I really don’t get Religion today.

Take the whole issue with the factions of the Episcopal Church. You have some Nigerian wing trying to co-opt the American Wing, by appealing to the so called Conservatives who are opposed to Gays being in the Church, or involved in it. It’s all part and parcel of their own hatred for differences, I guess, or something else. Not too sure, other than the simple fact that Nigeria is well noted for its criminal activities, and support of those activities. I mean, haven’t we all gotten those famous emails about some Prince or other?

(New York City) A key Episcopal panel defied conservatives Thursday, saying that Episcopal leaders should not cede authority to overseas Anglicans who want the church to halt its march toward full acceptance of gays. (see Story)

You have to figure, that if supposed Men of God can’t get together, how in the hell are the rest of us going to? It is rather disheartening as well, to see how adamant these so called ‘conservatives‘ are about Gays. I mean are they afraid we’ll somehow turn them? Or is it that they simply are so insecure, that they actually believe that Gays will in some way corrupt them? Mind you, given how corrupt they are already, that don’t seem likely.

Still, I always believed that the precepts of all major religions was that GOD loved his children, no matter what. Christians I thought had this notion that it was the shunned, the lame, the weak, who were targets of their Church. After all, they love to say how Christ walked among the lepers, to give them GOD’s words of love, and how he insisted on surrounding himself with those who were shunned by society of the times.

So it makes me wonder, why are they the biggest shouters demanding Gays be thrown out, or disenfranchised? I mean, they should be offering Air Miles or something to get us in, simply so they can do GOD’s work, which was to include everyone. Yet, today, it is about Exclusion, and I wonder, when did that happen? 

Canada’s third largest  religious group meets soon, to decide if they will allow blessings of same sex couples or not. It is not any different than the growing consternation by all religions and while some are doing what I believe is the right thing, others are digging in their heels. Like the Roman Catholic church under Pope Benedict the Dictator. The Anglicans in the United States are in turmoil, those who don’t get their way threatening to split from the main group.

The church, which represents some two million Canadians and is the country’s third largest religious denomination, has spent almost 30 years trying to figure out how same-sex relationships fit into the Christian faith. As they approach a vote on the issue later this month at the church’s General Synod in Winnipeg, many members are wary of the outcome. (see Story)

In Judaism, all but the strictly orthodox have not only accepted same sex marriage, but are accepting Gay Rabbi’s as well. Still the Catholic Church is vowing to rid its Priesthood of all Gay Priests. Such differences, and yet both religions are supposedly about following God’s words. I wonder if the real issue isn’t about what these leaders believe is God’s words, but more about keeping their Church Exclusive.

Jews for example do not believe Jesus Christ was the savior or son of God. Does that make us stupid or foolish? It is our opinion, but let us assume for one second that there is no dispute of whether Christ was the Son of God. If that is the case, how can any Christian, any follower, accept the leadership viewpoint that some are not allowed in HIS church? Christ walked among the lepers, not to just cure their suffering, as he didn’t cure them all, but as a sign that EVERYONE was part of GOD’s FAMILY.

It is the symbol that has somehow been ignored. Christ, from all accounts, didn’t sit in comfort with the politicians of the day, didn’t partake in the extravagant parties, and when he fed the mulitudes, it wasn’t with cavier or smoked lux. He stood among those who needed him, the shunned, the outcasts, and he made them believe that GOD had not forsaken them, that they were INCLUDED in GOD’S LOVE.

So why should there even be a discussion today?

If the Pope truly believes in GOD, in Jesus Christ, then why does he demand those who follow him abandon Christ? Why does any Christian demand that those who are different, those who are shunned, be EXCLUDED?

The more one’s grow older, closer to that final journey, the more one also realizes just how bigoted religion has become. You have supposed educated men denouncing others, not for being murders, not for being crooks, but for simply being different. Some will call it Religious Fervor, others will call it Adhering to Family Values, but in all honesty it is nothing more than Bigotry.

Recently in Rome, a whole bunch gathered to denounce that country’s proposed civil union law. Now, this isn’t marriage, merely the legal right for those of the same sex to enjoy the same benefits heterosexuals enjoy in Italy. It isn’t about having the Pope officiate at any same sex partnership ceremonies, nor is it about faith either. It is about being able to visit a loved one sick in hospital, about being able to name your partner as a beneficiary should you pass on, about insurance, about health and all those Non Religious benefits. Yet thousands protested against giving other human beings those simple rights, those humane rights.

Hundreds of thousands of people turned out for the demonstration to protest a bill that would grant legal rights to unmarried couples, including hospital visits and inheritance rights. The bill does not legalize gay marriage, as was done in other European countries, such as Spain. (see Story)

What gets me pissed off, is that if you read the Bible, GOD is about LOVE, about COMPASSION. Instead of preaching those sentiments, the Pope is more concerned about fomenting hatred, and racism. He even calls this protest against granting gays the right to visit their loved ones in hospital, a Festival. I mean really, just how cruel can this Ex Nazi get?

Benedict called the May 12 Family Day rally, organized by Catholic groups and family associations, a “great and extraordinary popular festival.” (see Story)

Sometimes, after hearing stuff like this, makes me wish I was back in the closet. But then I look over at the wife, see him smile at me, and then I just realize, being silent, hiding, isn’t a solution to ending this bigotry that confronts us. It also makes one take more care in who one chooses to vote for. Least it should.

President Bush threatens to veto any Hate Crime legislation that includes protection for Homosexuals. Churches and Evangelical Leaders are pushing for not just Bush to Veto the bill, but also to have the Senate defeat it. Yet, while across America, many who call themselves religious, who claim to worship Christ, over in the United Kingdom nearly 85% support the government’s decision to make discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal.

Is the Atlantic Ocean that huge?

America was founded by the ancestors of those now living in the United Kingdom, so it begs the question. Where did it go so wrong? I mean seriously, America has evolved into a very bigoted nation, and it isn’t getting any better. Look at the Candidates today. Before it was a death knell for a politician to claim religious affiliation. Even John F. Kennedy had to go public in stating that he would not let his religion sway him or influence his decisions.

Someone obviously forgot to tell George Bush and Stephen Harper that.

Today, both parties are rushing to garner the religious seal of approval. You have the Catholic Church pushing for open borders, for amnesty for the illegal immigrants, while at the same time denouncing the right of gays to be protected from hatred. They attack gay rights across the country, and have made schools battlefields for it, while all the time claiming their holy calling to protect the world.

So let me see if I have this right. People break laws to get into the United States and the Catholic Church supports their right to stay, to gain citizenship over those who try to comply with those laws. At the same time, that they want to give special rights to them, they want to deny homosexuals the same rights as other citizens?

Guy could get whiplash from that one.

It found that three quarters of those surveyed would “be comfortable” knowing their child’s teacher is gay and most people do not care if their doctor is gay. (see Story)

Yet in the United States, even when a non gay teacher tries to stop bullying, stop bigotry in her classroom, she almost loses her job. (see comment ‘Teachers Losing Control‘) Or how about that Hardaway Incident or Tony Dungy. The huge stink about gays in professional sports, yet even in Britain that taboo is inconsequential. There they buy into the simple notion, do your job well and who cares if you are straight or queer.

Even in the macho world of British football there was support for gay players. Ninety-two percent said they don’t care if a player is gay or straight as long as they play well. (see Story)

So where did things go so wrong for the United States? When they broke away, did they not just through off the yoke of Empire, but did they toss the values of the mother country? Kind of makes you think so, given how anti-gay the United States has become these days. Maybe the Pope should move to Boston? He’d be more comfortable with his own kind of bigots. After all, he could sit down with Mitt Romney and discuss how they are tolerant of gays, while trying to stick it to them at every turn.

I doubt if anyone doesn’t know Rev Phelps and his flock of Fanatics. Seems that while you and I are bound to follow the laws of the country, or face the consequences, this group of miscreants, believes they are immune from such laws, such as the copyright laws.

(Topeka, Kansas) A church known nationally for picketing soldiers’ funerals is being accused by a music company of violating copyright laws with an Internet video parody of the 1980s song, “We Are the World.” (see Story)

I wonder if the Music Company will pursue these violators as vigorously as they pursued those who were downloading music from those free music trading sites? I mean, will they go after them as hard, and if so, will they win? Be rather nice if they did win, and bankrupt these assholes, who use Religion to cloak their Racism.

You know it is odd, if you think about it, how some of the worst people in history never got nailed for their real crimes, but for other crimes. Take Al Capone who never got nailed for all the Murders he did, but for evading taxes. Guess it sort of like Dick Cheney claiming that he isn’t responsible for outing that spy, simply because, well he is the Vice President. What else does he have in common with Phelps and his Klan?

President Bush has threatened to VETO the new hate crimes legislation, if it passes the United States Senate. It has already passed the House. However, it makes no sense to deny adding sexual orientation to the Hate Crime law, given how not all States have protection, and when they don’t, Racist Murderers get away with their crime of Hate. Such as South Carolina for example.

The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said that Sean William Kennedy, 20, was walking to his car from a local bar when a car stopped along side him. A man got out, approached Kennedy and then hit him in the face.

Witnesses said the man made a derogatory remark about Kennedy’s sexuality.  The twenty-year old was openly gay friends said. (see Story)

Frankly, I don’t understand the stand by President Bush. First off all, he isn’t going to be running for office again, so does it matter if he appeases the religious fanatics or not? I mean it isn’t like the Republican Party is campaigning on his record anyhow, so he can at least do the right thing, and sign the Mathew Shepard Act into Law if the US Senate passes it.

Secondly, no matter what Religion you believe in, surely the wanton death of any person is not celebrated, or applauded? And surely in any religion, those who commit those crimes are considered to be outside the law of GOD, and yet, they refuse to grant protection for those who are the victims? What kind of Religion is that?

Because of an 18 year olds HATE, a 20 year old human being is now dead.

JUST FOR BEING GAY.