|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:35 am
Divash, you're a fantastic person, and what you wrote is something I believe everyone needs to hear. It made me cry. As one who absolutely can not stand Prejudice, I'm glad that there is a person like you out there. Thank you. Although, I'm straight I have several gay friends, and I know how hard it can be for them. I will keep in mind everything you have said and pass it on. Thank you again.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 11:39 am
*sniffle* Well, y'all are just making me feel very loved. But honestly, it's true: Everyone wants and needs family. For those who are so often rejected by their own families, they need it more than anyone else. They're not anti-family; their families are the ones who kick them out.
But truly, they give me a lot more than I give them. All I can offer is soup, advice, affection, and acceptance. They give me the chance to be a mother, to offer hachnasat orchim (hospitality to guests/strangers), and to have people compliment my cooking. I feel I'm so much richer because of "my kids." They make my soul swell within me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eloquent Conversationalist
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:10 pm
Aww! I want pretend child too, and for someone to compliment me from time to time. How selfish of me!
I should except people more often.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:14 pm
I think it gets easier to accept a person if you learn what their life is like. People often say ugly things about Jews because they don't know any Jews, or they've never learned anything about Judaism other than the garbage that's spread by people with a personal grudge against Jews or Judaism. Most of the time, meeting a good-hearted Jew who takes the time to explain even a little bit about our history or our practices, can make a difference in how they see us. It's just the same with a person who's never (knowingly) met a gay person or learned anything about what it's like to be gay. Once you know what a gay person has been through, it's so much harder to think, "They're evil, they're sinful, they made a choice because they're a pervert." It becomes much easier to think, "This person had a realization that they were different. It must have been very hard for them to realize, and even harder when they realiized they didn't want to lie about it, but wanted to be honest with their families, and harder stiill when their families repaid their honest and vulnerable trust by shutting them out of their lives."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eloquent Conversationalist
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:47 pm
Wow... Divash... It makes me feel so much better to know there is someone like you around...
About what you said... These are one of the times when the lack of words says it all! 3nodding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 12:57 pm
Thank you, Nathan. I just wish it were enough.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eloquent Conversationalist
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2007 8:03 pm
There is a passage (i apologize for forgetting which) that states that we should not oppress our neighbor that we should not hate the sinner but the sin. I agree with what Divash has said earlier on the subject. I would also like to admit that I am an active member in both the Jewish and gay communities, I for one love my "mate" because they are a good person, they could have a sex change for all I care and I will still be attracted and still love them. I believe that G-d will sort it out and will forgive in the end, we are given choices on HOW to live our lives it is a gift to choose to be yourself openly and without fear or not to. (i'm saying choosing to keep it secret and lie to yourself not that being gay is a choice)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 11:39 am
You'll be in my prayers, Paidkiller, along with your mate/partner/companion. You're right, Hashem will sort it out in the end -- but I don't believe you'll be forgiven. I believe that there is nothing that needs to be forgiven. Where is the sin in loving someone regardless of their gender? If you can love someone regardless of how pretty/handsome they are, regardless of how rich or poor they are, regardless of how scholarly or uneducated they are, then people say that your love is real and commendable. Why should gender be any different? You're loving the inner person, and not paying attention to temporal, merely physical details. I say, that is the essence of love, and there is nothing for Hashem or anyone else to need to forgive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eloquent Conversationalist
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:06 am
Kiashana Today, after Yizkor, my rabbi made a speech that was... well, controversial. Very controversial. Basically, he said that we as a congregation, a community, and a religious movement (Conservative) need to accept gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered people. Now personally, I don't have any problems with this: I've got good friends who are glbt. One of them is kinda using the other computer in my house right now xp But I was wondering what everyone else's opinion on this is? I know that halachically, homosexuality is banned. My dad was furious at the rabbi's comments; he's basically Orthodox but we don't live in walking distance of an Orthodox shul. Other people seemed less concerned. So let's hear it! Do you think that a commited homosexual couple should be permitted to join a synagogue as a 'family', paying the rate of a married couple? How far should Jews go with accepting homosexuality? What would you say if your rabbi was going to officiate at a gay ceremony? when i live it will never be exepted, i think it is wrong.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:33 am
Do you think that a commited homosexual couple should be permitted to join a synagogue as a 'family', paying the rate of a married couple?
Yes. I think they should, just because their 'legal' marital status (at least in the USA) is less than that of the heterosexual couple, doesn't mean that they cannot be a family in a religious setting. I don't see why they wouldn't pay more or less than the rate of a heterosexual couple, either.
How far should Jews go with accepting homosexuality?
As far as saying "You're gay? More power to yah! Wanna come eat Shabbos dinner with me?" We shouldn't treat homosexual/bisexual Jews any different than heterosexual Jews.
What would you say if your rabbi was going to officiate at a gay ceremony?
He already has. Most people said "Whatever, it's a marriage, it's a happy occasion!" but a few of the older people said that it was unholy and such. But Rabbi did it anyway.
But then, I'm bisexual, so my opinions are probably biased... I also agree with everything Divash said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:29 am
My opinion is this: G-d is supposed to love everyone, Gay, Straight, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, etc... I am a bi-sexual jew.... My mother is a religious jew...she accepts me for who I am...She loves gay people. I have an uncle who is gay..she loves him with all her heart.... And she loves me, no matter what I choose....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:16 am
AngelofDeath22787 My opinion is this: G-d is supposed to love everyone, Gay, Straight, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, etc... I am a bi-sexual jew.... My mother is a religious jew...she accepts me for who I am...She loves gay people. I have an uncle who is gay..she loves him with all her heart.... And she loves me, no matter what I choose.... That's awesome! biggrin
|
|
|
|
|
|
darkphoenix1247 Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eloquent Conversationalist
|
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:10 am
Yesterday I went to watch the Gay Pride parade in my town. It was fabulous in so many ways. I think the best part was seeing the various religious congregations who came to show support, either by marching or by standing to watch together as a unit. I'm proud to say that we did have one synagogue marching. The ONLY reason my synagogue didn't march is because of the one that did march, Ohr Chadash, the predominantly gay and gay-supportive synagogue. Since they bill themselves as purposefully gearing themselves towards the gay Jewish community, they asked that the other synagogues come to show support, but not march and take away from their stance. Basically, the same reason that the predominantly deaf synagogue asks other synagogues in the area not to provide sign language interpreters -- so that more of their target audience finds their way to the synagogue that's specifically geared towards them. So, my Orthodox synagogue did send a small contingent to clap and cheer and support the gay synagogue, despite the fact that we strive to be just as welcoming -- but to ALL Jews, and not only to the gay Jewish community.
I didn't go with my synagogue, though. I stood with my friends and my SO, talked to them, and was there as a family member instead of as a synagogue member. It was great to be there, and to see everyone, and to know that people who sometimes are nervous in their daily lives were feeling so confident and proud on that day. B'sa'ah tovah (in good time) may it happen every day, and not just on Pride Day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:17 pm
darkphoenix1247 AngelofDeath22787 My opinion is this: G-d is supposed to love everyone, Gay, Straight, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, etc... I am a bi-sexual jew.... My mother is a religious jew...she accepts me for who I am...She loves gay people. I have an uncle who is gay..she loves him with all her heart.... And she loves me, no matter what I choose.... That's awesome! biggrin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:45 pm
The other day in the paper I read that homosexual couples in a town near mine have won a small victory. You can now file yourself under a domestic partnership and be recognized by the state as a couple. It isn't exactly a marriage license, but it's still a step up, and I was very excited. I think since Arkansas is in the "south" we kind of get a bad rap like the rest of the southern states do, but I think Arkansas has gotten a lot more tolerant since the whole Little Rock Central incident.
I don't know if I already told you guys this, sorry if I'm repeating myself, but I was just happy about it. xp
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
![[The.Truth.Is.Out.There]'s avatar](https://a1cdn.gaiaonline.com/dress-up/avatar/ava/72/3c/1b08393b473c72_flip.png?t=1207419815_6.00_00)
