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Missionaries of Hate
DeMon’s Dilemma
The Religion Debate Continues
I posted a copy of my blog entry entitled “Religion Seeks To Kill Spirituality” on a popular gay African American discussion forum that I’m a member of. It had the same effect that the original had when I first posted it on this blog… it BLEW UP and stirred controversy which led to an interesting debate among those who read it. I was really impressed by everyone’s ideas and how perspicacious and well articulated their arguments were. Sometimes in those type of forums, people can get very disrespectful and overly argumentative when others disagree with their point of view, but for some reason this discussion didn’t head that way at all. I was so pleased with our discussion, so I decided to post the “back & forth” repartee here on my “Blue Options” blog.
CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THIS BLOG ENTRY WITH A LIST OF ALL COMMENTS
THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL BLOG POST THAT STARTED IT ALL:
I believe there’s something very dark in the human spirit that religion seems to prey upon. Like when slavery was legal in this country. These slave owners considered themselves Christians. They had no problem committing some of the worst most heinous atrocities on a fellow human being on a daily basis, and they saw nothing wrong with this. Those slave owners weren’t some dumb illiterate back-woods hicks that didn’t know any better. They were educated highly respected pillars of their community, and still they saw nothing wrong with what they were doing. We were all born with an inherent sense of right and wrong. I know murder is wrong, with or without a law that tells me so. When we start looking in a book to gage our moral compass, or letting a book written by man tell us how we should live our lives, we lose one of the greatest gifts God has given us, which is FREEWILL and the ability to think for ourselves. Once we give that up, our minds become easily manipulated. This is so dangerous because the people that we look to for guidance may have deceitful motives or devious intentions, but because you gave up your critical thinking abilities, you can’t see the evil in this person and in their actions, so you follow him blindly.
I don’t want anyone to think I’m bashing Christians, because I’m not at all. I was raised in a very religious Christian home, so I have a great respect for the message it teaches. I’m addressing religion as a whole here, and the beliefs of religious extremist. I do believe in God, and I consider myself a spiritual person, but If you want to give me a label, all I can say is I do not identify myself as “a Christian”, and that’s because I do not allow other people to define my relationship with God because that’s between me and him. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me and my way of thinking because I hope after reading this, you’ll start to use your gift of “freewill” and “critical thinking” to find your own path and discover what you truly believe.
1ST COMMENT:
40 or 50 years ago the church folks would have taken you to the altar and tried to pray a demon out of you for this post (I’ve seen it done, especially in the COGIC). But now in 2010 when Black folks are being educated like never before and are using their brain to THINK instead of following like little lost sheep to the slaughter…………….it can be truly appreciated by so many more.
My compliments to you for this post.
(Yup, fixin’ to click on that link and read more. LOL)
2ND COMMENT:
I LOVE THE WAY YOU WORDED THIS AND EXPLAINED IT! ITS SO TRUE. A LOT OF PEOPLE IGNORE THE WHOLE “SPIRITUAL” ASSETTS OF THE HUMAN BEING. WE OURSELVES ARE A SPIRIT. WE FUNCTION IN SPIRIT. EVERY CHOICE WE MAKE, IS MADE IN OUR SPIRIT WHETHER IT BE RIGHT OR WRONG. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN BEING A CHRISTIAN WITH MORALS, AND BEING A INDIVIDUAL SPIRIT WITH MORALS BECAUSE WHEN YOU LIVE IN YOUR SPIRIT YOU ARE SELF-AWARE AND CONSCIOUS OF THE THINGS THAT WILL HARM, NEGLECT, DESTRUCT, AND OR RUIN THE SPIRIT. COMMON SENSE HAS ALOT TO DO WITH IT! IF A PERSON RUNS AROUND DOING BAD THINGS AND DECEITFUL THINGS THEY DISAPPOINT THE SPIRIT WITHIN BUT THEY DONT NOTICE IT USUALLY UNTIL THEY SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES! BUT ABOVE THAT THEY DISSAPPOINT GOD WHICH IS THEN CAUSING THEM TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS WHICH WOULD START WITH ONE’S SELF. YOU HAVE TO FORGIVE YOURSELF IN ORDER FOR GOD TO FORGIVE YOU! THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO SAY BUT I’M JUST GONNA END WITH THIS: THERE IS A HIGHER POWER. THERE IS A SUPERNATURAL POWER. THERE IS A INNER POWER AND THERE IS A EXISTING POWER(WHICH WOULD BE THE POWER TO EXIST WITHOUT THOUGHT) SO THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO LIFE THAN WHHAT IS TOLD, SAD THING IS THAT PPL DNT WANNA TAKE THE TIME TO FIND A MEANING FOR THEMSELVES!
3RD COMMENT:
“WE FUNCTION IN SPIRIT. EVERY CHOICE WE MAKE, IS MADE IN OUR SPIRIT WHETHER IT BE RIGHT OR WRONG”
spirit/soul …… ughhh girl….
Soul is a type of music, but some people believe it to be some kind of spiritual thingie that every human is supposed to have, and which is supposed to survive when his physical body dies. But since this thing is non-physical, it again cannot interact with the physical world without violating basic science. So we have the same situation as with “god”: a “soul” could hypothetically exists, but it can have no connection with the physical world.
I think the word you’re using(spirit) is wrong what you need to be using is the word conscious . try it , plug inn the word “conscious ” where you have “spirt” and that then be correct .
4TH COMMENT:
Religion is not the culprit people are for perverting good teachings.
5TH COMMENT:
This is coming from the guy who just made up his own doctrines in a previous post- take responsibility for your actions don’t blame some words on a page which have a choice to adhere to or not
6TH COMMENT:
made up ????????
“take responsibility for your actions don’t blame some words on a page which have a choice to adhere to or not”
WTF Are you talking about yet once again …. and who are you talking about … hunny hush please ..
7TH COMMENT: I wrote this one in response to comment #1
You’re right. I’ve seen it done before too. Thanks for checking out my blog and leaving a comment. It’s good to know that there are other “level headed” intelligent thinkers here besides me (lol).
8TH COMMENT:
stop making excuses. this is all u need to know- God is real, He requires His ppl to b a certain way. going to church is good for the soul for many reasons im too lazy to explain, praying is good, being spiritually encouraged is good. Living an active homosexual lifestyle is a sin and u all know it, but are just too weak to admit it.
9TH COMMENT: I wrote this comment in response to comment #8
You’re entitled to your opinion, and I respect your beliefs… but I really feel sorry for you. I know how much self-hatred it takes for you to actually believe all of that. I hope and pray that you’ll find the strength and courage to live your life in a way that brings happiness to you and your soul. Life is such a precious thing, and our time here on earth is way too short to not live it to the fullest.
10TH COMMENT:
ok u dont have to pray fpor me man..i dont hate myself- i love myself 100% im just stating what is true and what God-the creator of the universe wants–u r totally blind. yes its good to live life to the fullest, but lliving in sin is not living at all—-gay life is sin—if it was ok, it would be accepted from the beginning of time. i understand gay feelings that we cant control exist, but actually acting on those feelings is the sin and evil im talking about. u need to reflect on things more, dont make me sound like i’m the one confused. i’m not—u r.
11TH COMMENT: this comment was written by someone who addressed comment #10
I think what is throwing people off are the mixed messages you are sending. On the one hand you say you believe that sexual gay expression is wrong and against God. On the other, your two profile pictures are extremely homoerotic and sexually provocative (bare chest, tight underwear showcasing your erect penis). Even your profile name, “hung112”, is highly suggestive. These indicate blatant intellectual inconsistency and maybe moral even hypocrisy. Few people will take you seriously if you profess one thing but yet (apparently) do quite another.
12TH COMMENT: this is #10 responding to #11
yes i know this. its the reason i didnt even want to comment. it is very hyporytical of me. but i do stand by what i say; i need to do this, or do my spiritual thing–i cant do both. so i agree with you
13TH COMMENT: this is #11 responding to #12
I appreciate that you were truthful and transparent regarding your struggle. A less honest, less secure person (many of whom are on BGC) would have snapped defensive or even hostile when confronted like this. If you know the Lord and believe the Word, I hope that you would yield yourself to him fully and turn away from all the things that displease him.
I know it’s not popular, but the truth is that those who claim to follow Christ should live righteously as he commanded:
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Ephesians 4:22-24
14TH COMMENT: I wrote this comment in response to comment #10 and I think it’s a very fitting end to our discussion:
I understand what you’re saying, but the one thing that I take issue with in your response, was the part where you say you’re “just stating the truth“. I have strong beliefs and I never shy away from discussing my beliefs with other people that are willing to engage and debate those beliefs and ideas. But as strong as my beliefs are, I would NEVER EVER be arrogant enough to believe that I alone possess the only truth there is.
You also said that I made you sound like you’re confused. If I did imply that in my previous response, I’m sorry because that was not my intention. I do believe you’re misguided, but not confused.
Religion Seeks To Kill Spirituality
What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality
Their Own Receive Them Not: African American Lesbians And Gays in Black Churches
Broken Spirit
While I was reading the latest developments about this story, searching different blogs and established print media (on the web); I stumbled upon something that switched my anger into utter despair. I noticed that a majority of the comments that were left on all the African American targeted blogs were siding with Uganda’s attempt to execute gays. That just blew me away. I really didn’t expect that amount of hatred from my own race. A race that I’m proud to be a part of, a race that has first hand knowledge of how oppression and violent injustice feels. I just don’t understand… why, or how this came to be. I would of never guessed that my race would ever under any circumstances, take on the role of the oppressor. I just can’t get my head around that one. I’ve tried and tried and tried to make sense of it all, but disappointingly, it turns into a contest of futility. If I can’t convince my own race to change and see things rationally, then what chances do I have to convince a whole country.
*FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS BLOG POST BELOW:
E Lynn Harris – The Passing Of A Brilliant Author
I was very troubled to hear about the passing of Mr. Harris. To me he was more than just an author. He helped me see that being an out gay black male was possible. The way I first discovered his writing was kind of serendipitous. I was a very unhappy closeted college freshman at East Carolina University. I’ve always had a passion for reading, and used books as a way to escape the reality of my inner-turmoil. I would go to Barnes and Nobel quite often to sip coffee and find new books to read. I was aware that they had a “Gay and Lesbian interest” book section, but I was so deeply closeted that I couldn’t even walk towards that isle (even though I wanted to very badly). During one of my days there, I walked around a bit, and found a couple of books that looked interesting. I went to purchase my coffee, and found a comfortable chair to sit in while I went through my books to see which ones I wanted to buy. I sat my things on the coffee table in front of me, and I noticed an interesting looking book lying there on the table that someone had left for the employees to re-shelve. I picked it up and read the title “Invisible Life”. That really peaked my interest because I felt as though I were living a kid of invisible life. I started to read and it drew me in instantly. When I noticed that they were about to close the store, I had already went through half of the book. As soon as I got home, I couldn’t sleep. All I could think about were the characters and how much I could relate to things that they were going through. I knew I had a morning class at 8am, and I’d feel like hell if I didn’t get any sleep, but I didn’t care. I got back up, and finished the book just as the sun was rising. It was the first time in my life that I watched the sun rise, and really felt as though it was a new day. Over the next couple of days, I read the book again until I could get another chance to hit Barnes and Nobel and search for another one of his books titled “Abide With Me”. In those few short days, my world felt as though it had transformed. I thought being gay was a curse bestowed upon me, and I was destined to live my life in lonely solitude, but E. Lynn’s book gave me hope. It help me see that I could be happy. I could find love. I could be the person God made me. All of that never occurred to me before. This time when I walked into the book store, I headed directly to the “Gay and Lesbian Interest” section. The store was very busy with people, and I didn’t care at all. Just three days before, I couldn’t fathom going down that asile and taking my time looking for a book. So for me, Mr. Harris was not just an author of gay fiction. This man and his books completely changed my life… and changed it for the better. Before I read that first novel, it had never occurred to me that I could have a healthy loving relationship. Without his books, I would of never met Brook (my ex). My five year relationship with him was the happiest I’ve been in my whole adult life. Whoever I was before that trip to Barnes and Nobel, I don’t know who that is anymore. It’s like looking back at someone else’s life. When I heard the news on CNN about the death of E. Lynn Harris, it really sadden me. I wanted to meet him, and tell him my story of how he helped me, and how he changed my life. I just wanted to thank him, and now it’s to late. My only solace and hope is that he passed knowing about how many lives he’s touched and how much his work has helped me and millions of people just like me. For this, I am forever grateful.
R I P Mr. E. Lynn Harris
Let’s See The Homophobic Evangelicals Explain This One.
I have two words for you; GAY PENGUINS. Yes, you heard me; GAY freakin’ PENGUINS. I guess I should explain. I was reading one of my favorite blogs “The Huffington Post”, and I see a headline that reads “Two Gay Penguins Raising A Chick”. Of course my first thought was WTF?!? Then I read the story, and in a way, it made me feel a little bit better about who I am, and it also made me think, if these two gay male Penguins found love and started a family, maybe there’s hope for me after all. I would love to hear those Bible thumping extreme right wing Republican evangelical homophobes explain this one. lol… I’m waiting?
Here’s the whole story from “The Huffington Post”:
BERLIN — A German zoo says a pair of gay male penguins are raising a chick from an egg abandoned by its parents.
Bremerhaven zoo veterinarian Joachim Schoene says the egg was placed in the male penguins’ nest after its parents rejected it in late April. The males incubated it for some 30 days before it hatched and have continued to care for it. The chick’s gender is not yet known.
Schoene said the male birds, named Z and Vielpunkt, are one of three same-sex pairs among the zoo’s 20 Humboldt penguins that have attempted to mate.
Homosexual behavior has been documented in many animal species.
The zoo said in a statement on its Web site Thursday that “sex and coupling in our world don’t always have something to do with reproduction.”
HERE’S A LINK TO THIS STORY ON HUFFINGTON POST:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/04/two-gay-penguins-and-a-ch_n_211497.html
GAY MARRIAGE RIGHTS
Visit www.whiteknot.org for more information. This country just elected it’s first African American president. If we can do that, we can do anything.
D5 Creation