Clergy back same-sex marriage

It is obvious that "SOME" of the so called clergy are guided by Saten himself.

When asked to define a Christian, Jesus said, "By their love for one another you will know them." So whenever I hear a hate group doing unto others as they would not have done unto themselves, I am reminded of Jesus saying, "He who says he loves God, but hates his fellow man, is a liar."

Science is demonstrating to us that all fetuses start out female and some develop male characteristics. Sometimes the sex change is both physical and mental, sometimes not. Sometimes we are born hermaphrodite. We are educated and sophisticated enough in this great nation not to discriminate against women. It is time we all stand up for every sexual variation that we Americans are. Discrimination is not only immoral, ant-Christian, it is un-American, and one of the reasons that Thomas Jefferson abhorred traditional churches.

Seeing these church leaders stand up for children of God makes me believe they understand the Beatitudes. The sacrifices of both Jesus and Jefferson have not been in vain. God bless America and all His children therein.

WE do not hate the gays,just normal people that read the bible will understand,how can you have children,join together as one,NORMAL!!!,I feel so much pity aand not hate for these type of people doing their love making,having Christmas gifts but ignoring the bible other wise,sickning.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Satan himself are the gay.

Since Gunn States “I cannot fathom a God who would discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity,” lets just leave ethnicity out of this as it has nothing to do with the issue and perhaps the book she is reading is from the fiction section as the following passages forbid homosexuality as well as transgender behavior and dressing: Leviticus 18:22-24; Leviticus 20:13; Deuteronomy 22:5; Romans 1:26-32; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5-6; Colosians 3:5-6 and Jude 1:7-8. Please take a long, hard look at Romans 2:1-4 and Matthew 18:1-7, which are warnings to people in general, and those who preach-teach others about the word of God. Maybe this will enlighten you a bit. I would really like for people such as these to point out the passages that contradict so maybe I also could be enlightened

It sickens me the way people quote the "love scriptures" to justify sick "church goers". These churches mentioned in this article are far from being Christian and it's these churches that make the real Christian churches look bad. The real Christians are considered fanatics, bible thumpers, and no telling what else because they believe the Word of God. And to think articles like this make the news. If they want to be sick minded let them do it behind closed doors and keep the public out of it.

Satan=Michael Heath and his followers

Sick, twisted freaks. I knew this was coming down the pike after they passed the law to give gays more rights. Remember question 1 a few years back? This is the push to shove gay marriage down our throats. We need to stick up for our traditional morals and values that are being threatened. Please visit: http://www.mainemarriageamendment.com/

And "The Anti Christs" continue to spew their vomit all over their fellow man.

You so called Christians are the sick ones who should be praying to "God for Divine Forgiveness!"

#1- "I AM THY LORD THY GOD. THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME!"

And that certainly includes idolizing a black book with a cross on it!

bigfootinheels,

FYI, Catholics are NOT the only ones standig for what is right!!!

God is going to judge this country, and this world. In the end, righteousness WILL prevail!!!

It is sad to see in this day and age such bigotry and stupidity. Marriage is a committment, who's business is it if it is between a man and a woman or a woman and a woman or a man and a man?? Continuing to deny something like marriage between same gender couples is just burying your heads in the sand. I do not put my nose in your business, please keep your nose out of mine. Your trying to deny what is clearly not going to go away, and WILL eventually get passed is a waste of time. My RIGHT to love who I want to love is no more your business than it is my business of what sickness you do in the privacy of your own home.

By the way shame on BDN for giving this any press.

Common good, Marvin Ellison?To teach such immoral language and style of living for the God and creator of MAN and WOMAN ,to go out into the world and multiply. How in hell can gays and homos multiply?Thus to teach such immorality, you surely do not deserve to be noticed as a man of God , to be teachinjg against his creation. I want to call it a man or woman of satan!

Ethical and morally untemable, Becky Gunn ? Yes GOD does love all equally. But does God love sin? Is it realy ethical and moral for a woman to be with a woman or a man having oragy with a man?

I have a gay family member who lives with her gay girlfreind .I love them both very much ,my sister and her partner, but I will never want to go as far as to think they should have all the rights, that I and my wife should have with voes of 36 years of marriage.The sick things that the moral have to live with and except in our world just because you think they should be created equal by God. You as pastors of the world ,to teach the word of God to all mankind ,are as sick as the unetical and immorality gays and homosexuals in the world,who want to convince that what they are doing is O.K. Blessed be that I am here on this rock only to have a relationship with God and his given woman,[ my wife of 36 years now] to teach his love for one another, but that love does not go beyond his definition of relationship to multiply.

Mark Glovin! Mark Doty! Becky Gunn ! and all of you other churches or so called religious clergy of the world. ,MARK my word, right now you are all under the GUNN of God. You must think about asking forgiveness from GOD and repent of your sin,for the works for satan and this evil belief ,or MARK his words [ Revelation chapter 21:verse 8. Revelation chapter 22 verses 11thru 15.Genesis chapter 1:verses 26 ,27,28, in verse 28 ,underline words numbers 11,13,15,1719. ] All this reading from the HOLY BIBLE, the King James Version, not from some rule book of the clergy, based on the way he wants to think. You must stay totally focused to Gods word, not what you think that homosexuallity is O.K. .It's not! Let me assure you that I am thankful to God that he did not chose me to be a parishner of your evil congregations,or Mark Glovin, Mark Dty, Becky Gunn, reverands of the church of SATAN. My GOD says to pray for your needs and your prayers will be answered. He has not steered me wrong yet after 55 years of that belief . So I will pray, that if you reverends, are true leaders and teachers of the word of God, that you you don't end up in the sea of firery HELL, Just because your teaching to mankind that homosexuallity is alright to do and is submissable by GOD. Not GOD BLESS AMERICA--GOD DAMN AMERICA!

GOD bless YOU, when youb get right with GOD.

It's a sad day in Maine or any other state in the U.S.A. when our clergy decide that it's just fine to shove the Bible teachings of Jesus aside and condone homosexual behavior.

The problem these days is that people, especially our young people, can't differentiate loving a person that's the same gender as they are with sexual love. The movies, books, and the homosexuals themselves , are trying desperatly to make same sex marriage 'normal' . Not only is it not normal, it is a sin. We need to go back to teaching our children that there are many kinds of love and they AREN"T a homosexual because they love their best friend. They love their parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters and they love there best friends in that same way.

So many in the World today have no morals. It isn't 'alright' to ignore the teachings of Jesus'. When our clergy ignore the Bible and condone sinful behavior we know that Satan has taken over churches.

How about all you people reading the scriptures that 'lobstaroc' listed above . That is if you even own a Bible. It's still the "Best Selling" book in the World and you probably have one hiding in the bookcase. I would say to go to your clergyman and study it with him , but that seems to be be the wrong thing tp suggest these days.

God help us all !!!

Whatever happened to one man/one woman as stated in the Bible...................(the bible has been changed to be read how some groups of people want it to be understood)

OMG! Now someone is pretending to post as mainelyme! This situation is truly getting out of hand.

What Bible are these Clergy using? I hope they are using the NIV or King James--- anyways please read Mathhew 19:4-6 or 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (NIV).

This is straight out of the Bible itself. Nothing changed nothing added or subtracted. This is God's word on same sex. I am sure someone will comment on this being wrong or SOMETHING as no one seems to read or go by the Bible anymore............................

Anne_of_mdi...........Long before MainelyMe used that name I had a similar name....read it as i am NOT that person but added a 2 (TWO) (2) to mine. Thank you. (Used to use MainlyMe)

Have we really improved as a society since we have loosened up our social norms? This "anything goes" attitude has caused so much confusion with our youth for so long that we have lost our moral grounding.

Hey 4everyoung,

actually marriage is not just a commitment, it's a Holy Sacrement that's only available to a man and a woman. So no matter how hard you try you will never truly be married.

All your getting is rights, you're not really getting married, let me say it again, you are not really getting married.

It will just look that way.

Seeing this is very disheartening. Also, seeing some of the remarks shows the lack of understanding our society has about God's Word. God's word is the foundation and standard for truth in our world. It does not change as, God does not change. It applies today as it did 2,000 years ago. It is nice that people quote scripture in these instances but when you quote scripture, you have to look at it in context and if you are going to believe a part of the bible you must believe all of it. You can't pick and choose which part of scripture you want to accept and reject the rest. I agree that we need to love one another, that is commanded us in scripture but we don't have to love the sin in their life. We need to pray for people in our society as a whole. We need to also not allow the standards laid out in God's word to be changed. God instituted marriage as 1 man and 1 woman. Today we have approximately 50% of the marriages in and out of the church failing. Now we want to further destroy this Godly institute by changing that original design. Who are we to stand before God and tell Him he is wrong. God is love but God is just. In the day of judgement God will have many who say they are Christians, who go to church, who may say all the right things or portray to those around them they "ok" or "good enough" but God's response will be "depart from Me, I never knew you." My prayer is that someone may read this and consider where they stand with God, turn to the scriptures, recongize they are a sinner (as are we all,) and acknowledge the saving grace of God thru His son. Than, I pray, they will find a Bible believing, preaching church where the Word of God is taught each and every time some steps into the pulpit. Only than will our moral society change and improve. Lack of this happening, all I can say is, come quickly Lord Jesus.

So true bigfootinheels..............so true!!

The gays are sick to want too make love the way they do, they walk wierd,flap their hands,they are sick,Satan is twisting their minds.

you guys

Just the fact that it will be recognized is all I need. You and yours can enjoy your life and your rights and I can enjoy mine. As you go through life you should be a bit more accepting as Gays and Lesbians are everywhere, sitting by you in your house of worship, in the grovery store, maybe even your co worker or employer......someone you may be friends with. I hope, someday that sexuality does not have to paly a part in someone thinking I am a deviant, or immoral. I have morals,, and I am a good person. It is a sham that because of my personal choices, which by the way, do not have anything to do with you, since I am NOT sleeping with you, you are clearly expressing I am a social deviant.....I am sad for you. MY God loves me because I am made in His image, because I have a good soul and because He does not discriminate. I wish you and yours well. Take care.

"mainleyme quote:" And that certainly includes idolizing a black book with a cross on it! "unquote"

If you are going to use Scripture to put Bible based believers down, then how do you condemn us for using Scripture to support God's teaching that marriage is between a man & a woman? Are we not using the same book?

The morality in this country is falling farther and farther into degradation.. this must stop. We will answer for this one day.. doesn't anyone remember Roman history? This culture wasn't destroyed by outside forces.. it imploded for lack of morals, greed, profane living, etc... this country is following the same path.... I am so ashamed of "so-called" clergy that so go against Biblical teachings. In the Bible it states that those that teach and preach will be held to a higher standard than others by God.... I feel sorry for the people that are led astray by these clergy - from either the pulpit or the classroom.

And thank you MainleyMe2 for putting in the Scriptures.... how can anyone dispute it?

Too many of you are confusing Love with the Truth....The Truth is that Christ died for the sins of All (God's Love) but that does not mean that anything that man chooses to do is OK in the eyes of God....God is soverign which means he cannot condone sinful living which according to the Truths of the Bible homosexuality is categorized as being, SINFUL....an individual can turn away from his sin and find forgiveness in the eyes of God, but if you choose to live in sin and continue lying to yourself that it is OK then you will not have God's forgiveness from that particular sinning nor will God bless your life. Those of you who ask "what would Jesus Do"?? Jesus did this many times in his short public ministery...He confronted people with their sinful lifestyles and stated that if His forgiveness is what the person wanted then they MUST "Go and Sin No More"....Don't confuse Love and the Truth...

anne_of_mdi=for once I actually agree with you, the postings on this BDN site have become ridiculous and childess...people pretending to be someone else, etc. I think BDN should dump the whole lot of us and have everyone re-establish a user name---in other words, make the stupid pretenders work at creating multiple posting names again. To have nothing else to do with ones time but to play games as multiple posters must be nice(sad actually). They need to GET A LIFE!

"Sovereign"...sorry for the typo.....

This has already come to the citizens of Maine for a vote... WE SAID NO!! Why can't these Liberal Fanatics ever take no for an answer? They feel if they keep beating their drums it will change the majority's mind. Well we said NO dammit and we meant it!

For all the Christians that are calling those of a different sexual orientation, satan, queers and freaks, maybe you should do some further study into the Bible. I was raised Catholic, I was an alter server, I was baptized, had my First Communion and Confirmed in the Catholic Church. Then I was old enough to make my own choices and decisions, and haven't been back. I refuse to associate myself with a religion that degrades women and gays. We are ALL God's creatures my friends. Maybe the Cathlic Church's inability to revise "traditions" is what has led to the decline in it's followers. I want to attend a church where a woman can preach and where my friends (gay and straight) can join in celebration and praise of God. Praise the Lord. And praise those church leaders who have joined together, as one, to help turn Maine in the right direction. Thank you all, truly.

JLGLEN--people just don't want to hear read or know the real scriptures. It is twisted to their own use or flat out ignored. But thank you. I also agree with everything you say too. I guess people have to justify why they do what they do which is human nature. But in the end we all face the same maker no matter how we have lived or what we have defended, said or done with our lives.

4everyoung,

Recognized by whom? The person you should worry about recognizing it is not your neighbor or your mate or the state. You are misguided, God will never recognize "Marriage" between homosexuals.

I think you have been strapped with an affliction you have no control over. I do not think you are a deviant, I do not shun homosexuals, I treat them as I treat anyone else. But, when you want to start talking about what's recognizable and what's seen in God's eyes as being O.K. you need to be prepared to hear the truth. God does not recognize marriage as anything other than the Sacrement shared between a man and a woman. God will no doubtedly recognize gays as gays. I'm sure he doesn't sit up there and say "They're not gay, I don't make gay people" It is a long road you are walking. There are things you can do to save your soul just like the resto of us. Don't practice homosexual activity. So you are not an outcast, but you cannot claim to be married in the true sense. It's not possible to be a homosexual and be married as married is defined by God.

Lobstarok---Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU! You told it the way it is for the throne of God's word.I was not even aware of so many passages on this issue. You adressed it well with the point of the sword straight from the word. THE HOLY BIBLE. These three pastors on this issue should go to church this coming sunday morning and to find not one person in the pews to hear Gods word from them. They should be litterally thrown off the pulpit right this very moment for teaching such trash to carry on to all the gaybies and homos children.But of course we the people for the true CHRIST and God himself know that as long as there is satin and his workers like Mark Glovin, Mark Doty and Becky Gunn working for him ,the world will never be blessed completly any more than was Sodom and Gomorrah. We are all born as sinners, so not even one of us deserves the right to live, but thank God for the reson of his son for us all. BUT homosexuallity and gaylisbian ways of this life , in all respect , there is none and it should not be promoted, that it is alright. We all ,even the gays and homos know its wrong, they just don't know how to deal with reality and Gods rightiousness.

The gay people flaunt themselves in public so is effecting the filthy ways they live,their souls are in satan hands ,they should seek mental and spirit help,God will forgive their sin ways he is love,put you have to pray to him,not seek the filth that now is in public,how disguisting,it does hurt the public!!

Marriage, before anything else, in this State is a civil matter. When my wife and I got married 16 years ago, we obtained a license from the State, not from a church. We chose to keep it a secular affair, Jesus-free, as is our Constitutional right. If we divorce, it will be decided by a court and a judge, not a priest, minister, guru... If you wish the sanctification of your marriage by some religious entity, more power to you. That my wife and I chose not to, does not make our marriage any less a marriage than those sanctified by a church, priest, or minister. Religion does not define marriage.

Your religious beliefs are your's alone. Don't burden me or others with your beliefs.

Seriously? What happened to the separation of church and state that our country is founded on, so that no person in discriminated agianst for their religious beliefs, or lack there of. For the purpose of government marriage is a legal and binding contract that should have nothing to do with some one's religious beliefs. A man should be able to marry a man or a woman should be able to marry a woman, just as a man and a woman can be married in this country. I know that most Catholics/Christians have a hard time understanding this, but not every one follows your faith and laws should not be made or not made simply because it does not follow your belief system. And to the argument that marriage should only be allowed between a man and a woman to multiply. Well then I guess all of the infertile couples or couples who do not plan to have children should not be allowed to get married either, based on that line of reasoning.

I can not believe that people are still so ignorant to teach hate and intolerance to their children. Homosexuality in the media does not confuse children and they are not going to become a homosexual because they saw it on TV. Get real. What confuses kids is the fact that our country is so repressed that parents don't simply explain to kids any thing about sex until they are old enough to have figured it out on their own. I have explained all of these things to my nine year old daughter who completely understands the difference between the love she feels for her best friends vs the kind of love that happens in an intimate relationship.

I just wish people would stop being so intolerant of others and realize that love is a wonderful thing and should be celebrated and not discriminated against.

Tellie,

Catholics don't degrade women and gays. Maybe the real reason you left was you couldn't abide by the laws of God and felt so guilty you couldn't truthfully claim to be a follower of God. That's usually the case.

It's not a sin to be gay, most are born that way. But it is a sin to live a gay lifestyle. Like PabMainer said, you can turn away from the sin. Just like the rest of us.

And believe me, in the eyes of God these so called clergy members promoting same sex marriage are of little importance, they are propogating the lifestyle that He himself has denounced. Do you really think he recognizes them as being true Christians?? They should not me commended for their efforts, they should be prayed for!!!

Tellie,

Catholics don't degrade women and gays. Maybe the real reason you left was you couldn't abide by the laws of God and felt so guilty you couldn't truthfully claim to be a follower of God. That's usually the case.

It's not a sin to be gay, most are born that way. But it is a sin to live a gay lifestyle. Like PabMainer said, you can turn away from the sin. Just like the rest of us.

And believe me, in the eyes of God these so called clergy members promoting same sex marriage are of little importance, they are propogating the lifestyle that He himself has denounced. Do you really think he recognizes them as being true Christians?? They should not me commended for their efforts, they should be prayed for!!!

I believe you should be able to have your union but to ask God to bless it is hypocritical.If you believe that the bible is the devine word then you know that it can't be blessed.I believe that God loves us all just as we are and his love never is lost.I also feel that the Christian church must take a stand against gay marriage.

Having said that, I feel that there needs to be a recognition of the homosexual union.

sdemetri,

people with your views are not to be given any airtime. this is a religous conversation, if you're not religous stay out of it, you don't have anything to worry about anyway.

First of all, as Christians we hate the sin but love the sinner. So lets get that straight first. These clergy and ministers are not of God. They may be of Satan or some other being, but not from God. The Bible warns us of false prophets dressed in sheeps clothing and I believe this is what we see here. If you chose to support same sex marriage and homosexuality that is your right. We were given the right to make our own choices. Just as it is my right not to support it, but at least lets try and be civil about it. We will all find out who was right and who was wrong when we leave this earth. For your sake you had better hope that you are. If you are wrong then pick up a Bible at the library or somewhere and check out your eternal dwelling place.

Ok~~sdemetri~~Yon can't have much belief & faith in your civil marriage. Your statement "If We Divorce" gives you away as a fool. Marriage is a Sacrament and in the eyes of "God" FOREVER between a man and a woman. I think I will pray for you too.

I see the right wing Christian coalition is at its best today. The basic principal of Christianity is to love all of mankind and to be a good person and have faith. It is not to judge your neighbor. If you believe in God or a supreme being, than it is for them to sit in judgment of each and every person. Have you ever considered that when it is your time to be judged, one of the criticisms may be that you sat in judgment of your neighbor? A true Christian will accept people for their failings and treat them with respect, dignity and the way they would want someone to treat them. They would leave the judgment to a higher power.

I am not a religeous person, however I have read the Bible enough to wonder, and also enough to beleive that if there is a God that the clergy that back anything to do with leagalizing gay marriage will be seeing a lot of us in hell. Let the gays stay in the closet and not bother anyone with their beleifs and they can be with the clergymen.

And these "clergy" will soon have a friend in the White House!

True Bible believers, stand by!! We haven't seen anything yet!!!

It is funny to me to hear all of this religious matter spewed out by all of your evil mouths. The one most important thing that Christ said is, do not judge, the sinners and prostitutes will get to heaven before ye who judges. The one true judge is god. We should leave the judging to he who is qualified. That doesn’t mean this legal system we have either. It doesnt mean the clergy either. They seem to think that they are right no matter what the bible says. Man arranges the lord’s work for what suits him at that time. In this day we are all evil. We cant help what scociety has displayed and put into our inocent minds from the time we are born. Dont judge. let god judge. you cant help what is put out there. None of us like it, we cant change it.

God already has judged it. HE calls it DETESTABLE, or as it is in the King James Version, an ABOMINATION!!!

It is so refreshing to see so many people in Maine cry out against the same sex marriages and the disgusting acts of gay people. Next thing on the agenda will be those people that want to marry their dogs or other animals because they "just can't help the way they were born", and the same thing with pedophiles.

That having been said, I want to know where all of you were hiding on election day when Barak Obama was ellected our president. He believes and has supported third term abortions and signed a bill that living aborted babies be left to die with no assistance.You think homosexuality is an abomination?, what don't you find disgusting about plunging scissors into the head of a baby that could survive outside of the womb and sucking its brains out so the skull collapses and the baby is delivered dead. Where in hell was the first commandment when you voted this man into office. I guess killing babies is a lesser sin in your eyes. Go online and you can easily find videos of an actual abortion, look at the little hands and feet of the butchered parts of these fetuses and know that you will be responsible for more of this barbaric behavior.

Where were all you moral conservatives when this daily liberal rag has supported very openly all liberal agendas.

Picking and choosing the values and morals that you like is a rapidly growing cancer in our society today. For me killing is never a choice, it is God's first commandment, as in "thou shalt not" do it!!

When someone is living a lifestyle that God calls detestable then you are not judgeing them. The Word of God has already judged them. As I said earlier, as Christians we should hate the sin but love the sinner. We will be judged on how we treat each other.

First of all, for all of you who are quoting the King James version of the Bible, he made his own religion because the Vatican said he could not have a devorice. He then created his own religion to suit his needs. Second, the Bible was originally written in Hebrew and has been translated and revised countless times and the results also reflect the views of the revisor. Third, althought he Bible is supposed to be the word of God, do you actually believe that the men who originally wrote down exactly what God told them, or for that matter when the Bible was translated do you think the exact mean was correctly translated? Man is flawed and man also wrote the Bible, connect the dots. For proof of this look at the difference between the Old and New Testaments.... I know many homosexual people and they are outstand citizens with excellent morals. I went to Catholic school with a boy whose mother has a female partner and he has no confussion and has very health heterosexual relationships. Also, the Bible does say not to judge others regardless if you believe they are "living their lives in sin".

Again, incbs3636, we don't judge something like this. GOD already has!!!

toothfairy...You got it right! I just love my cat---lets get the clergy together and allow me to marry the cat, what the heck, can't get pregnant by the thing, can't consumate the marraige the way a man a woman do, so hey, what the heck/ Same thing as gay marraige, right?

God may have, but what everyone is saying on this post is actually judging as well. It is not our place to say someone is of satan or is living in sin. God will decided this and we have no right accusing other people of this, that IS judging.

Kind of makes you wonder why the clergy are for this? Hmmmmmmmm?

INCBS if I say the sky is blue, i'm not judging it to be blue. I'am just stating what it is. If I start saying it is the bluest sky anyone has ever seen, then maybe you could say I made a judgement. Pointing out what is sin as stated by the Bible is just a plain fact of the faith. It isn't a judgement. Say who you think is sinning or how bad would be a judgement.

Simple redefinition does away with the "problem" as France has done for a long time. Marriage as a sacrament, the bestowing of which is the province of organized religions AND CARRIES NO LEGAL STATUS; marriage/civil union as a entering into a legal contract as a couple which is the province of civil authority. Why do "we" insist on commingling the two?

Big Foot- I am sorry. The Catholic Church does not degrade women or gays, it just doesn't allow them (gays or lesbians) to be members of the Church, or to be priests. I'm all for equal rights man, gay, lesbian, male, female... We should all be given the same opportunities and rights. I look forward to when the question comes before the state again. And, if any members of the clergy backing the movement for gay and lesbian marriage and rights are reading this, please post a link or email so I can become involved in the movement. Thanks! (Oh, and I am a Christian and I do my best to follow God's way, but I am a sinner just as I imagine you are too. Sinners are God's children too, right? Or is my ticket a one way, all expense paid trip to hell?)

To Bigfoot, who typed:

"Catholics don't degrade women and gays". I beg to differ. The last time this was a voting issue, two years ago, I believe, a Catholic Church in a community that borders Bangor allowed the wife of a deacon to take the pulpit (the pastor was out of town and the deacon was forbidden by Church edict from commenting) and denounced gays and urged the parishoners to vote against the amendment, as it was "God's will". My wife and I, and many others, got up and walked out about 10 minutes into her remarks. We have never returned to that parish, nor will we. The founders of our nation spoke of the separation of church and state for good reason.

Yes, that is true, pointing out someone is sinning is not passing judgement, but that is not all that is going on here. There have been many accusations made that homosexuals and those who support them are in league with satan. That is most definetly passing judgement.

Concerned 15,

The very points you make are proof that you are not a religous person. Why are you in this chat?

If I were you I would want God to bless my union with my husband, some day you will both need His help with your marriage, that's when you will realize you've had it all wrong so far.

I'm not saying gays can't have rights. I'm saying it's wrong for Clergy to support something that God has already denounced.

God did not say women can't vote or denounce it

God did not say Black men can't marry a japanese women or denounce it

God did not say you couldn't adopt children or denounce it

God did however say that marriage was between a man and a women, and he did denounce the practice of homosexuality. Seems pretty cut and dry to me.

People like me do still exist to keep people like you informed.

"People like me do still exist to keep people like you informed."

Wow, you must think that everyone who does not think like you is wrong? It astounds me what some people will say...

Gunn says, "“I cannot fathom a God who would discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity,” she said. “My Universalist tradition believes that God loves everyone equally. Why then should we deny anyone who loves the right to make a lifelong marriage commitment?”"

I reply, AMEN!!!

To Lobstarok I say - Passages in the Bible that seem to condemn homosexuality are clearly the words of men from a time long ago who had no understanding of human sexuality. They were trying to understand, explain, and connect to God with their writings, and in doing so they sometimes forced their own words and attitudes onto God, who is much greater than anything ever written about Him.

To skipperskitchen I say, Who or what is Saten?

I am soooo sorry for all of you that are so scared of allowing everyone the rights and privileges of marriage. Do you feel that if some are allowed the right to be married that it is going to make your own marriage less valid. As far as I know of, Massachusetts and Connecticut haven't self-destructed or dropped off the face of the earth to burn in hell since allowing same sex marriage. Are you going to love your wife or husband any less if I am allowed the right to marry my partner and be afforded the same rights as another. Is your marriage going to mean any less? I hate that all of you hide behind your bibles and your churches and can't see that you are just as bad as those that persecuted others during various times in our history. Why can't you understand that we are not looking for SPECIAL PRIVILEGES..we are looking for the SAME privileges. We are ALL people, we just love differently. This doesn't mean that YOU are right and WE are wrong and shame on you for making the comparison to people marrying their pets or that the religious leaders that are in favor of this maybe gay themselves. We are NOT animals nor are we sinners. We are all people. I wish I could hate you as much as you hate me and my lifestyle, but in all honesty, I just feel pitty that you cannot look beyond your own hatred and ignorance to see that we just want the ability to have the same legal protection and rights as you. I am not going to try to cite scriptures nor am I going to rant about the differences between civil unions and marriage, honestly because I don't feel like the bible should have much to do with it. The bible is quoted so often in regards to this issue, but throughout the bible there are things that are mentioned and taught that are SOO against anything that would remotely be allowed in this day in age that I feel it's kind of a moot piont to bring it up as proof of god's will. As far as I was always told, God loved us all and made us who we are RIGHT?? So God made me this way for a reason, maybe just to stand up to you and fight for what should be rightfully ours. Anyways, I hope you know that this IS going to happen. It may not happen today, or tomorrow or maybe even a year from now, but EVENTUALLY we will be allowed the right to marry. I hope I am alive to see it happen, because when my partner and I have children and they grow up and ask me why we are married, I want to be able to say that the people of this country said that they no longer saw us as second class citizens and wanted us to live in a country where everyone was created equal, despite the fact that your mom and I loved differently than them.

MainelyMe2 :

I have over two thousand messages attributed to me over the years as Mainelyme on the New York Times' Blogs.

I also told the Bangor Daily News to have these message boards.

#*&%@ OFF!

emvirginia, I agree with you 100% about men thousands of years ago forcing their own words and attitudes into the Bible.

prtldgirl, very nice post! Know that there are those out here that support your cause.

Good explination INCBS, smart person~~~~~and toothfairy, you make me laugh~~~I pray you do not marry your cat..............

Let's have a group of Bangor-area Bible-believing pastors gather and hold a news conference expressing the opposing view!!!

Antonella: It sounds like the only minds that Satan "is twisting" is your own and a few others here. How about treating each individual in society as a person and stop using labels to define a person. Everyone should have equal rights. Do people really believe that a person wakes up one day and all of a sudden declares that they want to be gay? Do you really believe that they want to be discriminated against? I have a number of friends that are in same-sex relationships and I have got to say that I would take them as a friend any day over a Christian fanatic that believes they are above all others.

prtldgrl

Call it a union not a marriage. Remember marriage by definition is between a man and a women. You can't be married if your gay, you can only be united. It might not be a lower class but it is a different class.

Antonella: By the way, your judgement day will come too. I would probably worry about yourself.

WOW. The bigotry and hatred on here is amazing. I don't go to church. I do participate in a little self-prayer every now and again. I guess I believe there is a higher power. Not too worried about it though. I guess I'd rather live in this moment as opposed to living for something that may or may not happen after I'm dead. If a man wants to marry a man, who am I to judge. If a woman wants to marry a woman, who am I to judge. Hell, if a man or woman wants to marry their dog, who am I to judge (although its kinda hard for the dog to consent - a guy from Parkman did try once - but he was denied. Looks like it'll probably be a few hundred more years before humans evolve to that level of acceptance).

I try to "believe" in tolerance. And I try to accept people for who they are. As long as you don't try to force your beliefs or your lifestyle down my throat, then do what you want. I don't mind that most of you think people who are gay (notice-they are people first) shouldn't be allowed to marry, but it is the negativity and downright mean-ness with which you go about it that is scary. Especially when you go about acting like you are such do-gooders when we all know that not all of you are actually that good. And, in fact, there are probably a lot of people who are gay out there that are lot better people than you are. Maybe your eternal future is based on how you treat other people - ALL other people - during your life and not based on who you screw.

elmerfudd I like you...on this message board and on the cartoon...:)

Hey Lobstarok, Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law and reminding us that Leviticus 18:22 and the other passages clearly state homosexuality to be an abomination. ... End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Law and how to follow them.

When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord – per Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

Lev.15: 19-24 says that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual cleanliness. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations! A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination? Isn't lobster ("lobsta") considered to be shellfish?

Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?

I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? -> Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I can tell that you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

bigfootinheels, that is a great idea, kinda like segregation, and that worked....... (sarcasm)

Anyone that is BRAINWASHED by the church ought to get a life and carry on. In the end we all die and get put in the ground face it. So go about your business and save your words of wisdom and hope that the all mighty will save you. Quit passing the collection plate and start passing the beers! Jesus is a busy man answering all your prayers. Whata fakin joke.

Read the Words of Jesus in The new Testament. He is the Word of God . Too bad more don't try to live by it anymore. Mankind has condoned so many of the things called sin . Most of the sins were against man's laws too, but with so many doing them anyway it would be impossible to jail them all.

As to people hating homosexuals, most of us don't hate you at all. We just don't condone your lifestyle. I've been aquainted with several people over the years who were outwardly homosexuals. Unfortunately most of them died of AIDS.

Mainlyme---Your foul language isn't necessary on here. We all know you're gay and proud of it.

Bravo bdndilmor!

oh and PS - You can own Canadians, but why would you want to? Mexicans are much harder workers...

On 11/14/08 at 08:03 AM, MainelyMe2 wrote:

Anne_of_mdi...........Long before MainelyMe used that name I had a similar name....read it as i am NOT that person but added a 2 (TWO) (2) to mine. Thank you. (Used to use MainlyMe)

Get a life and also some original thoughts!

bdndilmor

good one.................literally, that was a good one.

After reading these posts, it is no wonder so many of us turned from RELIGION. Where in the Bible does it say anything about religion, anyway? God wants us to LOVE ONEANOTHER as He loves us all. So simple. RELIGION should stay out of these kinds of things and do as God wants. Love one -another. There is such a big difference between religion and spirituality. God is with me every day , all along the way. I don't need ,nor do I desire to praise God and our Lord in a place called a Church. God is in my heart and soul. I will do as He wants me to. I will love Him and ALL of His children. Without condition.

"On 11/14/08 at 08:03 AM, MainelyMe2 wrote:

Anne_of_mdi...........Long before MainelyMe used that name I had a similar name....read it as i am NOT that person but added a 2 (TWO) (2) to mine. Thank you. (Used to use MainlyMe) "

During the height of the democratic presidential primary race the Obama boosters who were busy openly calling Hillary Clinton a whore used to make every sort of an anagram of the name Perley J. Thibodeau to publish their vicious hate and to try to disprove the fact that I have over 2000 intelligent postings on various subjects attributed to me on the Times' Blog.

The Times used to erase their childish scrawlings when caught, and that showed that they not only had respect for Perley J. Thibodeau but also for their other readers, including themselves.

As I now refer to it as the president of the united states and the democratic party I feel it would behoove the Bangor Daily News to follow suit and protect other people's idenity and opinions before I stop reading it entirely, and start referring to it as the bangor daily news!

Perley J. Thibodeau

Mainelyme

ToothFairy,

Rest assured, all Conservatives did everything in their power to stop Barack Hussein Obama from being President. It was the moderates (RINOS, Democrat-lites) that allow Obama to become President, who support gay rights, and who support killing innocent babies, NOT CONSERVATIVES!

It will be the CONSERVATIVE REVOLUTION who brings this country back.

http://www.mainemarriageamendment.com/

The best part of discussions on equal rights that invoke religion is laughing at those that selectively quote scripture as some pathetic and misguided rationale for their bigotted beliefs. I have to stop reading this discussion because my sides hurt, but before I do, I would like to send my best wishes to MainleyMe. I notices that they used of some choice words earlier in the discussion and hope that resulting stoning, as instructed by Lev. 24:10-16 and which will likely be carried out by the devout followers in this forum, goes smoothly. God Bless.

eastmainer

"Mainlyme---Your foul language isn't necessary on here. We all know you're gay and proud of it."

Then you know somethng about me that even I'm not aware of.

Try a humanatarian, and also try being one yourself!

Anyone who took Human Sexuality 101 is quite aware that there are people who are born with defects in their sexual organs just as their is with a club foot or something else. Medical Science is Now aware of this and has procedures to correct that. Often it was the wrong call at birth as to whether it is a girl or boy. But, more than not, it is an event in the person's life that turns them against the other gender. This is Choice! not defect.

Choosing to be gay, because it is the trendy, thing to do these days is just a cop out for trying to justify your perverse nature. Why don't you look to what nuclear testing does to the human being, plenty of soldiers from past wars who came home and had vasectomies so as not to bring a deformed child into this world. Chemical warfare destroys, contaminates and deforms everything in its past. Mercury in the waters does also... Major company polutions also. Look to your skies and the white clouds are now brown and some black even. That is what you allow the government to keep producing.

I wrote along time ago that Zionists, marxists, gays have unified here in MAINE to try to change our VOTE and WAY OF FAMILY LIFE! They want socialism/nationalism. Complete control of you and your families. Looks like they are making their move in the guise of the GAY CLERGY! Send them home packing IN GOD WE TRUST!

concerned 15:

Those who know much say nothing, Those who know nothing say much.

All your remedies don't add up to much. Just keep taking God for granted, you'll see. Ignorance is bliss I suppose...........

baltimorean

I already have an operable gall stone.

Does that count!

WHERE IS THE CATHOLIC BISHOP AND JUST WHAT IS HE DOING IF ANYTHING REGARDING THIS ABNORMALCY?

JMill85 - couldn't have said it any better. And your use of a George Carlin quote..BRILLIANT...BLOODY BRILLIANT...

Doesn't this topic bring out the sickos? 1. The bible doesn't condemn homosexuality. 2. The bible isn't relevent to our secular society even if it did. 3. Marriage is only defined as 1 man and 1 woman in areas heavily influenced by misguided Chrisitans elsewhere polygamy or polygany is the standard therefore marriage does not have one definition. 4. Gay marriage does not affect "your" morals if you are straight nor does it affect your marriage. No social harm has been found that would bar gay marriage. Gay marriage does not affect the "institution" of marriage whatever that is.

What is threatened here is the bigots male chauvinist world view. That's why they cherry pick the bible and say all these silly things.

Marriage conveys over 1000 Federal and States rights and priveleges. To bar anyone from marriages requires a secular, compelling social harm.

All religon and morals and hate asside. The governor of this state has a homosexual sibling, thats why now gays can have their lovers on their insurance but not straight people. One of the ministers in the photo of this article preaches at the gay church in Bangor.

I don't dislike gays I don't understand it and since I'm not gay I never will. I look at them as people who have a right to live and work in peace. I don't share my love life with people and I don't want to hear about anyones either.

I don't think they need to get married but then I think a lot of non homosexuals should not either.

However since the church should stay out of politics but hasn't perhaps they'll be willing to start paying state and federal taxes to show just how serious they are about back same sex marriages? And maybe the governor should pass a law saying non homosexual can insure their lovers too.

Maybe it would soothe injuried feelings and perhaps go a long way in a peacful settling of this.

The symbols of sodom, Egypt, and Jerusalem in the book of Revelation stand for sexual perversion, intrusion of government power, and apostate church teaching...the intrusion of satan into the Christian CHurch. Backing nonhate crime is one thing but sanctioning sodomy etc is making oneself a minister of satan. You can't love God with a holy body...the sanctuary (Gk.naaos) of God and the temple (naos) of the Holy Spirit and commit sexual perversion. So, yes, these ministers of satan and the god of this world will eventually get their way for a time but when God has had enough of the staining of His Body, the Church, look out perverted mouths of deceit, lies and unrighteousness.

fitlh, lies, FICTION FICTION FICTION.....in the 3rd chapter of lord of the rings...it says, "though shalt not love trolls." I hate trolls, we must exterminate them and not allow them to have civil rights because I beleive that lord of the rings is the word of god and therefore should be able to intrude in other peoples lives!!!

Bigfootinheels.....

you cant respond to any of it because you dont allow yourself to get into any sort of conversation with anyone who believes anything different than you. how do you learn? How do you further yourself in any way? Or are you okay with living a life on a one minded track?

your bogus quote that you used is just another riduclous way you use religion to back up your nonsense. what does it even mean? because you dont respond and "say nothing" that makes you a better person. Why do we live in America? You should always question .... you should always ask why?

what are you going to do when Maine approves same-sex marriages? I would like to be a fly on the wall just to see what hateful rude things you come up with on that day....

bigfootinheels, that's what we are talking about....I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO CALL IT SOMETHING ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that's the point. I am NO DIFFERENT THAN YOU! I still breath oxygen, I still am made of bones and blood and flesh. I still have emotions and feelings. I have parents and a job and two dogs. I am NOT a second class or DIFFERENT class. I am a human being. There is a HUGE population of gay individuals out there, and as the world is changing, so will the politics. The world isn't segregated anymore. African Americans are allowed to attend school with white children, Jewish individuals can walk down the street without being scared of being picked up just because of their beliefs, women are allowed to work and receive the same pay as men, THE WORLD IS CHANGING!!! Due to this, so don't the politics. The united states is called a "meltingpot" for a reason.

I often wonder what would happen of the children of these individuals came home to their parents that are so static in their beliefs and told them they were gay. Would you look at your son or daughter and tell them you love them in the same breath that you tell them that you couldn't be in favor of giving them the same rights as your other heterosexual child. Or would you disown them? Would you go on and treat them differently, or maybe they wouldn't tell you at all because of their fear that you wouldn't understand nor support them or their lifestyle. I wonder what would happen if you removed the bible from the equation and you didn't have anything to hide behind and were faced to have this conversation with your own mind, your own thoughts and experiences to draw from. Would you be able to form a just argument as to why this is such a bad idea???

Most of you sound so crazy. Two humans want to commit to eachother. They don't want to murder someone, they just want to have the same rights that other humans have. Get over it.

Would God encourage drug use, excessive drinking or any human activity that would bring sickness into the body, mind, or spirit? God would never do that. Homosexuality is unhealthy for the mind, the body, and the spirit. There is nothing good that comes out of the homosexual life style. Homosexual behavior brings sickness to the body, mind, and spirit. The christians should not attack or hurt the homosexual community but they should not encourage the behavior. And as a nation we should not pass any law that makes it easier for them to live the lifesyles. Homosexuality does not offer anything good to society as a whole.

God does not want us to judge the sinner, we are all sinners. But He does want us to judge the sin.

Look, we all have our temptations. Some it's drinking too much, drug use, gossip, excess shopping. It's something some of us have to really struggle against. Homosexuality is the same. It is a temptaion some have and like every other temptation, they have to ask God for the grace to walk away from it. Sin seperates us from God. All sin does.

The hyper-sexual society we live in is perfect soil for this type of sin. Our children are bombarded by sexual stimulation constantly. They are not mentally and emotionally ready to process this stimulation. So it causes confusion in the immature mind and spirit. I t makes it easier for them to make decisions in their lives that are truely not their own.

People who are tearing the Bible apart for not being relevant to today are actually substantiating the truth of God's Word. Over and over again in the New Testament we are told of the apostasy in the last days--lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, etc. It also states how they are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith, evil men and seducers who will wax worse and worse, deciving, and being deceived, and how the time will come (and is here) when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they will turn their ears from the truth, and will be turned unto fables. The Word of God also tells us that there will come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, who have forsaken the right way and have gone astray. So here we are, in the last days, and there are choices to be made, and choices have consequences. The Bible says, "Let God be true and every man a liar." In other words, at the end of the day, it doesn't matter what our own prideful thoughts and opinions are, God's Word will overrule them all. God's Word is sure, and it will endure. A lot of bloggers are dis-ing religion. Well, it's not about religion, it's about a relationship. Being religious means nothing to God. His question is, "What have you done with my Son?" He wants to know whether or not you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It's not about being religious, it's not about our so-called good works, or our feelings of being self-righteous, for the Bible says that all have sinned, that all have come short of the glory of God, and that all are condemned, and that all need the Savior--the perfect sacrifice. Jesus Christ is that perfect Sacrifice. Jesus Christ is without blemish, without spot, without sin. And He took upon Himself the sins of the entire world, taking our punishment, paying the penalty for our sins, that we might be forgiven, and that we might be restored to a right relationship with God. Someone brought up questions in regards to all the laws and commandments in the Old Testament. What is the function of the law? Galatians tells us that the law cannot give life. It was given in order to show us how every single one of us are sinners, having broken one of God's laws or another. The law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. The law couldn't save us. It was there to point out our sinfulness and our need for the Savior. Galatians 2:16 says, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." It is true that God loves each and every one of us. It is true that every single person on the face of the earth were created by Him--every single person is God's creation. But not every person is His child. Not every person is in His family. We all can become His child. We can all be adopted by Him. He's made the way through Christ for us to come to Him and to become His child. But it is an individual choice. The question is: do you want to be His child, or not? I pray you do. He's waiting for you. Just call upon Him today. Receive His Son as your Savior, and you will become a child of God. Simple as that. Choose life, that you might live.

REALLY???? Wow, I would NEVER of known that. Thank you for pointing it out to me. Can you be a bit more specific about how my lifestyle is unhealthy?

It wasn't until I engaged in my current relationship that I stopped doing the excessive drinking, the illicit drug use, thinking that I didn't deserve happiness. I am happy, healthy and more productive now that I ever have been before...but your right, my loving, caring, and overall wonderful relationship must be unhealthy....again..thank you for pointing that out. So what is your remedy?? How do I make myself "healthy"?

and I beg to differ Elizabethann. You can walk away from a beer. You can walk out of the mall so you don't buy that new Prada bag, you can avoid talking about other people. You can go to NA or rehab to get out of the habbits of drug use. I CAN'T CHANGE WHO I AM NOR WOULD I WANT TO. I AM WHO I AM. Homosexuality isn't a temptation, it is a way of life. Do you think I am happy to be persecuted against? Do you think I chose to be different? No, but this is who I am.

prtldgirl wrote: "as the world is changing, so will the politics."

Those things do and will change. GOD does not. HE said, "I AM the LORD; I change not."

and who was it that said "We live by the sword, we die by the sword"?

gay people gross me out!

You Bible thumpers are sick.

In my constant prayers I explain to God that I don't want to be with my former relatives I want to be with my friends.

There's no fear that I'll ever be with any of you on the other side as, I've led too devout a life

If what you say is true then you might just as well continue to hate the sinner and start to openly love the sin.

In your cases all's now lost anyway!

Concerned and PRTLDGRL

I haven't paraphrased the bible once in these posts. You guys are missing the point.

You don't have to defend yourselves. CONCERNED has lost her way with God, there is no hope for her.

PRTLDGRL, my niece is gay, I love her and of course I think gays should have civil rights. I do not in any way shape or form think they should participate in the Sacrement of Holy Matrimony, she is getting married soon and I'm not going because I cannot be a witness in good faith for her, I would be renouncing my own religion. You all are talking about something that can never be obtained by homosexuals. You first need to define correctly what you are talking about. It seems as though you are just fighting for civil rights for gays??

It really has nothing to do with Marriage..........Marriage has nothing to do with politics or class or a melting pot or the changing world. When you put it in that context it loses it's luster.

All the rest of us are trying to do is to hold it in high regard, it's bad enough we have to watch gays hook up on MTV, if you guys get your way we'll have to worry about our kids watching you get married too.

By the way did you see the pregnant man on the news yesterday..................I guess he's entitled to that and our kids should be exposed to it so they know that the world is changing and "evolving"

Have you had coffee with god? Did you guys get together and go bowling or go grab a Subway sandwich?? No, some guy at some point in time decided to record "the word of god".....no one know what god said. Even if there is some spirit up there somewhere, I'm sure that even he has changed his opionion once or twice in the grand scheme of things. And I reapeat what I said earlier....stop hiding behind your bible, churches, priests, ect. and come at me with thoughts of your own. Take the bible out of the equation.

In regards to this article entitled: "Clergy Back Same-Sex Marriage (End to discrimination sought)" , God's Word is the final authority, and what these clergymen and clergywomen are saying does not line up with God's Word. Therefore, it is false doctrine and is to be rejected. "But there were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you... (2 Peter 2:1-3a). 2 Peter goes on to tell us that they are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest, and that they speak great swelling words of vanity, and that they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. They promise "liberty", but they themselves are the servants of corruption. They are in bondage themselves. Jesus calls them "blind guides". We're warned in 2 Corinthians 11 to beware or anyone who comes preaching another Jesus, or to receive another spirit, or another gospel, for they are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Just like the serpent (Satan) beguiled Eve gthrough his subtility, so too do his "ministers" seek to beguile people through their subtilty, seeking to corrupt minds from the simplicity that is in Christ. Be warned....these people are not of God. They are leading people away from the way, the truth, and the life that we can have in Jesus.

I am glad your niece is gay. I am glad she feels like a strong enough of a women in her beliefs to do what she wants when there are so many people, including yourself that feel so strongly for the opposite. I am sorry for you that you cannot get out of your own way to celebrate with her. Marriage is defined as a man and women, but that is what needs to change. Marriage should mean the union of two individuals who want to live together and share themselves with each other for their entire lives. Whether a man and women, two women or two men. If you have such a problem with what's on MTV, change the channel. If your so concerned with what your children watch, block those channels from tv. I would hope that you would allow your children to decide their own opionions on this issue when they are old enough to have one. We are not asking you to attend every gay marriage, we are just asking for the right to have a marriage if that is what we choose.

Am I fighting for civil rights...I am fighting for each individual of this country to have the same rights as the next, with everything that includes. I am not asking for special privileges, I am asking for the same. As for the pregnant man, I honestly don't really have an opinion. I haven't heard much, and unlike certain individuals, I will refrain from talking about things I know nothing about.

Marriage is between a MAN and a WOMAN anything else, in my opinion, is absolutely disgusting. I literally get ill when I see same sexed couples and, when I see a man kiss a man I want to throw up. I liked it better when it was behind closed doors.

Sadly, those still lost and without Christ don't realize that we who now have a relationship with the Lord were once in the same position as you are, doing the same things you are, and heading down the same slippery slope you are. But one day Jesus came to us with hope and we believed Him and we received Him as our Savior from sin. And that's when we found true peace and were made spiritually whole. Now we no longer have a big hole in our hearts. Jesus has filled that hole--that emptiness. What drugs, and liquor, and relationships, etc could not do, Jesus has done. Now we can say, "Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee (Psalm 73:25). 1 Corinthians lists the sins that keep us out of the kingdom of God. They are the same sins those who are in Christ now once committed. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." Oops...looks like none of us can inherit the kingdom of God because all of us have committed at least one of those sins. But here's the key to the kingdom: "And such WERE some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, AND BY THE SPIRIT OF OUR GOD." Jesus wants to bring you to God. Won't you let Himj? We did, and we have no regrets whatsoever. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He came for the "sick"--the spiritually diseased--to save, deliver, and heal them. He came for ME and He came for YOU. I chose to accept His offer. What do YOU choose?

do you kiss your boyfriend or girlfriend behind closed doors?

hey we don't make the rules.....GOD DOES!!!!!!!!!!!!

interesting comeback..............

prtldgirl, the Bible CANNOT be taken out of the equation!

again......intersting come back. I guess your right. If you WERE to take it out of the equation, you would have nothing to say.

Yes I do. That would be my HUSBAND of over 20 years, he is a man and I am a WOMAN. Do we walk down the street holding hands, yes we do. Would I make out with him at the mall, on the street, or anywhere in public, no, I wouldn't. Of course, a peck on the cheek is decent no matter where.

I'm glad to hear that and congradulations on being married for 20 years. That is quite a feat now a days. I am glad that you still hold his hand in public, and wouldn't make out with him at the mall, on the street or anywhere in public. I agree, a peck on the cheek is decent no matter where. I would say the same for a gay couple as well. I don't see too many same sex couples "making out" in public though.

I'm sure 90% of you bible bumpers don't believe in evolution either.

Hi prtldgirl - thanks for the kind words. What I meant by "behind closed doors" is when it wasn't all over the news, on every magazine cover, discussed by church or state, etc.... I have a friend who is gay, when he told me he was gay and was happy I was happy for him. But, I did ask him not to kiss, hug or hold hands with his "friend" in front of my children (this was 15 years ago when my kids were young). I just don't think it's appropriate. I don't like the flamboyancy, I don't like the "in your face" tactics, I don't like how certain individuals are trying to re-write the constitution, etc.. To me, marriage is sacred and it's between a man and a woman and there is no two ways around it for me. If someone is gay, fine, be gay - I just don't want to see it. I honestly think it wrong and goes against everything I believe in. Now, I am not quoting anything out of the bible, God or Jesus or anything like that. I believe what I believe and it has nothing to do with the bible or anything of the sort. I am just saying, my personal belief is, always has and always will be that marriage is between a man and a woman.

John64, thank you very much for your words. I appreciate and respect your views. You are entitled to them as I am entitled to mine. 15 years ago, I agree. It probably wasn't appropriate for that to be going on and in your home, infront of your children, you retain the right to do and ask what you want for your household. I would never try to infringe in what people do in their own homes. I agree about flamboyancy, however I think we have a different definition. I don't feel that two individuals holding hands or giving another a peck while in public is being flamboyant. I think that is two individuals sharing love for one another, just like you peck your husband on the cheek. And going back to being gay without shoving it in anyones face, and what that has to do with gay marriage, we are not trying to shove anything in anyones face.

The Word of God is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Bible clearly tells us that not even one word is of man's interpretation, but given by God. The Word further tells us that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness..". Nothing in the Bible has ever been scientifically disproven, yet the Bible has upheld many scientific discoveries. Understand, though, the Bible is the Word of God, not a science manual. The Bible is a manual on right living with God. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men (people). It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and live self-controlled, up-right and godly lives in this present age." The Bible clearly tells us, in both the Old & New Testaments that homosexualit is a perversion and a sin and to refrain from it. God commands us not to sin but to follow Him and that "This is love for God: to obey his commands." The "clergy" quoted in this article are clearly wolves in sheeps clothing and I pray that they humble themselves, repent, and "kiss the Son, lest he be angry" and they are destroyed by their own will.

blah blah blah blah blah......that's what I am hearing.......

prtdgirl...I have family and friends who are homosexual..I love them dearly. I do believe some have more of an inclination toward homosexuality because of enviroment, trauma, some resolved emotional issue. There are some who choose the lifestlye as a form of rebellion toward parents or society.

To those who rude and insulting, there is no need for that. That's sin too.

for the one who said you'll be in hell with the rest of your friends...there is no such thing in hell as friendship. That's what he wants you to believe.

For those who are trying to be holy people, keep trying, keep praying don't give up.

Hmm. I may be old, but I remember that the Bible gives a historical account of Sodam and Gomarrah being destroyed because of all the wickedness, and homosexuality is specifically mentioned. Additionally, in my Faith, we are taught to love all, judge none, and let all judge for themselves how to act (free agency). This does not mean that we are to legalize and sanction gay marriage. Our founding fathers believed in God and wrote the constitution based upon the beliefs that they held dear and were persecuted for. Any clergy that clearly identifies themselves as Christian based and following the words of Christ can not truly support gay marriage, because they would then be defying the tenents of the Christian faith and God's teachings to avoid homosexuality. Furthermore, they are clearly confusing the line between Church and State, thus their opinions should be rendered as invalid.

I'm glad that you are open enough to accept friends and family who are homosexal. I agree, ther are probably people who do engage in different lifestyles for different reasons, however I am sure there are plenty of people who engage in the heterosexual lifestyle who are gay simply because of the fear that they may have living in a world where people don't accept them nor want them to be afforded the same rights and privileges as another.

How is it that a person who claims to be a leader and respected authority can twist, manipulate and just plain fabricate the Bible?? The bible states very clearly that homosexuality is a sin, and that marriage is between a man and a woman. Ephesians goes in to great deal on the roles that both a man and woman play in the marriage so that their union is a complete one; two flesh becoming one. Now, I understand how Becky Gunn can get is wrong, because she is preaching falsehoods every day she stands at a pulpip and tries to lead people. What I can not understand is where these people went wrong? Where did they come up with these false interpretations and inturn, why are they being allowed to spread the false teachings around to the masses who follow them? How can any person of faith read the bible and then state that God wants us to be tolerant of something that is clearly a sin? What I feel is the greatest atrocity here though, is the fact that these three and their coalotions are claiming to be delivering a message from God, and that this message is being spread as truth and getting large amounts of publicity on the front page of a newspaper. These folks are spreading lies, they are teaching lies, creating lies, and inturn those who choose to follow them are also speading, learning and harboring lies. This is truely sad for if they are learing and accepting this lie, one has to wonder what other lies they are part of, what other lies are they using to base not only their lives here on Earth, but their afterlives. Finally, I would like to ask, how are these "pastors and preachers" any different than any other cult out there. Yes, they believe they are spreading truth, but that is also the belief of other cults. The only difference between these people and other well known cults is that they are not plaining mass sucides and large stand offs with police.

Please, before you take the word of any man on the thoughts and beliefs of the Bilble, please take the time to get a copy of it and read it yourself. Verify these people and make them speak and teach the truth, and condem them and hold them to these truths if they should ever consider to spew the lies of Satan himself.

JESUS was A Homo

prtldgirl

I think that's all you'll ever hear.

My children are exposed to this crap all the time. It makes me sick to think that their innocence is already lost at this young age (4)(5) They shouldn't have to see what they see, there are some things that are just not appropriate. Somewhere my little girl heard the song "I kissed a girl" when she finally figured out it was a girl singing the song she turned to me with her big blue eyes and asked me the most honest question, and I had to concoct some story about how it was just a joke. I don't care what you say, anyone that supports any actions to bring out into the open gay people and their lifestyle, also is supporting the loss of innocence in little children that have to ask those questions at 5 years of age. You should all think about that when you are promoting your filthy lifestyle. I'll do the best I can until I die to prevent the corruption of my children on every level. You should be ashamed to be part of the "movement" that encourages bringing this garbage out into the open for all the little eyes to see. You will never understand because you will never have to answer your own little girls question, so don't try and give me a remedy for it.

I think there are bigger problems in the world than gays wanting their civil rights to join union. I think gays have come a long way to finally be equal as anyone else.

a male and a male cannot make children. a female and a female cannot make children. does anyone not get this?

prtldgirl: You asked the question, "Have you had coffee with God?" My answer: "Yes." And it was as recently as this morning, as a matter of fact. You see, as His child I can come to Him daily and sit at His feet and spend time in His presence, seek His face, and hear from Him. How? Some people call it their "quiet time" with God, some call it "daily devotions." And it means to spend time in His Word, in prayer, in reflecting upon His Word, and He then speaks to us through His Word, through something we'll hear (either a sermon, or even a word someone says). And it is in these times of waiting upon God, and reading His Word, and listening for His voice that we get renewed, revived, refreshed. You can have the same type of fellowship with Him. All you have to do is believe in Jesus and receive Him as your Savior. If you try to read the Bible without the "Son" light, you won't get a thing out of it. It won't make any sense to you at all because it is "spiritually discerned" and the "natural man" (or woman) cannot understand it. But God gives you with salvation the bonus of having the blindness removed from your mind so that you can understand what He has to say. He doesn't give the understanding first. He wants you to have faith first, and that means believing in something you cannot yet see, but trusting in the Lord anyways, believing that God, who cannot lie, is telling you the truth. In regards to getting together with Him to go bowling or to grab a Subway sandwich--well, I don't bowl and I don't eat at Subway, but if I did, yes, He would be there with me, for He has said He will never leave me nor forsake me, and He has promised to be with me always, and He has said that He is not only with me, but lives inside of me.

I don't know who you are, prtldgirl, but God does. And I can tell you for sure that God loves you very much, and He is longing for you to come to Him. You know He is real, don't you? His Word declares He has put eternity in our hearts. His Word tells us that His laws are written upon the fleshly tablets of our hearts. His Word says that He speaks to all of us (which includes you) through creation, etc. He's calling your name today. He wants you to come to Him. He wants to be your everything. He wants to give you real peace, real love, and real joy. He says He is never far from any of us. But you have to reach out to Him and invite Him into your life. If you choose not to invite Him into your heart and life, He will respect your decision. Like I've said before, the choice is yours. I pray you will choose Him. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm truely amazed on all the hate comments here. loss of innocence in little children because they heard a stupid song "i kisse a girl". it's just a silly song, there's no innocence loss here.

I have to sometimes wonder just how much these religious leaders really do read there BIBLE, I really believe they are on there way to a place nothing like heaven at all.

It's a silly song to us but not to a 5 year old, the seed is already planted. You obviously have never had the question posed to you by a child.

And don't worry us responsible adults will raise the kids, you guys just keep on keepin on believing that your actions don't affect anyone but yourselves.

Hadassah...awesome and true. What a friend we have in Jesus. We are so blessed. I went shopping this morning and Jesus came along. I had been putting off buying 2 items that I really needed, but couldn't afford them. I found them this morning and they were both on sale!!! I am surrounded by wonderful imperfect people and I love them all. I am imperfect too....a work in progress. I am a clay in the potters hands and I love it. I love watching God sweep His hands across they sky and playing in the clouds. I love to watch sunsets as He slides the sun across the hills and sky explodes into color. I love to feel His hand across my cheeks as the breeze carry the scent of roses and lilacs. What a great love He has for us....

john64 wrote:

Marriage is between a MAN and a WOMAN anything else, in my opinion, is absolutely disgusting. I literally get ill when I see same sexed couples and, when I see a man kiss a man I want to throw up. I liked it better when it was behind closed doors.

Ignorant

dandlmom wrote:

gay people gross me out!

Ignorant

and lastly

Bigfootinheels

You don't have to defend yourselves. CONCERNED has lost her way with God, there is no hope for her.

I am happy you think there is no hope for me....that makes me feel wonderful....if you were true christian you would accept others for what they believe in even though it differs from your own.........

God supposedly should accept all for who they are

lets quote the lovely childrens song I even sung in sunday school as a young believer

"jesus loves me this I know

for the bible tells me so

little ones to him belong

they are weak but he is strong

yes jesus loves

yes jesus loves "

Jesus is suppose to love everyone.....he supposedly died for our sins......shouldnt he forgive and accept all?????

Everyone on here who doesnt think gay couples should have the rights as every other American does is just plain

IGNORANT

DISGUSTING

UN-AMERICAN

HATEFUL

etc etc etc

I think you get my point !

hey bigfoot.. that question was brought up by my 5 yr old and i told him the truth. i told him that it just a silly song about two gays kissing and that gays are two people of the same sex, girl or boy, who love one another and that some when you get older you will understand. no innocence was loss here and what seed is already planted are you talking about?

BIG FOOT IN HEELS

when you had that question posed to you by a child what was your response.????? I bet it wasnt investigative, or understanding, or caring......If you actually took the time to sit down and explain the issues and the reasoning behind what being gay means and that it isnt a horrible thing maybe we would have a few less people in this world who are completely ignorant on the issues. It is up to the parent to raise their child in a respectful way and not to tell them to think of others differently then themselves. THe best thing you could tell your child is, "you are not better than anyone else so dont act like it ever no matter the situation"

ELIZABETHANN

Hadassah...awesome and true. What a friend we have in Jesus. We are so blessed. I went shopping this morning and Jesus came along. I had been putting off buying 2 items that I really needed, but couldn't afford them. I found them this morning and they were both on sale!!! I am surrounded by wonderful imperfect people and I love them all. I am imperfect too....a work in progress. I am a clay in the potters hands and I love it. I love watching God sweep His hands across they sky and playing in the clouds. I love to watch sunsets as He slides the sun across the hills and sky explodes into color. I love to feel His hand across my cheeks as the breeze carry the scent of roses and lilacs. What a great love He has for us....

Are you on drugs? You are seeing Hands playing in the clouds. you feel things that arent there....holy shit I want to take what your taking....and if you say its the blood and body of christ that you take every sunday at church im going friggin puke...

kboot

you make my point for me....................can you believe your 5 year old has girls kissing each other on her mind rather than running, laughing and playing with her friends.

and of course he doesn't understand the levity of what you told him. if you think he did, then you are dillusional.

yeah concerned I'm sure a 5 year old can relate, do you have kids??????

its too bad that your kid had to come to you because of a song they heard and you had to actually have a conversation with them..wow, that sounds horrible. You mean you didn't just let the radio raise them? you had to do some parenting? well shoot, thats horrible. I'm surprised actually, sounds like you let a 2000 year old fairy tale raise you..

Wait a minute; God has a son, but no wife?.....Hmmm! Maybe God's not opposed to gay marriage after all.

jmill85,

you must of been one of those kids in class, you know the wise ass ones that always thought he had to make cracks about other people to make themselves look better. i bet you got your ass whipped a lot.

cmon harry, do you want to ride the express train to hell???

hey bigfoot.. are you for real? of course my 5 yr old doesn't fully understand yet, but i'm not going to lie and teach my children to hate. that's is not be dillusional. what the hell is wrong with you! your dillusional! my son doesn't have girls kissing in his mind, he has learning his numbers and letters on his mind right now. what kind of person are you, are afraid that your little is going to turn gay because of this stupid song.

"See that ye refuse not him that speaketh: for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:25-29). Everything in our world, in our nation, in our own lives is being "shaken" by God. This is like the last warning before His wrath is poured out upon this whole world. He has been longsuffering in giving us space to repent. But that time is quickly coming to an end. And so he is shaking everything all around in hopes we will all wake up to the fact that there is nothing in this world that is eternal--nothing that is of value, nor that will last. It's all temporal and temporary. And He wants us to look past the temporal and temporary to the eternal and to eternity. He wants us to look beyond our situations and circumstances, beyond our jobs, our relationships, our money (or lack thereof) to Him, realizing He is everything we need and that He is all we need. God says judgment first begins at the house of God. That's why we are seeing who is real and who is not in our Churches and in leadership positions within so-called Churches. And we're also seeing the true believers being shaken, but it is a shaking wherein we are no longer snuggling with the world, but are standing up and shining for the Lord, being the salt and light He has called us to be. Yes, it's getting darker, but the light is shining brighter than ever. (To all of my brothers and sisters in Christ who have spoken the truth throughout this entire blog, may God richly bless you as you seek to share the Truth with the lost. And as Paul said to Timothy, "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." <>< )

hey bigfoot, what kind of parent are you

hadassah, holy shit dude!

Jeez, Hadassah! See that ye keepeth thy comments to a reasonable length, or none of the multitude will bother to readeth them.

hadassah, your scaring me!

well put, harryof.. made me laugh!

BigFoot, stop bein' such a hater. You may already be on that express, and not even know it. Better check your ticket!

bigfootinheels,

you must have been one of those obnoxious bullies who had to be up in everyones business, pushing your views on them..probably pushing around the kids that just werent like you instead of sticking to your own business.

and no actually I didnt get my ass kicked, i respect people's values regardless of what they are, when they keep them to theirself, and don't try to empose them on others, especially when it doesn't concern them. its trash like you who i heckle endlessly.

best wishes.

I am a life-long Catholic. I was an altar boy. I taught religion. I married and raise my children Catholic.

The best theologians that I have learned from in my 50 plus years of Catholicism taught that the Bible is ALLEGORY [allegory (?l'?-gôr'?, -g?r'?)n., pl. -ries. 1. The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form.] For those of you who are having trouble with the multi-syllable words in the definition, that means that is fable, just like other fables, written centuries after the events that they describe. They also react to the times. The biblical laws for keeping kosher are common sense food hygiene for the period when they were written. The ten commandments are primarily a reaction to the sado-sexual religious rituals of the Canaanites.

For those who say that it was written by prophets, why do we ignore modern characters who claim to be prophets, such as Charles Manson? For those who say that we should believe everything in it, what do we do about all the contradictions inherent in the Bible? And, as bdndilmor says, should we therefore keep Mexicans or Canadians as slaves? It's also odd that many of those who are so fervently against reproductive choice and homosexual rights aren't so concerned with capital punishment or war, which are also forbidden in the Bible.

The best parts of the Bible are the Gospels, because Christ taught us to love one another and to live by the golden rule. He also taught us to not cast stones and to ignore sanctimonious zealots. Christ taught me to live my life by example, not by screaming and yelling, not by being disgusted by what others are doing, nor by demanding hateful legislation.

to "concerned15": Jesus spoke in parables and then said, "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." And then the disciples went to Him and asked Him why He spoke to the people in parables. Jesus' response: "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: for this people's heart is waxed gross, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them" (Matthew 13:9-15). Concerned15, you can't see what Elizabethann sees because you refuse to open your eyes to see the truth. You can't hear what Elizabethann hears because you have covered your ears and are screaming as loud as you can to try and drown out God's voice. I pray that one day you will open your eyes and see, and open your ears and hear, and will understand with your heart, and be converted, in order for the Lord to heal you.

And to my dear "Sister-in-the-Lord", Elizabethann: "Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your hears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous mken have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." Keep the faith! God bless you! <><

OMG WTF... hadassah

hadassah, for the love of all that is holy, please stop!

it cracks me up to think about you little bible thumpers sitting at your computers thumbing through your bibles for something to quote because you have no ability to think for yourselves. It must have taken you forever to two finger peck that ancient nonsense into this little box.

I mean, honestly I do respect those with faith, and that is a decision we all make. But the part I don't get is where we get so caught up in some text that you can't realize that every human is the same. We are all the same "creation" or "atomic makeup" and no matter what color you are, sexual preference you have, ethnicity or religion you subscribe to, We all want the same things: to feel comfortable with ourselves, to love and to have and provide the same rights for other humans. Where do we draw the line? homosexuals- they arent like me? black people- they arent like me? WRONG..

we are all the same, one people and we should all have the same rights. Honestly, in this day and age can you really think it is okay for laws to seperate one group of people from another. we might as well just go back to slavery then

...if you want to keep marriage between a man and a woman in your church and your religion....great, more power too you. BUT, in the eyes of the state, we must all be treated equally and that means giving all the rights involved with unions, to anyone who wants to join another in the journey of life.

jmil85, you nailed it on the head

kboot,

A parent who cares what their child sees and hears. But I'm sure your kid will be telling mine all about homosexuality in kindergarten. Thanks for the pollution.

Hadassah, I'm beggin' ya! I've got ears, and eyes too, but I still can't figure out what the heck you're drivin' at. Howzabout you take a break from the ye shalls and the he haths and give it to us in good old plain Maine English, just for a moment. Then you can go back to the Quoth he's when your done.

jmill,

i believe that, you actually need a backbone to get your ass whipped.

easy harry I was just joking with you............

you made me laugh as well

bigfoot.. you are complete dumbass! i'm just not going to respond to this.

i'm not being a hater y'all just trying to make a point about the kids and the filth they see. i know we live in it every day but that doesn't mean i have to like it nor condone it.

hey bigfoot, how about you log out and go *!&^#% your self.

kboot I thought you were done..............remember i'm in that fairy tale, if that's not a dumbass jab i don't know what is.

bigfootinheels, more like big foot in your ass

I do not think being informed about homosexuality is "pollution". The first time I was conscious of homosexuality was probably when I was 6 or 7 and my mother explained why calling someone a "fag" is not okay. She simply explained that sometimes men love other men and women love other women and they shouldn't be a target of ridicule because of how they feel. That was enough explanation for me and I didn't give it much thought after that. The problems arise when children aren't given a reasonable age-appropriate explanation that problems arise.

kboot.......................i believe you just stepped over the line, remember what you teach your kids, tolerance, or so that was what you were preaching a few sentences ago

well put baltimorean

I mean prolems arise when children aren't given a reasonable and age-appropriate explanation.

it not an jab, it is a request. please!

BusterFoyt: Wasn't Alllegory the vice-prresident at one time? And wasn't it Allegory who said he invented the internet? (Just kidding! Christian humor...See, we do have fun.)

Anyways, when we listen to man rather than God, we are actually listening to the creature rather than the Creator. The "Yea, hath God said..." stuff is nothing new. (Look in Genesis 3). Satan loves to cast doubt on God's Word, and every single one of his lies is always wrapped in a little bit of truth. Hebrews 1:1-3 says, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake IN TIME PAST unto the fathers by the prophets, hath IN THESE LAST DAYS spoken unto us BY HIS SON, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." Therefore, according to this, how is God speaking to us in these last days--through prophets or through His Son? 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." And 2 Peter 1:19-21 says: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private inerpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." And in regards to Charles Manson--or anyone else for that matter, God's Word says in 1 John 4:1-3 says: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world."

P.S. What Satan intended for evil, God is intending for good....all the scoffers are actually helping us to get God's Truth out. Praise the Lord!

kboot go away

i dont teach my kids ignorance, like you

baltimorean,

i believe you have hit the perverbial nail on the head. do you think you could talk some sense into kboot??

hadassah, shut the #*&%@ up!

being gay is not pollution!

keep em coming kboot...........sounds like you're a little self concious, don't worry i'm sure you're doing a good job with your kid

bigfoot, you are polluted

careful everyone or bigfootinheels will flog his beliefs into you...

I have a backbone, it helps me stand up to bigots such as yourself, it aslo protects my spinal chord, which connects to the brain, which is the center for thought, feeling, compassion..which link are you missing.

i'm doing a great job raising my child, thanks.

so, bigfoot.. are going to log out or what?

The Truth in plain English: We are of God: whoever knows God hears us; whoever is not of God doesn't hear us. Furthermore, we have seen and are testyifying that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world, and whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he has testified of his Son. He that beleves on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that doesn't believe God has made him a liar; because he doesn't believe the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hast the Son has life; and he that doesn't have the Son of God doesn't have life.

ok guys enough's enough, some of us have some parenting to get back to.....................or flogging, whichever....

kboot and jmill, try not to corrupt everybody's kids while you're on your little trek for equality

i hope you burn hell, i'm logging out, #*&%@ this!

good luck...hopefully your children wont become indoctrinated with more of the same...that way we can hope for a better world in the future instead of the same old BS...good luck. best wishes. and dont forget, nothing corrupts a child more than a little bit of hatred

thanks jmill

Big Deal!!!. Three out of several hundred clergy in the area representing small congregations hold a news conference in front of almost no-one and the BDN thinks it is important. We just had three stes vote on this and millions voted rejecting the idea of gay marriage. That never made the the lead on the front page but these three do. What a bunch of radical crapo.

Hey , I would really like lots of letters to the editor on this one folks. As is typical of LEFTIST media abuse , the BDN made it seem as if the view point of just a very few of so called ministers represented a group consensus of all christian leaders in the state as per the very first sentence of this "article". Although the ministers were specified later in the said article and turned out NOT to be representative of the bulk of Bible believing Christians ,I'm sure people can see that the phrasing was such as to intimate full agreement on this very critical issue....BIAS in reporting???? Anyone else feel this way??!! I say "Shame on you, Bangor Daily News"

Luke 6:22 King James Version:

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

Luke 6:22 International Standard Version:

How blessed are you whenever people hate you, avoid you, insult you, and slander you because of the Son of Man!

You see, I can pick and choose parts of the Bible that suit my viewpoints, too! Lobstarok quotes a few Old Testament books, and it always amuses me, because Jesus Christ, whose teachings Christians follow, was not even in the Old Testament. It's especially amusing Lobstarok quotes Romans 2:1-4, because it discusses judging others lest ye be judged so to speak. So Lobstarok and all you other folks, here's to you in your glass houses!! You and your church does not equal God, so STOP JUDGING.

bigfootinheels you have said much ....so I will assume you know nothing....I for believe my assumptions are right

kjpkjp...I was thinking exactly the same thing and I came on to write a post about just that. The caption should have said "Some Clergy back same -sex marriage". MSM at it's best....

I like how this church stands by their principles and beliefs and still has respect for others whose opinions are different than their own. Check it out.

http://newsroom.lds.org:80/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/first-presidency-urges-respect-civility-in-public-discourse

Okay...to begin with I am sitting here as a straight woman with a family...First of all I would like to say that I have not been to church since I was a child for this specific reason people who go to church think that they are better than EVERYONE ELSE. You keep talking about SINNERS and and going to HELL...Well let me ask you this one question have you ever sinned? Do you think that GOD has forgiven you for your sins? Well I believe that gays and lesbians are no different than ANY OTHER PERSON IN THE WORLD!! Okay maybe in the bible it says between a man and a woman?? But in your wedding vows does it say "Till death do us part"????? Well do you know that over 47% of marriages end in divorce?? Those vows were said before GOD were they not???? I heard a commercial on the radio today that made me want to puke! It said "Even the happiest homosexual relationship is more dysfunctional than the worst straight relationship" I was horrified!! I have many friends and family who are homosexuals and the relationships they are in are a HELL of a lot better and more solid than most of my married friends. Five years ago I attended a "commitment" ceremony for my cousin and her partner. It was the most BEAUTIFUL ceremony I had ever attended! The love that those two shared was AMAZING! I was so proud of them for taking that step! Now tell me something??? If it was one of your children or grandchildren that came home to you and said "I'm gay!" Would your feelings and thoughts change?? I should hope so!! Because I don't think that you would look very good in GOD's eyes having those feelings for your own child/grandchild! Just remember this little thing called KARMA...keep running your mouths about people and their lifestyles someday it will come back and bite you in the butt!! For all the homosexuals out there that are looking for the same rights that me and my husband have...I hope and PRAY that you get that!! Everyone deserves to be happy and not to be discriminated against!

So im having a hard time with this........I am a true believer in God...........I also belive no sin is greater than any other.....We should not be condeming anyone of their way of life.....If homosexuality is a sin its not greater than lying to your child about santa claus or the easter bunny or the tooth fairy...its not greater than smoking, or swearing, or telling a little white lie to the police officer who pulled you over for speeding...(no sir i didnt know i was speeding ) getting my point here???? while your pointing one finger at the homosexuals 3 are pointing back at you.....Its not up to us to Judge ANYONE!! we will all be judged one day the the only one that matters.....GOD! Till then its none of our business....I know many gay and lesbians that believe in God....just as i know many smokers that believe in God..should the one that lies be RIDICULED the same way as you are all doing to these people? We should not be doing it period....This is a part of our life...we live this everyday...and to hide your children from it will only cause problems later down the road being mean and saying mean things about homosexuals to your children will only make it that much harder for them to come to you MAYBE one day and tell you Mom and Dad im gay......i feel sorry for those children that cannot go to there parents because of the hatred they have about homosexuals...To each their own conviction!!.....May God Bless You and Each and Everyone of Us!!

All I know is that when I go to the Y, i'm skipping the after workout shower from now on. I don't want to end up having a Steeveydee experience.

boogyman:

You won't, sweetie.

You won't!

Rebecca~~ Quote: " I have not been to church since I was a child for this specific reason people who go to church think that they are better than EVERYONE ELSE". This reason for not going to or stop attending church is the most common and the most "stupid" reason I have ever heard. It is just your's and most everyone's excuse of not attending church. Your statement is very judgemental. You might want to read the book of Judges. It is found in the old Testament. You also might want to look up the meaning of forgiveness and start with yourself.

Stand by, planet Earth. The judgement of God is coming!

and that means the day of slavation is at hand I"m not worried are you?

Rebecca...The marriage is for man and women. I would not agree with laws that would take away equal rights for everyone. All people should have the same access to health care, insurance, education and whatever programs goverment or other institutions have to offer. If a gay couple want a civil union I don't have a problem with that. But we can not redefine marriage. Marriage is a sacred institution . A contract between man, woman, and God. It is a covenant, contract. All three are in agreement. If someone were to attempt to write a contract and one of them was not in agreement then the contract is null and void. The contract would never be written up. God is not in agreement with a homosexual marriage. So a marriage contract cannot be valid in the eyes of God. The institution of marriage was designed for God's purpose. To keep families, societies, our world healthy, orderly and strong. To keep our children safe. Those who do not believe in gay marriage want to keep the institution of marriage sacred. What is meant to be.

"Church is for sinners not for Saints."

And please dear Lord, try to like h ell to keep them all there!

Hell.

Testing 1-2-3.

Don't use religion as an excuse to be a bigot. That makes me sick. God teaches love and acceptance, give it a try.

Signed, Straight not narrow

Wow. I see a lot of hate and anger and people using the bible to convert others and others using their "knowledge" of the bible to justify their beliefs. Heres the deal though - yes, God teaches love and acceptance of people, but not their choices, not their livestyles and certianly not of their sins. God also teaches repentance of ones sin and without this you will not see the Kindom of Heaven. Bigfoodinheels and hadassah what great posts. Hasassah you have a great knowledge and thank you for sharing it. BigFoot, I know where you are coming from and every day shelter my kids from the horrors of mainstream music and TV. Infact, radio stations like 107.3 are not listened to anymore and so called kids shows like Hannah Montana are as well not allowed in our home. I am sorry that you had to attempt to answer such a question from your child.... a question that never should have been asked but one that was brought upon by the indecency of the main stream and some girl just trying to be rich and famous.

Here is the deal. God exists, whether you want to believe in HIm or not. And the wonderful part is He gave you the ability to choose, and you are using the luxury of freewill to attack those who standup for their morals. God condems homosexuality and tells us to all turn away from sin, our own and that of others. Yes, God teaches us tolerance, but He also clearly states that there is only one way into Heaven, and that salvation is not a free ride to do as you please. God will judge us and we will all be required to answer for the things we have done and said here on Earth. Are you seriously going to tell God that you went along with homosexuality because everyone else did?? It wasn't an OK excuse in high school and it certianly won't be an exceptable excuse in the presence of your heavenly Father.

You can believe in whatever you want - any mythology will do - but the trouble is your understanding of your mythologies foster hatred. If two people love each other and want to form a legal and binding union that should be their right. I've been around long enough to know that heterosexuals have no mythologically based patent on morals. But try some of your own poison ... "judge not, lest ye be judged," or "let him without sin cast the first stone."

Hate the sin, not the sinner.

Eliazabethann hit the nail right on the head. I too agree that these couples should have the same rights - but I don't think that we should re-define marriage. Civil Unions with all the same rights as heterosexual couples, what is so wrong with that? All they have been saying is that they want the same rights - so give them the rights - but don't allow them to change the meaning of marriage. Marriage equals one man and one woman. Civil uniions equal same sexed unions. You can't have your cake and eat it too - but you can get the rights you want without trouncing on what has been a sacred institution for years and years and years. Some concessions have to be made on the part of the gay community. Get the rights you want, but leave marriage as it is.

And I also agree with her on why she stopped attending church. I too stopped. I went to Catholic School from Pre K - 12th grade. I attended church until 2001, when all the nastiness of what was going on with the priests hit the scene. You do not have to go to church to pray or to beleive. You can do that anywhere you want to. I heard a sayhing that the church has turned into an institution for sinners and a museum of saints gone by. I can't blame anyone who chooses not to go anymore just as I wouldn't blame anyone who continues to go. Faith is faith no matter where you practice. All this bible verse throwing is rediculous. Give us all a break and lets all take a deep breath.

I did not read all the comments but there must be some rump rangers who support teaching homosexuality in school. I have heard that teaching such material may sway children to become butt pirates. Is this true?

klaive99,

I can't believe someone understands my point of view. THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friends, Mainers and Countrymen'

Lend me your ears.

Having just about finished up writing 10 continuous story line screenplays on the subject of both same sex and opposite sex marriage I feel qualified to add the following.

A religious marriage is performed in a church by an ordained minister of that church.

A Civil Ceremony is performed by a Notary Public or a Justice of The Peace sworn in by the state in which that person holds a qualified license.

If it doesn't offend persons who are married by a civil decree that some people are married in a church than why should it offend persons who are married by a recognized religious sect that there are others who are married by the law?

Unless of course you are the King or Queen of England and then as duly recorded representatives you would be married by both.

In other words, keep religious ceremonies for couples who want to be married in a church, and also have Civil Ceremonies for those who have made their peace with God, and just want to be married to the one other person they love.

That would be the only fair way as it allows all couples who love each other to get married, and then they can all go to Hell!

Hell.

Testing 1-2-3-

Those who have left the church because of the scandals please reconsider and come back to the church. I , like many others was angry, sad and disgusted. But I hung in there. I spoke to a bishop and told him that the religiuos life is not supposed to be a reflection of society, but a reflection of Jesus, as we as christians are called to be. The church is rising again. This time purified and stronger. Will it happen again? I'm sure it probably will. Humans are weak. The heart of the church is getting stronger and holier. There are many battles to be won.

The Air force has a saying. More than meets the eye, we accept rump rangers in disguise. That is what a retired Air force guy told me anyway. Do not know if it is true. Must be right there with submariners, 140 people go down and 70 couples come up.

Karruka: Because there are many people who have taken the two scriptures you quoted out of context, we need to check what the context and meaning of those scriptures really means. To have 20/20 vision where Bible passages are concerned, it's best to look at the 20 verses before and the 20 verses after the one verse being quoted. "Judge not, that ye be not judged" is Matthew 7:1. It was a portion of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Jesus explains what He means about judging as you read on down further in Matthew 7. He does say with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged, etc. And then he asks, "Why do you behold the mote (speck) that is in your brother's eye, but don't consider the beam (kind of like a log) that is in your own eye?" And then He say, "You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye; AND THEN SHALL YOU SEE CLEARLY TO CAST OUT THE MOTE OUT OF YOUR BROTHER'S EYE." You see, Jesus isn't saying we can't judge whether something is right or wrong, He is saying we must first examine our own hearts, get our own hearts and lives right with the Lord, stop being hypocrites in the sense of saying, "Do as I say, don't do as I do." Without "spiritual vision"--seeing everything through the Lord's eyes--we cannot judge righteously. James 2 again lets believers know they are not to be hypocritical nor show partiality, etc. Verse 12 says: "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." We ourselves came to Jesus unclean, full of sin. We, too, needed the Savior. We couldn't save ourselves nor clean ourselves up. But when we gave our hearts and lives to the Lord, He cleansed us and delivered us from the bondages of sin. We have freedom in Him. But we're told it doesn't give us the liberty to continue sinning, and it doesn't give us the liberty to withhold mercy from those who are still bound by sin. Verse 13 says: "For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment." We "judge" the sin, not the sinner. We hate the sin, not the sinner. And we extend mercy to the sinner by showing them Christ's love and share with them the hope He has for them. 1 Peter 4:17 says: "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" You see "judgment" means "a testing time", where our lives are "tested" to see if they line up with God's perspective or not.It first begins at the house of God. The Lord is "testing" (judging) us Christians as well. And many of us are returning to Him after being prodigals and worldly for many years--I am one such person. And as we who know the Lord get our own hearts right with Him, He then says we can judge things. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 says: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he many instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." We then sift things--not through the grid of our own minds or thoughts or opinions or ideas, but through the Word of God. I pray this helps clarify what "Judge not, that ye be not judged" really means, as according to the whole counsel of God's Word.

If your down here Mainlyme, can you see me?? Having sex with goats is the reason I'm here.

Karruka: It's me again! I get in trouble for long postings, so had to make the clarification of the verses you quoted a two-parter. Still had difficulty downsizing my posting. Sorry. Anyways, in regards to "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her"...You can find that in John 8:7. Unfortunately, this verse, like so many others, has been misquoted and misinterpreted time and time again. So, here's the real deal, as according to John 8:1-11...The scribes and Pharisees (the "religious" rulers and leaders and priests) at the time Jesus was here on Earth, were "religious" but didn't have a "relationship" with the Lord. In fact, the Lord called them "hypocrites", and "blind guides", and told them that the prophet Isaiah had prophesied of them when he wrote, "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." He said they had laid aside the commandment of God to hold the tradition of men, and had full well rejected the commandment of God, that they might keep their own tradition (just like the modern day clergy people in this BDN article are doing, by the way.) Anyways, in John 8:2-3 we are told that early one morning Jesus came again into the temple, and that all the people came to him, and he sat down, and was teaching them when suddenly the scribes and Pharisees brought to him a woman taken in adultery. "And when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?" They were quoting scripture, but it was for all the wrong reasons. "This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him." They hated Jesus, and were trying to twist Him up in order to accuse Him of wrongdoing. "but Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

You see, Karruka, the scribes and Pharisees didn't really care about God, nor were they themselves obedient to His commandments. They were simply trying to use the law to suit their own purposes, which was to get rid of Jesus. They weren't even judging the woman, they were using her in their plot to accuse Jesus of something. See how the phrase "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" has been taken out of context? The real deal is sin is universal--there is none righteous, no not one. We are all guilty before a holy and righteous God. The law points this out to us. All our mouths are stopped by the law, for we can see how we all have broken one or more of God's commandments. Yet there is forgiveness with Him. He is the sinners' friend--not condoning the sin, but loving the sinner. And He wants to pardon our sin, just as He did the sins of the woman caught in the act of adultery. And after we come to Him for forgiveness, and are pardoned and cleansed by Him, He tells us to "go and sin no more." And He will be with us each and every step of the way to help us keep short accounts with Him.

Does anyone actually read all of hadassah's posts or am I the only one that thinks they are too long???

And does hadassah stand for had ass ahh??? Gross.

When fundy attack. Sunday on FOX

Bible thumpers are the worst kind of people that live in the world. It's their way or the highway. They won't bend at all. Their stupid bible states that god says this is true, so it must be. If it's in the bible it's true but so much of the bible can be proven as myth but if you attempt to disprove a fundie they will say you are persecuting them and attacking their beliefs because they refuse to listen to something that might prove them wrong.

It's very sad millions of children everyday are brainwashed into believing in a god that it sickens me. Fundy make me want to puke. I'd rather see a happy homosexual couple making out than listen to a bible thumper preach about his god and his dumb book. Stop trying to force your beliefs on others. You want to read your bible and pray to your god that is fine. Don't preach it to me when I don't want to hear it. I don't go around and attempt to push others toward atheism but if they ask me why I am one I will explain it but then and then only.

Not all christians are bad people and bible thumpers. It’s the fundy that gives a good christian a bad name. I hate bible thumpers and fundy. I don’t dislike christians. I have no problem with them but as an atheist I will state my mind and fire back at the bible thumpers when they post because you have no right to force what you think is right onto the entire world.

Let gay men and gay women marry. If these bible thumpers spent more time working on their own lives and not worrying about the rest of the world, this world would be a much better place to live. Sadly it will take at least another two hundred years before this will ever happen.

Kevin_of_Bangor: You stated in your posting that you "don't go around and attempt to push others toward atheism" but if they "ask" you why you are one you will explain it "but then and then only." Kevin, have you forgotten your posting on 11/04/08 at 9:55 PM (It was under the news article entitled, "AP:Obama wins Maine's 4 electoral votes") in which you began to talk about the invisible wizard in the sky and to give your views about your beliefs even though no one had asked you why you were an atheist and there had been no postings before yours about the Bible, etc.? (The only mention of God before your posting at 9:55 PM was when Sherry M said of John McCain: "God bless him.") Kevin, you don't have a problem with "fundies", you have a problem with God. You say you are an atheist yet an atheist doesn't believe in God and therefore would not be threatened by the fundies talking about God. Would you be upset if someone posted about Buddha? About Mohammed? Kevin, God loves you, even if you don't love him. And there is a battle going on in your soul. I pray that one day you will turn to God and will find true peace. And in regards to the "at least another two hundred years" thing...Tell me, Kevin, how old are you now? How old will you be two hundred years from now? But more importantly, WHERE will you be? The Lord wants you to be with Him. I pray you will respond to His love and His free gift of salvation.

So, there you go preaching and please don't pray for me. I never asked you to and I hate it when people do. You have no clue how I was raised, you have no clue about my past. I was raised as a Christian. I used to read the bible, go to church and all that other crap. Well then I grew up and realized the truth. I stopped believing in Santa, the Easter bunny and all those other made up things as a child. As an adult I realized the whole religious think is just made up crap as well. I learned the truth, taught myself the truth. I have accepted your so called god as my savior and I have been baptized when I was 12yrs old.

Again, then I grew up and started to question things and seek the truth and that truth led me to become an atheist. An atheist doesn't not believe in any god. None, nada, zippo.

As for the Obama post I felt like pushing some buttons that night so I did. If there is a god then he favors Obama over McCain because Christians such as yourself see it as god's will and he has a plan so Obama had to win as it's gods plan and most Christians would say that your god has another plan for McCain and it's his will and you will never questions god's plan or his will.

It's always a win/win for Christians that is the funny part. If it doesn't work out for you it's god's will. If it does work out for you then it’s a miracle or the work of god.

Take the idiots that prayed for rain in Georgia during the drought. It will rain sooner or later but when it does they will say, see prayer works and god answers our prayers, same with the gas prices. They prayed for lower gas prices and low and behold they did come down, it was only a matter of time but the Christians will say, see god answered or prayer. It's all BS!!!

I don't believe in a god so therefore I have no issues with something that does not exist. I've even asked this so called god to show himself to me if he is real but it has never showed up. If it is real and wants me to follow its law it would simply appear and say this is my word, this is my book and these are my laws, you must obey them but it never, ever, ever, has.

I'll go outside right now and shout, if there is a god, show yourself to me. It won't because there is no god and I already know your answer to that question. It's because I lack faith.

There is no battle going on in my soul. The best thing I ever did in life was to go outside and shout out loud I am an atheist. That felt better than ever going to church or turning my life over to your god. I'm a much happier person since I denounced that a god does not exist. My life is much fuller and peaceful.

But when you people want to thumb your bible in the comments and say if you don't listen to the bible and live by it you are going to hell I will step up on my soap box and retort. There is no hell, there is no heaven. There is no god nor devil. When you die, you die. End of the game.

I find it very sad that people such as yourself only live a moral life because you are afraid you will be shammed to hell and won't get into heaven. You hide behind a book to be racist and condemn those that do not share your beliefs. I don't need a book to live a moral life, you do. That is sad.

I will never, ever, ever go back to being a Christian. I love being an atheist and it’s the best thing I ever did in life in becoming one. You want to talk about freedom and feeling free, become one but you never will because you are stuck in your ways and will never seek the truth. I sought the truth and I did it on my own. I didn’t read Dawkins or Hitchens while doing it and nobody influenced me or pushed me into become an atheist I did it all on my own and I’m glad I did.

There is no god.

My IQ is not measured by my intelligence,

My IQ is measured by my Faith in God

On 11/16/08 at 01:20 AM, skipperskitchen wrote:

My IQ is not measured by my intelligence,

My IQ is measured by my Faith in God

Well my IQ has been tested and it was 135. I'll take fact over fiction for 100 Alex.

Did any of you see the freak show's on Babara Walters the other night. What are these people thinking?

kevin,

if you don't believe in God why are you posting here? This is a religous post, you are torn my friend.

Deep down you know you can't just let go. A real athiest wouldn't even acknowledge this story. For some reason you are right in the middle of it, I wonder why?

Check yourself buddy, and stop being such a d&*Khead.

Stopped practicing my faith years ago. Came back because illness of someone I love. Incredible miracle brought me back. That one was for the books. The chance of that happening was probably about one in a million. I have to ask a mathmatician to figure it out. So many factors had to be in place for that to happen I knew it was from God. Haven't been the same since. We are spiritual beings above all else. We are in a daily spiritual battle. The battle has been already won. The actual grace was already given, but we must cooperate with God to bring His plan for our lives into fullfillment.

One other thing I have learned over the past few years that unrepented sin can cause mental illness. Unforgiveness of self and others can cause mental illness. I think the state of society that we live is proof of that.

Elizabethann:

I have had many older friends in my life and I can agree wholeheartedly that everyone reverts back to the belief that they were taught when they were small..

Fortunately, God is there waiting to welcome them back when they do, just as he has been with them all of their lives.

The world has evolved tremendously since He set it spinning around the sun in the vast universe that He created so many billions of years ago

And life forms have changed considerably also under God's kind benevolence.

Isn't it an insult to His superior knowledge for any of us mere humans to deny The Supreme Being's Intelligence by stating that he hasn't changed his manner of thinking in some ways, also?

I do wish that people would just find it in their hearts to treat each other the same way they wish to be treated by others. It would be a much better world for all of us to live in were we to accept the Ten Commandments as our guide, and The Goldren Rule as our road map to life.

Sin, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder and people who constantly look to condemn what they consider to be sin in themselves and others are wasting the riches of life that God gave to all of us.

Instead, rejoice in the glories that are God, and concentrate on the true goodness that is within yourself and all of us.

Then and only then will you find peace of mind and realize the gifts that God has bestowed on all of his earthly creations.

Welcome back to God.

I have never left Him!

Elizabethann: Very nice Testimony~~He or She who does not need the church, He of She must not believe in God. A church is a Divine Institute, A place where God Dwells. I'll know your Testimony will touch more people then me.

separation of church and state. . .

bigfootinheels you are an idiot.

Nuff said.

Kevin_of_Bangor: My heart truly does go out to you. You're right, I don't have a clue how you were raised--just as you have no idea how I was raised. But I can tell by your postings that people have hurt you deeply throughout your entire life, and that deep down inside, you are actually mad at God because of what you've suffered at the hands of others (maybe they were even people very close to you who hurt you). You probably have a lot of "whys", and not many answers. We have ministered to many children who have been terribly abused by others--even by people within their own families. The world has beaten these kids up. They come to us a mess--angry, bitter, hurting, depressed, bleeding spiritually. They have emotional scars that nobody can see--but God sees them. And God sends these kids our way to show them that they are loved, that they do have value, that there is hope, and that Jesus Christ can heal them. We had a young boy that we ministered to once whose Boy Scout leader had raped him. We didn't know this. We knew the young boy was troubled, but didn't know why. And then one day he broke down and shared with us what had happened. He was sobbing and sobbing and sobbing. And he was the victim yet he felt like it was his fault. He thought God had made a mistake in making him a boy. (The reason it finally came out in regards to what had happened was because the guy had gone to prison, but was soon to be released and the boy was scared.) This world is totally messed up. And that's why the Lord is not going to allow everything to continue this way much longer. It's not the Lord's will for people, especially children, to be hurt. And before the fall of man, such was not the case. But the reality is we live in a sin-cursed fallen world, and all of us have hearts that are desperately wicked and evil and deceitful--even if we ourselves don't know it. And any one of us is capable of anything. And that's why we need the Savior. He wants to take all our hurts, all our pain, and all our sin and give us a new life in Him. Our situations and circumstances may not change, but our outlook will change, and He will give us the strength to endure. This life we have here on this earth is only temporary and fleeting. It doesn't last very long at all. Yet we can look forward to eternity if we receive Jesus as our Savior. I haven't always been a Christian. And even as a Christian, there have been times when I have strayed away from the Lord. I have a "past." I've been hurt deeply by others. I've been abused. I've experienced all kinds of hateful, hurtful things. And there have been times when I have asked "why". Yet God has been so faithful in meeting me wherever I am and rescuing me out of the darkness--and out of the pain, the darkness, the fears. Here's a passage of scripture that explains what I'm talking about: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; TO COMFORT ALL THAT MOURN; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them BEAUTY FOR ASHES, the OIL OF JOY FOR MOURNING, the GARMENT OF PRAISE FOR THE SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified."

Kevin, I have more I want to share with you, but have to go for now....I am still going to pray for you. I pray the Lord will reveal Himself to you (in your heart and life), and that your eyes will be opened to behold His beauty, and that your heart will open up to His love and His grace.

To all my brothers and sisters in Christ: Please join with me in praying for Kevin and praying for his soul. Put him at the top of your prayer list and pray for him daily. Pray "the Hound of Heaven" will not leave him alone until he finally trusts the Lord as his Savior for real.

hadassah:

Mind your own business.

We're perfectly capable of speaking and praying for ourselves, and with much less verbiage!

Not all people belive in God. If you believe you believe. The Bible ihas a lot of flaws(BS)in it. Twist it one one and you may believe it. Twist it the other way and its fake. Dont jump on the guy too much.

I was raised in Christianity and am a believer..Too scary not to be! But I feel wholeheartedly it is not the choice of the people whether man marries man..woman marries woman...It's not a sin for you to keep your opinion to yourself regarding the matter! We all know what the bible says..It's their choice on what they do and those whom throw hell in their faces for their decisions with follow close behind for the commandments clearly say..THY SHALL NOT JUDGE!

I was raised to love and accept everyone and i will continue to raise my children the same!

I do worry that if all these laws are put in effect that it will open doors to other scenario's that re just not biblical...

The thing is hrdwkngmom.....a governments laws should be built on the principals of God. Civilian unions for same sex marriage....if that is what they choose, this protects property. All should be able to do that. They should have equal rights, health in surance, life insurance, education....Marriage is a sacrament. Why change that? It has nothing to do with judging....

This thread seems dead but in case it gets read I have to say this is really sad. I know so many progressive people in Maine, welcoming people, INTELLIGENT people and then I read this.

First I can't help noticing how all the bible thumpers do not have a command of the English language. Does religious bigotry require stupidity?

Secondly, you are all commenting on YOUR religion, your personal beliefs and using words like "the truth". YOUR religion is your opinion, and it happens to be wrong. There is no god. You have been brainwashed into believing these old fairy tales just like we used to lie to children about Santa Claus and the tooth fairy. Your stupid scritptures quoted from your stupid little black book are FICTION. They are actually worse than fiction, they were written to control the massess. It is actually a very suspect text given its goal to control the minds of humanity.

Lastly, many of you say we are going to hell in a handbasket, to paraphrase. We have lost our moral compass. WE SURE HAVE! IT IS RELIGION'S FAULT. "Christian" kids vandalized my home, "Christian" gangsters here in Mass where I reside shoot each other. "Christian" men molest young boys.

Religion causes war, hatred, bigotry, and SIN. Why does it teach "we are all sinners"???? Have you ever wondered? It is so that EVERYONE can join...especially those (many of them posters to this site) who have no moral bearing in life.

So get a life. STOP SINNING. I am NOT a sinner..my definition of "sin" is an act that hurts humanity or hinders our ability to coexist peacefully on this planet. I do not accept your twisted claim that we all sin. We are better than that, how else did we take over the planet? We DO NOT HAVE TO SIN.

And, I have to add, marriage is not religious. So it is none of your business who I marry. It is not "sacred", it is not some holy contract with god and as someone here said it is not something created by God. It was created by man as part of developing our civil society, something which most of you need to start working towards, because what I read here is a direct indication of why our country is doing so poorly. We cannot have a healthy civil society with all you wingnuts out there thinking you're better than everyone else.

Because you're not. In fact you're worse...you've allowed your brain to be taken over by a priest. Sick little sinners all of you. Go to your own hell, I don't have one.

Elizabethann maybe you mean "civil" unions, not civilian? Regardless, wrong again from the religious nut bench. Our government is GODLESS. If you read anything other than your little book that tells you how to sin, I suggest you find out for yourself what our government is built on.

Your marriage may be a "sacrament" simply because you had it solemnized in one of those christian cults. However, you may have noticed when you married that your priest said "by the power granted in me". Who do you think granted that power????...THE STATE.

Your christian cult does not control marriage...your priest has to go to the state and get a license to marry people. The state governs marriage and it is not sacred, it is a civil contract.

We will only accept marriage and we are not giving up. I suggest you move on to handwringing about the embryoes, since equal marriage is and will be accomplished no matter how shrill all you nut jobs become.

bigfootinheels (love the name, reminds me of a drag queen or two I've met...)...why do you say this is a religious post?

This is a story about equal marriage and the religious come out of the woodwork to try to claim the state owes religion something.

It doe not. In fact those of us for equal marriage will continue to point out religion has NOTHING to do with it. See my other post about the power to grant marriages..it is a SECULAR power. Ask your priest if he/she has to maintain justiceship of the peace or not.

Religion rears its ugly head, and we protest, only to be told its not our argument as we have rejected religion. I know I err when I expect logic from the religiously brainwashed.....

Some day some of you will reject your faith and realize how wrong you were. For those of you, I will maintain hope, for the rest, pity.

Religion is wrong. It is made up. Give it up. the mom on here said she only believes out of fear. Give up the fear! We have great minds that have allowed us to overpower all other life on this planet. I suggest you start using them....because there is no room in a thinking mind for the evil god you all succumb to.

Kevin, you are raising my hopes for Downeast Maine's future!

I just want to point one thing out respectfully: People are actually ALL born atheist. Their family and community teach them the fear, loathing and small-mindedness of religion. It is taught, we are all born godless and thanfully some of us retain that, or in your case, return to it.

Let's all live a moral life without doing so out of fear. It is so much more sincere.

bigfootinheels, god did not say marriage is between a man and a woman. God didn't say anything. Can you point me to the source of these supposed quotes?

We know what some Egyptians said, we know what Romans and Greeks wrote down. We know in your bible what followers of your god said, but we somehow can't know what he said?

Why? Could it be "he" is a figment of man's imagination?

Again, where can I go and read what he said? It's not your book..we know who wrote the passages, and they were men.

Where can I confirm god told you to hate?

Toothfairy, I find your acts disgusting. I find your religion and the hate it has instilled in you disgusting. I find your shriveled little mind disgusting.

But we differ on one thing: I won't judge your choices in life, and you do. I guess that adds to the disgusting list. Reading you makes me think how incredibly disgusting you must be. You must sit in your kitchen and fret about the "acts" of all your neighbors. You sound like the village rumor mill and idiot rolled into one.

Get over your disgust, the world is not as you envision it. Too bad for you we are stuck together on this planet and you can't change a thing. Go ahead and be disgusted, what a pitiful life that must be.

bigfootinheels This is not a religous post...this is a free and open forum on the BDN web site...and as far as I know you have no right to tell anyone they can't post here...and if you continue to do so I will report you to the paper

Mainelyme your post from the 15th is inaccurate. You say a religious marriage is performed in a church by an ordained minister of that church.

Actually it is still a CIVIL marriage. The minister may be ordained by some church or other authority, but without the civil authority granted by the STATE it is not a marriage at all. It's just a religious ceremony. Case in point are the many same gender marriages performed over the last 30 or 40 years in religious institutions. Unlike my marriage in Mass, (the state, not event), these marriages are not recognized by the state.

You can't get married by a church! The state marries you...and by giving your preacher the power to grant a civil marriage, your preacher can than marry you. But its not religious, it is a civil contract recognized by our completely secular, non-religious government.

This distinction is important, because religious people fear equal marriage will change their religious marriage. They don't have one in the first place!

I have to admit that reading the posts on this article has become something of a guilty pleasure. Like watching mud wrestling or something. It is amazing to me how little the religious zealots are able to think for themselves, rather than relying on the "thou shalts" that were written centuries ago.

Is religion perhaps a way to keep the masses in check? As in "Thou shalt follow every word in this old book to the letter and therefore not cause any trouble". Well, not literally every word to the letter, just the ones that rationalize a conservative, narrow minded agenda.

Keep in mind that, whatever you believe or don't believe about Jesus, he was a radical liberal. He even had a beard and wore sandals. And he was the first to criticize those who let their religious righteousness get in the way of caring about their fellow human beings.

John64 you may be gone from this but oh my how inaccurate you were on 11/14 at 3:09 PM:

"all over the news, on every magazine cover, discussed by church or state": where have you been, the anti-gay religious right has picked this fight, not us. If you don't like the resulting daylight on the issue, complain to the bible thumpers on this thread who have promoted the culture wars.

""I don't like how certain individuals are trying to re-write the constitution": again, where have you been? We've had THIRTY states reright their constitution to take away a basic civil right that was written into it originally. Why do you think the anti-equality movement went for those amendments in the first place?...they knew the freedom to marry is already enshrined in most states and the US' constitution under a number of different legal angles not the least of which is EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW. The religious right has re-written those 30 constitutions, so again, complain to them not us. We were happy with them the way they were, and we are going to FIX them by changing the hate you all have written into our most sacred documents (yes, they are more sacred then even your favorite fiction: the bible)

"If someone is gay, fine, be gay - I just don't want to see it" Well I don't want to see your fat ass at the grocery store, but do I have a choice? Who do you think you are saying what you get to see and not see, you don't own this planet. There is an island for sale in Pleasant bay..buy it, you can then try to control what you see (but that won't work either because I think I'll find my new favorite fishing spot right off your island so you can see all gay all day all summer ha ha ha!)

Lastly give up trying to say you have a gay friend, you are just defending your family all that b.s. rhetoric. First of all you are ABUSING your family by teaching them hate. You don't have a friend who came out, how can you call him a friend if you can't even call his partner his friend without putting it in quotes. You let us on to your bigotry right there...you can't even accept who you friend dates....so how could you ever accept equal marriage? Apparantly your bigotry is sealed. Your "friend" probably isn't your friend at all. If he was he'd send your kids family photos with the caption "your father wants to hide his friends from you".

Quit abusing your kids...teach them to respect the whole of humanity, not just the narrow part you are trying to live in, unsuccessfully.

Mariahstorm, the catholics were quoted in the article, if you read the whole thing. They gave their same position of intolerance, hate and bigotry.

I suspect the bishop is holed up in his comfortable home paid for by the poor who can't afford it, busily plotting how to undermine reason and fairness. I doubt he's planning witch hunts or stonings, but he probably is wishing he still had that power.

Oops I'm wrong, their is a witchunt going on in the RCC. The nazi-pope-in-drag is going after gays in seminary. That makes me laugh, who is going to be left?

Addisonattimes: You said to bigfootinheels, "God did not say marriage is between a man and a woman. God didn't say anything. Can you point me to the source of these supposed quotes?"

Answer: Genesis 2:21-24 which states, "And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." And Jesus said in Matthew 19:4-6: "Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." And to clarify that marriage is between a man and a woman, Ephesians 5:28-33 says, "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his boedy, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love HIS wife even as HIMSELF; and the wife see that SHE reverence HER husband."

I got news for you all, JESUS CHRIST, was a prophet, Jew, and a man. He was not the son of God, Paul screw it all up, ok. Read the Jesus Dynasty by James Tabor, then you will know it don't really matter anyhow. I leave you with these thoughts: Live and let Live. The person without sin, MAY THROUGH THE FIRST STONE. GOD you people are pathetic!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Tabor

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/story?id=1746724

I got Good News for you all: "Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. but while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being inerpreted is, GOD WITH US" (Matthew 1:18-23).

And in regards to James Tabor's so-called "gospel": "I marvel that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some (like James Tabor) that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ (Galatians 1:6-10).

And for all of you who will try to silence this message (and this messenger), here's what God's Word says about that: "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John (and Hadassah) answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

There is still no god. Never has been, never will be one.

Hadassah again, please don't waste your time talking to yourself about me. That is all you are doing if you are praying for me. You are talking to yourself and nothing more. You must not understand what being an atheist is. An atheist does not believe in any type of god so how can I be angry at your so called god? That is like saying I'm angry at Santa because I didn't get that toy I wanted on Christmas day. Neither is real so how can I be angry?

Besides, I don't have time to be angry at invisible things in the world. I'd rather be angry about things that are real in the world. I will never, ever, ever go back to religion and if I'm wrong about it all when I die I'll give your so called god the middle finger and tell him to go eat a bag of chit and ask for a window seat on my trip to hell but I'm not worried about that happening.

Addisonattimes to bad you live in Mass. Would love to meet you in person and buy you a beer, if you drink. Thanks for the backup.

Dear Kevin_of_Bangor,

This will be my last posting on BDN. The Lord brought me back to this place to tie up loose ends. He brought me back to minister one last time to you. He’s calling me to other work, and has let me know via His word that I am not to “return” to this. It was for a season, and that season has ended.

Kevin, you said you will “never, ever go back to religion”, and I don’t blame you. God didn’t invent religion—man did. God wants a relationship with us—not a bunch of religiosity that has no meaning at all. He created us for His pleasure. He created us to have fellowship with Him. Sin has broken our fellowship with God. Sin has separated us from Him. But He moved Heaven and hell to remove the barrier between us and Him. He’s made a way for us to come to Him. But it’s our choice whether or not we want to have a personal relationship with Him.

In regards to what you said about not wasting my time praying for you, and how you said I am talking to myself about you. God’s Word tells me to make intercessory prayers for all people, including you. God’s Word tells me in Acts 10:4 that my prayers come up before Him. God’s Word tells me in 1 Peter 3:12 that His eyes are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers. God’s Word tells me in Revelation 5:8: “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of the saints.” God’s Word tells me in Revelation 8:3, 4 “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.” So you see, Kevin, I’m not wasting my breath nor my time when I pray for you and for your soul. And I know God is working in your heart and is drawing you to Himself—your coming back to this article long after it was written—is proof enough of that. Yet, ultimately, what you do with what the Lord is showing you is up to you. It is your choice. He is simply giving you the choice. He is extending His grace and mercy to you. And He is saying, “Come unto Me, Kevin, and I will give you rest…” He wants to give you rest for your soul. He wants to remove the barrier that is between you and Him. He wants you to become His child. He loves you, and merely wants you to love Him back. Is that a bad thing?

God doesn’t want you to “go back to religion”—to whatever it was you were involved in and came out of. He is calling you to follow Him—not a human being, not a religion, not a philosophy, or whatever. He wants you, Kevin. But He won’t force you to love Him, for that wouldn’t be real love, would it, if He made us love Him?

You said in your posting, “IF I’m wrong about it all…” and then went on to say what you will do to God when you die, and also how you will ask for a window seat on your trip to hell… So, let’s consider your “If I’m wrong about it…” statement. If you are wrong about it, Kevin, then here’s the deal, according to the Word of God: Philippians 2:10-11 says, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” According to these scriptures, IF you are wrong about it all, the only thing you will be saying with your tongue is that Jesus Christ is Lord as you bow your knee before Him. IF you are wrong about it, you won’t be asking for a window seat on your trip to hell. In fact, you are already wrong in assuming that hell will be your final destination. You see, Kevin, we are told in Revelation 1:18 that Jesus has the keys of hell and death. And we are told that death and hell are going to be cast into the lake of fire. This is what’s called “the second death.” Matthew 25:41 tells us that the lake of fire is an “everlasting fire”, that was actually prepared for the devil and his angels—not for mankind. Revelation 20:10 tells us, “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Satan knows his future state. He knows his time is short. Why do you think he’s so mad? Why do you think he is so busy trying to deceive and destroy us—God’s creation, whom God loves and wants to save, deliver, and heal, but whom Satan wants to steal from, kill, and destroy? The lake of fire is where all who reject God and choose to follow the world, their own flesh, and the devil will end up. People who reject God are signing their own death warrants. They are condemning themselves and consigning themselves to eternal punishment and to eternal banishment from God’s presence. This is not God’s desire, and it is definitely not God’s heart.

All of us have been “sold under sin”, according to Romans 7:14. But Romans 8:2 tells us we can be free from the law of sin and death. How? By accepting the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Simple enough. Sadly, most people choose to reject the Lord, and thus bring the sentence of death upon themselves. Revelation 20:14-15 says, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” The only way for any of us to get our name written in the book of life is to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our own personal Savior. He’s willing to write your name in the book of life, Kevin. But the question is: Are you willing? Again, the choice is yours.

The Lord has given me His heart for people—especially for the lost, like you. He has called me to share with those still sitting in the darkness of Satan’s prisonhouses that there is help and there is Hope—and that both help and hope is found in the Lord Jesus. He has opened all the prison doors. And all you have to do is walk out of that prison. Back when the slaves were freed here in America, many of the slaves chose to remain with their masters. They chose to remain bound instead of choosing freedom. They chose to stay with what was “familiar” to them rather to embrace the “unknown.” Sadly, the Lord has freed us from sin, and the prison doors are opened, but many are choosing to remain slaves. It breaks the Lord’s heart. And it breaks my heart as well. He has placed within me His heart of love and compassion for others, and just as He weeps for lost souls, so, too, do I weep for lost souls. Psalm 56:8 lets me know that those tears are not wasted. In fact, it says He puts my tears in a bottle. If you are wrong about it all, Kevin, and you reject the Lord Jesus even with your dying breath, then the Lord Himself will be weeping for you.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Thessalonians 1:15). He came to save sinners. He came to save me. He came to save you. I accepted His invitation, and I pray you will as well.

I have had a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ for many years now and this is what I have come to discover about Him: “Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee” (Psalm 73:25). He is awesome, Kevin! I pray you will discover this for yourself.

As I said at the start of this posting, I will not be posting on BDN again. I’ve finished the work the Lord had for me to do. He can send others to share His Word and share Him, if He so desires. His Word declares that “some plant, some water, but it is God that gives the increase.”

I have been praying for you, and will continue to do so. Others are praying for you as well. And before you repeat the words, “There is no God”, please consider this: “NO GOD, NO PEACE….KNOW GOD, KNOW PEACE!” It’s your choice.

Get out of there church if they stand behind this life style.Because they are not teaching Gods truth.This act is sin plain and simple.You will never be able to look at your children and say I love you because two of the same gender can not have children.What are you thinking when you say gay people should be able to marry.Are you trying to fill your offering plates any way you can.What about the babies being aborted this is also a sin as bad as gay sex.You can say I judge you by your acts your right I do.Pray he will answer ,Jesus is God he will deliver you from this sin if you want to be.Repent from this way of life you are missing out on some great times with the women of your life if your a man.And if your a woman your missing out on great times with your guy.Please change your mind from this way of life .God is real.

All Have The Right To Be Happy So Is Gay's Can Not The Why Should Strait People Who Cares What Is Going On I There Bed Room As Long As They Are Happy. So If You Think Gay Should Not Mairry Then Swingers And People Who Have Affairs Should Be Shot .

Are they happy?If they are who cares its wrong.Read your bible Jesus wants you to repent from this life style.Turn your life around and be a real man or woman.You can,t have it both ways.A real man marries a woman.Real woman marry a man get it.God is real .

Yea The Bible Is Just A Story On Gods Life. Told And Changed More Times The Your Underwere. So I Say Who Care's God Forgive All And He Is The Only One That Has The Right To PassJudment On And Not You Or Any One Els Has That Right.

Read acts 2:38 and pray to God for him to help you .Jesus will help you if you let him.Repent he will forgive you.

Ok Frist Of All I Was A Holer Then Thought Person Like Your Self But The I Came Out. And If You Read Your Bible It Tells You Not To PassJudement. So If AnyOne Need's To Repant It Is You And Thoughs Like You.

You know it,s wrong to Sleep with your own gender.I am guilty for standing up to you and people like you .I had it with the likes of you.When they abort babies and we say noting when a guy wants to get married to a guy and we say noting. I for one am at least going let you know this is wrong.If anybody out there is a elected to the state house to be my voice . Stand up to this please. Be a man or women who says enough is enough.If you get elected next time or not.I think we need to draw a line in the sand again.George W was right the war will be fought.And this way of thinking has to stop.

This Is 2008 It Is Time To Chang There Is No More Room For Narrow-Minded People Like You. There Is A lot Of Churchs Out There Built Around Gay's And Lesbian. Do You Not See The Changs We Are Making As An Coutry. Hope We All Can Take One Good Look Around And See We Are All Equal And That It Dose Not Matter What Race Or Lifestyle You Are. We Are All Created Equal Under God.

Exactly, if you want to be a rump ranger then have at it. Look at the greeks.

You guys that want to go out with guys can,t get a date or what?

I'm In A 5 Year Go Stong Relationship. So I do Not Need A Date. I'm Done With You And I Do Not Need To Wast My Time Trying To Explain My Lifestyle To A Narrow-Minded Person Such As YourSelf. Hope God Has Merci On Your Sole.