Notice for New Readers

Sorry I'm not able to add any new Labels at this time.  If people are interested in my writing about gay issues, I believe the last three documents are significant--they're showing in recent posts.  They're mainly written for Christian people, and Christian gays, but some others might have an interest, also.  Then, there's my first pamphlet which I wrote in 2013/2014.  There are some updates added, and people can go to the Archives for November 2022; and see the post "Accessing My Pamphlet."  This will show the dates where the pamphlet pages are found.  The Archives are in the sidebar.  Thank you.

God's Love--part 2

Here's an extra page for the pamphlet.

To Show God's Love...

In my life, I've reached a senior age.  On the way to getting there, I've faced different problems.  Sometimes it was nice when people gave me genuine encouragement--no lectures or criticism, just positive support.  And it was nice when I didn't give myself self-condemnation either!

Have written a Bible study pamphlet to try to give honest encouragement to the 2SLGBTQs in conservative churches....  Not for their sexual orientation, but for their lives in general.  If people have received this kind of support already, I think it's great.  But chances are, not everyone has?

Am not saying that conservative churches should never be concerned about sexual orientation.  In my church, we have rules for who can be an official member of the church.  But as far as I understand, anyone can be a Sabbath School/Sunday School member, as far as that goes [see pamphlet].

Homosexuality in India

From 1861, the Indian Penal Code in India had a criminal law against "unnatural offences."  This covered sexual behaviour between gay persons.  It wasn't until 2018 that the law was finally changed to allow consenting adult behaviour in private.  From 2009-2013 there had been some relief but the concession was overturned.  So, it took another five years to get a permanent change, it seems.  I understand this Penal Code now states that sexual orientation can't be changed; and I don't necessarily agree with that, but I believe people need freedom to make their choices.  And criminal punishments aren't appropriate, in my opinion.

Even with a change in 2018, I believe adults in India--or those who have emigrated from there--may have some trauma from how they were previously treated?  I believe we should have compassion for people; and we don't know what kind of personal struggles they've had...?  

A Message For My Church

 A little while ago, the pastor of my church told me about a problem at the church school.  Some gay people--he didn't say who--had requested the school to fly a rainbow flag, along with other schools in this area, as far as I understand.  The school felt that these people wanted them to approve of homosexuality...but I don't believe that was necessarily the case...?  I recently wrote a note to explain my views about the flag situation, and I gave it to the pastor....  I hope the school will come to some kind of an agreement with the gays...and they may need a little time to think about it...?  [Maybe some other schools will get an idea, also, if they meet the same request...?]

Islam and Homosexuality

A little while ago, someone brought up the religion of Islam to me; and they said Islam was not going along with our modern culture....  Have been doing a little study....

Some of the laws of Islam, and some Muslim countries, are very strict in their dealings with homosexuality [as of 2015].  There's a possible death penalty under Shariah law, as far as I understand [as of 2015].  Some other Muslim people have been re-examining the beliefs of Islam about homosexuality and they're watering down the issues....  They're compromising and excusing their views....  

Research has shown that in 2015, many Muslims believed the practise of homosexuality was wrong even if the Quran didn't address it much, if at all?  NOTE, added on September 11:  The story of Lot and the city of Sodom are included in the Quran, but there are different interpretations about them.  And otherwise, the Quran is less strict than the Bible.

Devout Muslims believe in Allah and they want to follow a code of morality.  It can be difficult for those who feel that they're inherently gay and who perhaps grew up with those feelings....  Sensible people understand that there needs to be support for gays within their religion but it's a challenge, and gays may spend time in confusion and dysfunction....  However, if Muslims want to hold to their standards, I believe it's their right to do so.  It's the same as in my church that I believe people are entitled to their beliefs.  

Instead of going along with traditional values alone, maybe people need to have a deeper look at the issues...?  They need to give some thought to these matters?  And if people decide on what's good for their own religion, then they can consider how they'll treat those outside of their religion, as I've been suggesting for conservative Christians....  According to my Internet research, there is some conflict within the Muslim faith?  But to be clear, I believe it IS OKAY for the different religions to have their beliefs and standards.  

My Third Pamphlet

Someone had recommended a special Bible commentary and a companion "study Bible," which were printed at the main theological seminary of my church in North America.  Was able to purchase these materials and work with them, along with other materials I've previously had, and I believe I was able to make a more professional pamphlet.  People might wonder if I'm a religious person(?)...but I can say I've had to reach out to God in the past years because I've had few other people to help me...!  So, I've prayed a lot, and have done my best, and I believe God has helped me.  I hope people will get some use out of this third pamphlet--and it may be my definitive answer to the conservative Christians and to their friends in uniform....  We'll see how long it takes everyone to respond to this latest information, or if we need to wait for them all...???  Sometimes there are things happening behind the scenes, and we may be able to carry on with our confidential business matters...?  [Please see the pages posted separately.]

My Third Pamphlet--pages 4 and 5

 

My Third Pamphlet--pages 1-3

                                                                                     

 

No Compromise--Part 2

Have to confess that my computer and Internet use are limited....  When I watched the church video, I skipped over some parts because I didn't have a lot of time and I thought I knew what the speaker was saying....  Yesterday, I went back over it and saw what I missed, and I have a little better idea...

This pastor did say, near the beginning, that churches shape and transform our culture.  I wonder if people want to say the churches have done a good job of handling homosexuality--like over the past 700 years, which I've written about before?  And is it the JOB of the church to transform our culture...?  

The pastor also was giving some facts about how aggressive gays have wanted to target young children with their messages....  Is it really that gays care about the children, or did they hope to promote a new generation which understood them better?  

Also, some Christian gays are distorting the Bible in order to say that same-sex marriage is good and desirable, that it's acceptable....  

In the video, the pastor was able to give a very clear explanation about homosexuality and why our church doesn't condone it.  I believe it's good to be able to give a reason for our faith.  And we need to uphold standards within the church.

THEN, this minister was talking about church members preaching the truth to gays in the church and encouraging them to overcome their way of life....  It's a sensitive thing in the Bible to point out someone else's errors; and I believe it's even more delicate when it comes to a person's sexual orientation.  Not to mention that any constructive criticism might be seen as "conversion therapy," which is condemned by professionals and is forbidden by law in Canada....  Conversion therapy has had a harmful effect on many gays because it made them doubt their self-worth and put them under pressure....  Maybe I'll write about it separately, when I have more time...?  Can we accept homosexuals as people, wherever they are, even if we don't give them specific privileges within the church...?  (There are some self-help groups available for gays, if they're interested, and I've seen that some of these are positive.)

Myself, I don't wish to condone homosexuality in any context, except that I understand when a gay couple feels love and wants to commit in a married relationship they are trying to improve their lives.--That's my view.  I accept "gay marriage--with religious exemptions."  The conservative churches don't believe in the practise of homosexuality, and therefore it's obvious that they don't want to accept same-sex marriage....  I think we don't need to state the obvious.  [Except we need to be able to defend our position, when and where necessary, as I mentioned above.]

My church has some official statements on various topics, and I just wish they'd give up their judgment of same-sex marriage for people OUTSIDE of the church....  I'd like to see them say, "We have our standards, but we don't judge others."  

Anyway, the issues are complicated and there can be many situations to deal with....  If we're not exactly sure what to do, I believe it's better to be nice--to have some mercy--rather than being harsh or judgmental.  The Bible says, "...And mercy rejoiceth against judgment."  James 2:13, KJV.  

No Compromise, But Show the Love of God--reacting to a church video, with respect

Just recently, I had an opportunity to watch a speech on YouTube which was given by a man who I understand has been a special assistant, or advisor, to the world president of my church.  The speaker has been a famous evangelist in the church and is now semi-retired, it seems, although he's still working hard.  The talk was labelled as being about LGBTQ+ issues, and the main point seemed to be to discredit same-sex marriage--even though the speaker wanted to be as kind and compassionate as possible, he said.

Would like to respectfully say that I agree with his views for MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH.  We don't want to have any compromise; and if people see me failing at any time, they can feel free to correct me....

The speaker also said something to the effect that the church can have a conforming influence on the world, rather than vice versa.  He quoted Romans 12:2, from the Bible --  "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  KJV.  And again, I agree with this text for CHURCH MEMBERS!

Is the church honestly meant to change, or influence, the sexual behaviour of people in the world--people outside the church, the non-believers?  I have to respond that I haven't found any Bible passages which state that.

If I may say, we are to preach the gospel--the "good news...!"  "I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works."  Psalm 145:5.  And "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven."  Matthew 5:16.

We need to do good works and show the love of Jesus in our lives.  Then, if and when people become interested in our faith, we can explain the finer details of our moral standards!  Isn't that fair?

NOTE:  For this blog post, I partially received some information and inspiration from a small book called "Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing" [about the Sermon on the Mount, by Jesus], by Ellen G. White, who was one of the founders of my church.

An Honest Question

When conservative Christian pastors and church members speak against gay marriage, are they responding to their God-given duties, or are they reacting from human fear of and prejudice against something they don't understand?--If Christian people haven't been exposed to close, gay relatives or acquaintances and haven't made an effort to process the right facts, chances are they don't understand enough...?  Please read my other posts from today.... 

A Few Comments--continued

Can mostly agree with the homosexuality booklet, except I wish they'd take out the Bible text on the death penalty for homosexual acts (Leviticus 20:13)....  It was a more primitive time, in some ways, that people lived in at that time....  Among other things, God's people were sometimes permitted, if not required, to kill their enemies....  And after Jesus came to the earth to show us how to live, He said, "Love your enemies...."  People don't live exactly the same way now as they did in the Old Testament times....

Also, the country of England, if not others also, had a death penalty for homosexual acts for hundreds of years....  People have been frightened....  I believe God had His reasons earlier for requiring the death penalty--for a number of sins--but we shouldn't take this judgment into our hands (and I'm not trying to say the Biblical Research Institute did)....  

[Sometimes the Israelites had to uproot their enemies on their way to the Promised Land.  Do Christians need to do that on their way to heaven and the new earth...?  If so, what about the pedophiles, MAPPERS, and child sex traffickers, whom we rarely hear about in churches?  Are we concerned about sin, and the souls of sinners?  Or are we just being critical?  I think we, in the western world, need to look at the history of gays in the western world within the past 1,000 years or more....  My second pamphlet and blog post go back about 700 years--and I got my information from credible sources....  We really need to see the big picture, in my opinion.]

A Few Comments on Church Research

Have been reading a booklet from the Biblical Research Institute of my church on homosexuality and the Bible, Release #6.  Was interested to read Leviticus 18:26, within a chapter on sexual sins.  "Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you...."  KJV.  Even the strangers, or foreigners, who were visiting among the Israelites were required to follow the laws....  However, the Bible doesn't say the Israelites had jurisdiction outside of their territory....  Today, the church has authority over their own properties, and they have influence over church members and their homes....

As I've been saying about the apostle Paul, he said in 1 Corinthians 5:13 that, "But them that are without God judgeth...."  Do the conservative churches need to harp on their perceived evils of same-sex marriages OUTSIDE of the church...!?  Or could they show respect for the laws, tactfully, as Romans 13 tells us to honour the laws...?

Currently, my church doesn't want to hire gays as custodians/janitors and pay health benefits to same-sex partners.  But one of our church founders Ellen White, whom we consider to be a prophet, wrote that Jesus healed a lot of people when He was on the earth and He didn't discriminate about who DESERVED to be healed!  He healed everyone who came to Him; and our modern-day health benefits only have to do with healing and health care.

The conservative Christians can have an influence in the world by being a good example and by teaching about God, where they have an appropriate opportunity to do so.  Even selling a non-themed cake [a plain cake or wedding cake] to a same-sex couple is not a sin, according to my understanding at this time.

My Second Pamphlet--continued

Have written an amendment for my second pamphlet.  I wanted to emphasize that we really need some compassion, for gays in different circumstances....  The Bible tells stories about the past, and about the future; and there may be a space in between that we need to consider....  Not for a change WITHIN the churches, but for the public outside of the churches....  [And even though we have our standards within the church, we still may need compassion for some of our own members, also--but not to let down our standards....]

NOTE, added on July 12, 2023:  The earliest date that I know of was 1290 AD, when the church in England was prosecuting homosexual behaviour with a death penalty.  In 1533, under King Henry VIII, the civil courts took over with similar laws--and they lasted until 1861, when the death penalty was replaced with imprisonment or hard labour for 10 years or more.  Sometimes males were prosecuted more than females; and countries under England were affected, as well as European countries and others....  The laws were de-criminalized at different times, some earlier and some later....

My Second Pamphlet

Have written a second pamphlet, especially for conservative Christians.  I made an effort to get their attention and speak their language.

For information on accessing the first pamphlet and the updates, people can go to a post on November 28, 2022, "Accessing My Pamphlet."

The Police and Alcohol

Have heard of a lot of police who use or abuse alcohol and I'm pretty sure they're trying to relieve their job stress...?  If I'm not mistaken, it seems police in the special police project in the past have identified themselves as alcoholics?  When my then husband-to-be joined the project, it's likely many police were able to relate to him somewhat because of his drinking problem--even though he was sober at the time.  Maybe they hoped and expected that he'd stay sober?  I assume he gave up on the police project a little while after I left him, and I heard something to that effect.  At least he helped for a time--for quite a while.  And I had his stories that encouraged me.

There's an old movie [was it Casablanca, 1942?] where they said, "A drunk is a citizen of the world."  A lot of people everywhere can relate to alcoholism in some way.

Alcoholism

When I first met him, my husband-to-be was sober and he had sober periods at times afterwards.  As a child, one of my best friends had a father who was a successful member of the Alcoholics Anonymous program; and in high school, we had many visiting speakers who were recovered alcoholics and drug addicts.  At the beginning, I had a lot of faith that recovery was possible for these people.

My previous post wasn't meant to be a detailed explanation of the issues, but only to cover some highlights and to make an outline....  My husband did the best he knew how, and he made improvements in his life over time.  Maybe I could've handled things differently, myself?  I don't know.  I had found the Al-Anon Family Groups program and maybe had too much, or a misguided faith in it...?  I thought if I did my part, my husband would choose to be sober.  But it doesn't always work that way.  

Anyway, we can't change the past.  What's done is done.  I know my former husband supported me over a long period of time with the police issues, even though I didn't know about it, at the time.  The police had actually contacted him and some of his associates at the Christian farm....  

My church doesn't approve of drinking and I don't drink, myself.  I'm sure many members wouldn't be happy to hear that I married an alcoholic...but circumstances can be complicated and I had my own problems....  For now, I wanted to address the story about the couples publicity....  My former husband and I HAVE supported the police, and it was good for us both in some ways except it has been sometimes stressful, also....  My husband passed away and the rest of us are carrying on....

A Couple Story, or not?

The man I married long ago had a colourful life.  He was adopted as a baby and spent time in a criminal motor cycle club when he grew older, and he was an alcoholic....  He got a little tired of his life and a friend directed him to a Christian farm in northern Ontario, where he was able to get a job.  Some nutritious vegan food was served and he felt well, and he had a religious conversion experience.  That was where I met him.  Later, he got a job as a youthworker in northern British Columbia and he taught practical skills and sports to the Native and white Canadian kids at a community centre.  Everyone liked him.  He also worked with police at this job because they needed to talk about some of the kids, at times.

My husband and I had gotten married while he was a youthworker.  Around this time, my husband made comments here and there, and told me some stories which turned out to be symbolic stories about the special police project to help with gay issues.  At the time, I myself knew nothing about the police project--and I suppose it wasn't the right time for me to know everything....

Although he made some good efforts, my husband wasn't completely able to get a handle on his drinking.  I loved him but wasn't willing to live with some problems that the drinking caused, so I left with our son.  We got divorced and he died not too long afterwards.  It was only later that I found out about the police project, I learned to understand my former husband's comments and stories and I appreciated them.  I also had a new respect for my former husband.

Looking back, I understand that some people self-medicate themselves with alcohol or drugs; and I believe that God doesn't always judge our outward circumstances--He knows our hearts.  I don't judge my late, ex-husband.

If the police project would like me to be paired with any man for publicity purposes--as I've heard hints about--I'd only like to be paired with the memory of my former husband, if they wouldn't mind.  Otherwise, I'd like to be represented by a lawyer, if one could be found who sympathizes with my life and views.

A New Post

Today, I've written a post in my Waterlily Story II blog about religion in my life.  People can look there, if they're interested.  I wrote the post especially for my past college contacts, and for what I call the prejudiced, Christian police....

Pictures Contribute to the Story

For any people who are working on understanding issues from my past life, I'd like to refer them to my second blog at Waterlily Story II.--See Links.--They can go to the Labels in the sidebar and there are three Labels with photos of me.  I hope these would help.  Of course, we try to put our best foot forward in photos but I believe the photos show that I'm not a bad person....  Have suffered from mental health problems at times but I've had good times, also....  They say, "A picture is a thousand words!"  For God's glory, I want to show that I've tried to be a positive person in my life, and my parents tried also....  We weren't perfect....  With the police business, I've had more stress but I've been learning that I have to cope and still be positive, as far as possible....  I used to complain more to the police but I tried to quit doing that....  God can help us to live our lives, and I've found encouragement from the Bible--especially in the last year or two.  

When I have a chance, I'll write a new post in my second blog about my Christian life--my current views....  Sometimes I think the "Jesus people" are being sentimental and that's not necessarily healthy....  It's good to think about God and Jesus, and to praise them, and some of us are coming from challenging places, in some ways....  But I have something to say. 

Understanding the Essence--Part 2

My main intention for writing about this subject matter is to hopefully help the church members and pastors who had actually gone to my college in England and heard a bad story about me from there.  They're the first group I'd like to focus on, right now.  We need to deal with this problem, air it out, and then let it go...!  I don't mind taking a little time, if necessary....  [Not to drag things on too long....]  THEN, we can look at the current issues, if people want to...!?

Have said there's some confusion in, or around, the special police project.  Some people may know of one or two lawyers who are involved, but they need to know there's at least one or two more....  People understand how lawyers work, if I may say.  But lawyers also follow instructions from their clients....  Under normal circumstances, I believe the different police agencies have some competition with each other--have seen it on many TV shows in the past.  But with the special project, there's even more competition, for different reasons....  The project is very broad and not everyone knows everything--and they don't need to.  If they did, they'd likely get sidetracked and things wouldn't get done as well.  Myself, I've been told a lot and I've also made my own efforts to find things out...I know this business is kind of hard to handle....  They're forcing me to take medication which is supposed to clear my thoughts, and it does help a certain amount [this matter hasn't been aired out yet but it will be one day]....  Anyway, it's supposed to be an undercover project and many civilians have been consulted about it....  People observing from the outside sometimes wonder what's going on...?  But a lot has been accomplished....  We're trying to tie up the loose ends and come to a conclusion, more or less....  And some firefighters have been involved, also....  

This past weekend, I really learned a lot at my church....  We'll probably sort things out gradually...but one thing at a time.  Other Christians have been involved, or observing, also, besides ones in my church....  People may feel they want to resist the "gay rights" and gay marriage, and that's okay for now....  I've been an active spokesperson, with my blog and other activities at church, and my credibility is in question--even my religion and spirituality are in question....  So, we can deal with my credibility...and I hope people will make an effort to understand, if they wish to be fair.

Understanding the Essence of the Issues...

This past weekend, my church had a special program for Ontario and we had visiting speakers from further away.  One man made indirect references to something that had happened to me when I went to college in England long ago.  We're also passing the 30th anniversary of the tragedy that happened at a cult in Waco, Texas, which had been reported in the news at the time.  The cult had no official connection to my church but it was some kind of a distorted off-shoot, and some members from the church had gone to Waco to join them....

Some of the "white" thinkers in my church have possibly been wondering what kind of a business I've been mixed up in with the police...?  And some of them went to the same college as me in England over the years, or had friends who did.

Have been learning that the local church pastor in England gave me a bad reference to the special, undercover police project after I asked him for help one time.  He was a very elderly gentleman.  What happened was that I was suffering from an eating disorder--anorexia nervosa--and my chaotic eating and fasting periods were interfering with my studies.  There wasn't as much known at that time about anorexia and I didn't know much, myself.  I'd been teased about my "weight" when I was 10-13 years old, even though my weight was pretty much normal.  There was a different reason why a few kids were upset with me and neither they nor I knew how to get to the root of the problem, at the time.  So, they said I was fat--repeatedly--and I came to believe them.

Don't recall exactly what I said, or wrote, to the pastor but I probably said something to the effect that I wanted to control my appetite...and I was a thin person, to all appearances.  The pastor responded to me directly and he was annoyed.  He answered somewhat roughly and said I should see a psychiatrist.  In one sense, he was correct...but from what I've been hearing from more than one individual, I believe this pastor thought I wanted to control my appetite for religious reasons...?  He thought I was some kind of a fanatic and what we call a legalistic person--someone who wants to earn their salvation by deeds that they do [they think they can].  I'm quite sure that's the story that was reported.  But my school friends wouldn't have said that about me.  And later, I got the proper therapy....

At this time, I'd like to ask my church friends and connections to make an effort to separate the past from the present....  In the past, there was confusion over what my problem was and what help I was seeking....

With the special police project, there HAS been some confusion but I'M not so confused and we're working on things....  There are 3-4 lawyers involved, that I know of, and they're not all coming from the same place.  And lawyers are lawyers!  That's one issue.  (And lawyers aren't all bad.)  At the beginning of the police project, some Christian police were very serious about wanting to find help for homosexual people.  And rather than helping, the Christian churches were part of the problem, at that time.  Many Christians have since helped the police, discreetly, but nothing has been made public so far....

Black-and-White Thinking

In the past, our society used to be black and white about gay issues....  In the special police project, I believe the black side has gone more towards the gray middle-ground.  But the white side has been stalling.  I thought we'd gone past them earlier, for the most part, but issues have been surfacing....  For the past six months or more, I've been dealing with them....  At least they're understanding my responses and aren't fighting the same things over and over.  

Will write more separately.

Charitable Donation

Sometimes when I feel stuck or frustrated with the special police project, I make a charitable donation on behalf of the project--it's in my own name but it's in addition to the personal donations that I make.  The donations are just token payments--they're not very large--but this week I made a donation which was larger than usual.  I gave money to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency/ADRA.  Have given money to them before, on behalf of the police project, and I've also given to the Scott Mission in Toronto on their behalf.  

Have read in a book about business earlier that sometimes it's good to give charitable donations from the business....  I know it helps me feel better and things usually continue to move along.  The donation is solid evidence that I believe in what I'm doing; and it's good to consider that other people, besides the ones in our cause, need assistance also.  

Discrimination and Harassment

Some online dictionaries say that "discrimination against" means to treat a person worse than you treat others, or to treat them according to what you think their group deserves--in a negative way--rather than according to their merit.  

When I was young, I was forced to go on social assistance and I felt very bad about it.  But I saw a sign somewhere that said everyone should be treated with human dignity and worth...and I appreciated it very much.  I was kind of surprised, actually.  And I believe it's true that everyone should be treated with a certain amount of dignity.  

People know what harassment and bullying mean.  Nobody wants to be treated in that way.  It's sad when it happens.

As for the LGBTQs, I'd like to see those Christians who've been somewhat isolated and prejudiced--maybe they were busy with work elsewhere and haven't been exposed to gays--to understand that it's not just about homosexuality versus no homosexuality.  It's about stopping the discrimination and harassment, as far as possible.  Christians are supposed to be kind and helpful, and I don't believe true Christians would want to interfere in this work.  I believe the special police project has been dealing with this kind of a business for some time...and some others are just catching up now.  I'm sorry if I wasn't able to help with some discussion earlier.  

Some Gays Have Been Combative, but can we get past defensiveness?

Some gays that I've heard of from more than one person, in both Canada and the United States, have been combative towards conservative Christians or towards my church and our church schools.  And some of the Christians are on the defensive.  That's an issue, in my opinion.  The Christians think it's a question of accepting homosexuality or holding a standard against it?  But the way I see it is our society needs--as they have been doing--to reduce the discrimination and harassment against LGBTQs, as well as against other marginalized groups.

What does discrimination and harassment mean?  Where do we draw the line?  It's been noted by politicians that there may be a conflict between religious rights and minority rights, in some cases.  Religious people would like to keep their religious rights.  But is it always necessary--not to say that religion isn't significant?  Is a Christian harmed in any way by baking a cake for a gay wedding...?

Do Christians think it's okay for gays to be treated badly, in general, in our society?  Or would they want to help see them treated with dignity and fairness like other people expect to be treated?  We're all human beings, after all.

Myself, I've expressed views in my "church pamphlet," which is posted in this blog.  [If you scroll down a little, you'll see a post.]  My church headquarters have joined the proposed Fairness For All Act to support it.  They don't want gays to be harassed or bullied, but they don't want to give employment at this time....

In the special police project, some parties have been allowed to have some unrealistic expectations, as far as I've seen.  But if we'd resolve the legitimate concerns, I think the frivolous ones would disappear--or they would soon be dealt with.

The police project has several lawyers helping them.  One of them has worked with me somewhat--even if at arm's length--on the gay issues.  Otherwise it would've been hard for me to work on everything by myself.

Was I Calling Anyone a Bigot?

Was I meaning to call anyone names in my previous post?  No, I just wanted to encourage people to think about what their views were, where they came from, and to consider if they needed to change...?  I also wanted to let any church friends know that there's a practical consideration regarding the church that needs attention, in my opinion.  

If church members are interested, they can look up the proposed "Fairness For All Act," which may not be quite so fair...?  A respectable lawyer in my church wrote an article against this Act a while ago and I posted a link in my Facebook earlier....  [Don't have it handy right now.]  My church and other parties were promoting this Act.  The main legislation, which has already been partially passed in Congress in the USA, is called the "Equality Act."  There are one or two minor issues which I disagree with but otherwise, I think it's good.  It's possible it could be passed at any time....  

Myself, I've had the opportunity to study gay issues for over 20 years, and it was because of the Landlord/Tenant case that I was brought into by a gay landlady....  That, and some issues with the police....  

What is a Bigot?

In my opinion, conservative Christians have a right to follow the Bible and to not condone homosexuality.  But in the western world within the past 50 years and more, Christians have gone beyond that.  The practise of homosexuality was seen as a crime and as a psychiatric illness.  More recently, there was the quotation that linked pedophilia, bestiality, polygamy, and homosexuality together.  Maybe some Christians still haven't processed their views?  And from what I've heard, some gays and politicians have made awkward and/or aggressive attempts to make their issues known to conservatives; and I've seen these Christians become MORE resistant to homosexuals and their rights--because they didn't understand?

Myself, I'd like to apologize on behalf of all the aggressive and sometimes misguided gays and their supporters.  Please forgive them.  And let's not fight, let's talk....

The book of Romans, chapter 1, in the Bible speaks of people who carelessly drifted away from God and got into sin....  But the second chapter is all about how Christians shouldn't judge others, and shouldn't be angry and hostile towards them!  We can set our boundaries; and I believe churches have the right to hire only members in good standing as pastors and teachers?  (Will try to confirm this.)

My dictionary says a bigot is:  "One blindly and obstinately devoted to a particular creed or party."  I believe we should make an effort to understand what our beliefs are about...!  Some prejudiced people aren't Christians, but do they want to be decent people?  A bigot is not a nice word in our society.  I believe we shouldn't put unreasonable pressures and demands on LGBTQ people....  [Currently, my church, and a few other parties with their concerns, is wanting to deny employment to gays in common labour positions because they say it interferes in their religion...they want to avoid the possibility of paying health benefits to families of married gays.]