Rollingstone's "One Towns War on Gay Teens"

[PhoenixSun]

this makes me sick to the bone


http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/one-towns-war-on-gay-teens-20120202

[Blaker101]

Wow,
I started crying on page 2, and when I was finished my whole body froze up...
What has our world come to...

[Ethan]

I honestly can't read this. I know I should but I just can't bring myself to do it.

I'm not being delusional and thinking it's not happening or anything like that, I'm very well aware. I just refuse. It's so sad and I just wonder, what can I or anyone else or even entire peoples do?

[Jake]

And it's Michele Bachmann's home district. Surprise, surprise. No wonder her incompetent ass keeps getting re-elected with so many rabid evangelicals.

[Death Penalty]

Congratulations, OP. You have picked your audience exceptionally well. This is disgusting.

[Whiplash]

Absolutely disgusting. It makes me furious to see these people try and justify their hatred with religion, any religion. To try and claim homosexuality is 'caused' by 'family dysfunction and pornography' and that even tolerating it would somehow turn straight kids gay is even worse. Religion isn't supposed to be evidence-based but science is and to try and claim they have a rational basis for their prejudice is pathetic. Something seriously needs to be done about the culture of violent conservatism growing in parts of America, it's as bad as Afghanis and Pakistanis who think they can kill female family members for dishonouring them, or sell them into marriage.

John 8

1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.


And yes I'm aware of the irony of quoting a passage of non-judgement after judging these people, but I do it only because their actions/beliefs are clearly impinging on the well-being and fundamental rights of others to live peacefully.

[seaprion]

It's in moments like these when you desperately need your faith in humanity restored:

http://imgur.com/gallery/bVD9p

And it's so damn inspiring seeing people accepting the differences around them and not being dogmatic and stuck in their beliefs just because "the Texts say so". Speaking of which, I thought that generally Christianity held, and still holds, a negative attitude towards homosexuality. I'm not sure on that and haven't read the Bible or something but it's basically the feeling I've been getting from Christians, although judging by this diversity the experience alone might not be enough to say something like that.

[Reesie Cup!]

John 8

1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.


And yes I'm aware of the irony of quoting a passage of non-judgement after judging these people, but I do it only because their actions/beliefs are clearly impinging on the well-being and fundamental rights of others to live peacefully.

Ironic, but true. People like this seem to conveniently forget the "God loves all sinners" and "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone" passages.
They also seem to forget another important passage.

Leviticus 19:18
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

It's in moments like these when you desperately need your faith in humanity restored:

http://imgur.com/gallery/bVD9p



It's about time someone other than the crazies showed up! These are how people should act, not like those other guys.

[Mike]

...I never know how to feel after I read these. It's just so... Terrible. The fact that I went through a similar situation to some of those kids (minus the suicidal tendencies; it was never at this level, since thankfully NSW seems to actually be sane about it, but I did get a lot of it) probably makes it hit a lot harder, because things could've turned out differently.

How the hell can any of these people live with themselves?

[Agent Dunham]

It also offers a snapshot of America in economic crisis: In an area where just 20 percent of adults have college educations

Degrees are the devil's work.

[Oracle]

Everytime I read these I swell up with rage. I don't understand how anyone can do that to another human being, let alone a teenager or young adult who are going through enough struggles as it is.

Everyone deserves to be loved, except for these ultra-religious assholes.

[Chat Noir]

This is terrible. I'm.. I'm actually tearing up right now. That was just.. how do people like that live their everyday lives doing such things..?

This is heartbreaking. I experienced only a mild case similar to this, and I can't imagine how I'd live in a godforsaken place like that. A living hell.

[triAngle_wAlks]

This story is tragic beyond words. Was reading the comments on the Rollingstone article and came across this link - http://www.danoah.com/2011/11/im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html.

This article is probably the best most uplifting positive message I have ever seen that relates to gays/christians/religious groups/people and human beings in general. Tackles the entire issue no matter what side you belong to. THIS is what we can do to FIX things. We all need to stop being "better THAN you" and start being "better TO you."

When you're done reading the article watch this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=i3rGZ-8c_14. Shows some very powerful reader responses in reaction to the article. Really, READ THIS.... NOW!!

[PhoenixSun]

This story is tragic beyond words. Was reading the comments on the Rollingstone article and came across this link - http://www.danoah.com/2011/11/im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html.

This article is probably the best most uplifting positive message I have ever seen that relates to gays/christians/religious groups/people and human beings in general. Tackles the entire issue no matter what side you belong to. THIS is what we can do to FIX things. We all need to stop being "better THAN you" and start being "better TO you."

When you're done reading the article watch this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=i3rGZ-8c_14. Shows some very powerful reader responses in reaction to the article. Really, READ THIS.... NOW!!
I've read that. the man is right. that actually leaves me with some sort of hope.

I'm sorry everyone, but I had to post it. and this isn't the only place. This truly does leave me with anger and fear. When I read this, I died inside even more. I don't give a damn what it would take. I swear before I die, I will save as many of these kids as a can. No child, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, whatever deserves to suffer. It kills me to know that kids go through this in general and then feel like the only way to end the suffering is to take their lives. I

[Agent Dunham]

No child, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, whatever deserves to suffer.

What if they were a psychotic asshole and killed, like, 50 people?

[Ramenzilla]

I never understood why some groups of religious people take it upon themselves to pass judgment on others. Isn't that your holy God's job? Live your life and let the "sinners" get whatever judgment they get.

[Gladys Lois]

Absolutely disgusting. It makes me furious to see these people try and justify their hatred with religion, any religion. To try and claim homosexuality is 'caused' by 'family dysfunction and pornography' and that even tolerating it would somehow turn straight kids gay is even worse. Religion isn't supposed to be evidence-based but science is and to try and claim they have a rational basis for their prejudice is pathetic. Something seriously needs to be done about the culture of violent conservatism growing in parts of America, it's as bad as Afghanis and Pakistanis who think they can kill female family members for dishonouring them, or sell them into marriage.

John 8

1Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.


And yes I'm aware of the irony of quoting a passage of non-judgement after judging these people, but I do it only because their actions/beliefs are clearly impinging on the well-being and fundamental rights of others to live peacefully.


God doesn't want us to support homosexuality, for it is something detestable and God doesn't want us to condone an abomination of his law.

Leviticus 20:13 "'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

[PhoenixSun]

God doesn't want us to support homosexuality, for it is something detestable and God doesn't want us to condone an abomination of his law.

Leviticus 20:13 "'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
1 thing: several members on this forum are gay. Myself being one of them.

we will have to agree to disagree on certain things

You may not support the LGBT people but tell me you don't condone what was being done to those kids

[Whiplash]

Jesus was cool with not upholding the laws of Moses in the passage I quoted, pretty sure he didn't caveat that with 'except the ones about the gays, dudes'. Only New Testament reference you'll find to it is a single mention by Paul and that repressed bastard didn't want ANYONE to have sex.


I know, I know, don't feed the trolls.

[FlameTempest]

God doesn't want us to support homosexuality, for it is something detestable and God doesn't want us to condone an abomination of his law.

Leviticus 20:13 "'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.

Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Where the hell did that come from? Not from the real bible surely. And how the FK do YOU know what god thinks? Have you spoken to god about this directly? No I think not. "HIS law"? Don`t you mean the gay haters law? I`ve certainly lost my faith in humanity, I`m starting to hate religion now because of that article. Yes I know that not every religious person acts like that but the way I see it:
RELIGION IS A FORM OF CONTROL
Think about it, how many times in history have so called "witches", heretics, homosexuals, the mentally insane, etc etc been condemned to death just because they didn`t fit in with "religion". Hell, even just following a different religion could be blasphemous eg Catholics VS Protestants.
By having the support of the masses you could then literally brainwash em into a certain way of thinking, as long as its in gods name of course! And How many times have people been told that you`ll burn in hell or the devil will take your soul etc etc for "sinning" Honestly, it`s just a way of trying to keep people in check.

Many wars have also been started by religion. In the name of god. Like the "holy" crusade to capture Jerusalem being just one example.


"Open your eyes, people," Anderson recently wrote to the local newspaper. "What if a 15-year-old is seduced into homosexual behavior and then contracts AIDS?":nag:

WTF?! You can get HIV/AIDS if u have unprotected sex with a HETEROSEXUAL! In fact you can get it by using unclean needles, blood transfusions etc.

It`s all about control. These evangelists and right wingers. They want to be able to control what people believe in and to use it as a weapon against anything they deem a blasphemy upon their "religion". Nuff said. And yes, I was in tears when I read that article. So many emotions were raging inside of me. Sadness, rage, hate, confusion...:'(:nag::nag::blink: Sometimes I think humanity hasn`t made much progress at all. With so much hate in this world it is impossible for me to even believe in a god. I won`t say anything else on that though. :'(:'(