I have a large family and a very wide circle of friends from all over the world. I admit, I use a certain social media platform to (try to) keep up on what they are doing, their interests, and their concerns.<\/p>\n
My “friends” on that social media network have a wide range of religious and political beliefs. I respect that each person is entitled to his or her opinions. I have often wondered though, since we live on the same planet and my family comes from the same gene pool, how can some of us be fundamentally worlds apart when it comes to certain matters, like the fact that I was born gay and when it became legal in my state, I was legally married in a civil court to my one-and-only man.<\/p>\n
There are some fundamental opinions that…
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\n…a few of my more Christian religiously-adherent and conservative family have stated. This is why it bothers me–these are blood relatives who I am talking about. <\/p>\n
These are direct quotes from some of their posts:<\/p>\n
There are more posts with statements like this that I have read, but for purposes of this post, these will suffice.<\/p>\n
I have a rule for my posts on that social media platform: no politics, no religion. I apply that rule pretty much to this blog. There are other places for those matters to be debated on the internet, and I do not believe that what is supposed to be a fun platform about puppies, travels, and daily activities should express strong points of view about religion or politics. But some of my friends and family behave otherwise. I regret that I have had to “defriend” a few of them who post frequent extreme, intolerant, and hateful points of view.<\/p>\n
As for me and most of my friends and immediate family, we believe:<\/p>\n
This is enough, but demonstrates why there remains so much divisiveness between those who believe a certain way, trained by years of indoctrination bordering on brainwashing, and the rest of us who study, read, and have a wider view of the world that is not defined by religious beliefs.<\/p>\n
I carry on with my life, driven by faith and strong moral values, to do good and be respectful to all. I know from science how genetics composed my DNA and thus, why I am gay. I live in a committed, loving relationship with one man who I cherish beyond the ends of the Earth, or for some — in all of God’s universe. I am no better, no worse, than you. <\/p>\n
But for those who adhere to fundamentalist points of view imposed by religion, I feel sorry, or pity, because they have chosen to live a life that is limited to a inaccurately-defined reality. No worries, though, I’ll still pray for you and you can pray for me, too. <\/p>\n
Life is short: keep an open mind through being educated and have faith that even the fundamentalists may eventually be saved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I have a large family and a very wide circle of friends from all over the world. I admit, I use a certain social media platform to (try to) keep up on what they are doing, their interests, and their … Continue reading