Here, I have broken it up into paragraphs better so it can be more easily read. I probably put too much of it in.
Last Friday I posted something supportive of gays on facebook - it was as follows: Put this on your status if you know or love someone who is gay. My wish is that people will understand that being gay is NOT a disease nor a choice- people who are gay are not looking for a cure but ACCEPTANCE and EQUAL RIGHTS... 93% won't copy and paste this. Will you make it your ...status for at least one hour? Prom ... ote LOVE & Acceptance! NOT hate! God says we are all equal, and to love everyone !!"
Within 3 minutes my niece by marriage had posted the following: " I really don't understand how you can say that when you spent half your life studying the bible. I'm sorry but that's pretty sad..."
My response was: " Have you ever seen a little kid, I am talking toddler stage, who is male but very effeminate? I believe people like that are born that way and it is not up to us to judge them. I know that you don't disagree that we are to love all people. And if you disagree with something they are doing, it is that act you hate, not the person. Judge not lest you be judged."
At which she came back: "
Yes, I have had friends who I have worked with her were gay and I treated them with the utmost respect. I never preached to them or anything. However, I know you know what the bible says about it and I only take issue with the fact that now ... you openly deny what it says to be the truth of the matter. Being gay is a personal choice and Science has not been able to prove otherwise. They choose to be Gay, just like we choose to be straight. Saying otherwise is just them trying to justify their actions. I'm not judging, just stating the facts."
My response: " Well, Melissa, you can follow your conscience and I will follow mine. And we can agree to disagree. I do not believe for a minute that being gay is a personal choice, but there are many people born that way. Our bodies are not perfect. Have you ever heard of a hermaphrodite? They have organs of both sexes. I believe that gays are born with other aspects of the opposite sex rather than physical; probably more in the psyche/emotional range." Melissa: " Well, I just find it sad that you have turned so completely away from things that you spent your life believing. Anyone who has studied the bible for so long should not be able to deny the truths held in it but sadly, some people care more about the world's opinion than Gods. And by the way, these Hermaphrodite's have one DNA. Science has proven that Genetically they are always MALE but I'm not going to argue with you anymore because I can clearly see that you have let Satan completely blind you from the truth and that's just sad. The bible says that it's worse for a person who has known the truth and has turned away from it, just a thought for you to consider...: So now she has unfriended me - no loss there. But what was best of all is that there were several other people who weighed in on this and they all disagreed with her and stood up for me. I am not sure they all agreed with my position, but they sure did not like how Melissa was being - typical JW response, tho. Here is what one of my friends said: " Ginny, I'm sorry, I don't know who Melissa is to you, but she needs to get a life. Everybody has their own opinion, it doesn't mean it is right. The bible says, the bible says..... Melissa, you are the reason I'm not as religious anymore.... you have more hate, discrimination, and judgement in your heart than God does. God loves all! You can state your opinion, which we ALL see in its length, but it doesn't mean YOU are right either!" Any way, this is long and I hope someone will find it interesting. Just one more example of the sickness of that cult.