xposted to Naughty·lil·Devils, Power·to·the·People, & The·Argument·Clinic

10:30 AM 10/8/08 · One of the arguments for Proposition 8 is that if it doesn't pass then churches run the risk of being taxed and due to their discrimination against homosexuality they, and their officilas, run the risk of being sued. In the first, I've never understood why they were never taxed in the first place...and certainly now with the economy being such a mess I can certainly see benefits for their vast funds being directed to help others rather than largely horded.

Yeah, sure, churches use their income to help others. I don't doubt that entirely but when was the last time you were in a church that didn't look all shiny and beautiful and lovely inside? They seem to be spending much more on themselves than the people they're supposed to serve.

As to the 2nd worry, good. Being a Black American I'm well aware of the discrimination my own have had to suffer through both for being what we are as well as when we engaged in mixed marriages, both early on and to this day in some places. I don't believe, certainly can't recall, any cases where those couples even tried to bring legal action into the mix for any number of reasons...so if gay couples wanted to sue for churches refusing to do as they'd do for anyone else than I think they deserve their day in court.

You will note that unlike a lot of businesses, churches do not have a sign inside them that states "reserve the right to refuse service to any we choose to". That would be counterproductive to the purpose churches are supposed to serve.

11:09 AM 10/1/08 · As much as I enjoy poking fun at McCain & Palin, could almost make a living off it if someone would pay me, there are other matters to be considered. That'd be the Propositions. Now I've really only heard about 2 of these so far, on the news, without doing any real research on them but one of them seems to be really key right now.

Proposition 8.

An oversimplification would be that if it passes then homosexuals will lose the right to marry. If it doesn't then they may continue and, with any luck, the ability for them to do so will be able to spread wider. More locations, more happy couples. Or, to put it another way, I think gays should have just as much right to be potentially miserable as everybody else.

I've really only seen two commercials on this particular proposition so far. One, which fortunately hasn't been getting as much screen time, makes this whole bit that if gays are allowed to marry then it will be taught in our schools and it will be in our churches and a few other vague references that personally I think would be a good thing.

The only other is in favor of it and I like how it presents itself. An older couple, old but not what I'd call elderly, going on about how they've always treated their children well and fairly. How that if Proposition 8 passes then a couple of their children's marriages will be declared invalid and how that's wrong.

I agree.

When I was a much littler me, my parents taught me about marriage. They said that when two people loved each other they formed this perfect union and made a pledge to one another of their love before the world and God. Now it's possible they meant a man and a woman but they didn't say that. Either way, they're definitely for gay marriage now...

...and frankly, I've never understood any reason as to why it was supposed to be wrong.

In my eyes there's 4 types of gay person. There are those born to it who either embrace it or choose not to live that way for any number of reasons; that's 2 right there. There's straight people, as though implying anyone else is crooked, who choose to become gay. Then there's ye olde school and lesser used anymore definition of an exceptionally happy person.

There are those of a more religious bent that say that homosexuality is evil and gays are a blight on the world or an affront against God. Personally I think they're idiots. Simply put, it would seem to me that if God was so against gay people then the Big Guy would stop making them.

Anyway, that's my 25¢ on the matter.

xposted to Naughty·lil·Devils & Power·to·the·People

A word or two about Sarah Palin from Margaret Cho

"Actually the majority of the bible is an instruction booklet on genocide. It's a minority of passages that deal with love and tolerance."

What is your favorite religious joke?