The Supreme Court's recent Masterpiece Cakeshop ruling brought cheers from religious freedom groups and groans from LGBT rights organizations. But in an unlikely turn of events, the majority of public attention following the decision was not concentrated on Washington D.C., where the court ruling was handed down, or on Colorado, where the baker originally took his stand against gay marriage.
Instead, of all places, the world turned its eyes to a small town in Eastern Tennessee.
There, on the door of a local hardware store, is a handwritten sign that reads "No Gays Allowed." After a photo of the sign was posted online, it quickly became the top trending topic on Twitter, and was seen by millions around the globe. The sign generated widespread outrage and was bemoaned as an indication that bigotry and intolerance are being normalized in America.
**Store Owner Remains Defiant
**
The store in question, Amyx Hardware, belongs to Grainger County resident Jeff Amyx. As it turns out, he initially posted the controversial sign back in 2015 after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Amyx, a devout Baptist, felt that gay and lesbian couples - whose very existence ran counter to his religious beliefs - needed to know where he stood:
Following backlash from the LGBT community, he temporarily posted a vague message that read "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who would violate our rights of freedom of speech & freedom of religion." However, the original sign never came down, and remains prominently displayed to this day.
Encouraged by the Court
Despite numerous court rulings expanding LGBT rights in recent years, Jeff Amyx has held onto his rigid views and remains undeterred as a quick visit to his Twitter page will tell you:
Homosexuality is a choice not something you're born with. For God didn't make sodomites man did.
Amyx Hardware TN (@TnAmyx) June 9, 2018
Although (in his mind) God has always been on his side, it was gratifying to get some affirmation from the nation's highest court. But in an interview with a local news outlet after the Masterpiece Ruling, Amyx acknowledged the fight won't be an easy one:
"Christianity is under attack," he said. "This is a great win, don't get me wrong, but this is not the end, this is just the beginning. Right now, we're seeing a ray of sunshine. This is 'happy days' for Christians all over America, but dark days will come."
Uncertainty Ahead
If Jeff Amyx's reaction is at all indicative of homophobes at large, we may see even more instances of discrimination in the near future. However, while the recent verdict may have given a boost to those who practice intolerance under the guise of religion, legally speaking not much has changed yet.
By issuing a narrow ruling, the Supreme Court sidestepped the central question of whether opponents of same-sex marriage (such as florists and photographers) should be allowed to refuse commercial wedding services to gay couples.
Given the contentious nature of this issue and the fact that similar cases are currently making their way through the court system it seems inevitable that the Court will be forced to confront the question eventually.
139 comments
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Keith Eash
I beg to differ. Refusing service is not necessarily discrimination. If you owned a restaurant in a very traditional Christian community and a gay male couple walked in holding hands and kissing you would have every right to refuse them service. What kind of message does it send to kids being raised in a religious atmosphere. It is the same as Nazis enterng a Jewish neighborhood restaurant. No difference.
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Laurie Cleveland
Hnow would you know? Does the average gay person come in with a sign on his or her backs?
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Laurie Cleveland
Boy, did a lot of people weigh in on this one! Yeshua had no problem with gays. Back in his day, if you were Jewish or whatever, you married someone of the opposite sex, yet, he had compassion and love for these people seeing them as part of the normal variation in human sexuality. There was no condemnation, yet here is a man, repeating the old Jim Crow laws because of his beliefs. If he truly believes this baloney, than all I can say is that he must have spent many Sundays sleeping in church, which, I admit is hard to do when you have a fire and brimstone, "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition " Southern Baptist Church.
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Tom B
Every court decision that supports segregation, discrimination, bias and the like is against the love and peace of God, who is concerned with souls/spirits, not their race, sex, or any other temporal aspect of people...Peace...Tom
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Richard Cornell
Got a lot of Gays in the town, do we? More like a stunt to be on the 6 o'clock news and be seen world wide.Does this sign applied to me who have siblings that are gay or relatives who are gay that I can not buy in his store. My uncle sister who has never been marry who is a little funny because of that would not be allowed to buy in his store because she just might be gay. 'Gee, Officer Krupke' from West Side Story made fun of a person family members because so odd they were. I'm sure that if you look deeper into this person one could find those that are odd in them self. As an American he has the given right to make himself look like a fool.
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John Owens
Agreed. A stunt to be on the news.
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serenity1976
Now that USA is officially a theocracy since SCOTUS ruling so on June 4, 2018:
As we are both ordained clergy, I humbly request that all heterosex-supremacist bigots please plant a big sloppy kiss on my husband's and my wedding rings!
Photo: 1977 ~ HusbandsTim&Earl at home in NYC Inspiring Musical Video: https://youtu.be/_fC8io4ajrU
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Nat Lomax
This morning it came to me to write a comment. For years, whenever I go to Oklahoma, I stop thy the Memorial dedicated to the men, women and children who lost their lives to the bomb of Timothy McFay. He felt he was on the side God and right to take lives because of what happened to the “God fearing men, women and children of Weico.” Although the memorial is powerful in itself, there is another memorial diagonally across the street erected by the church that was also damaged by the blast. The memorial is a simple statue of Jesus with his back turned to the memorial across the street, looking away with one hand covering his face. The phrase carved into the stone at His feet simply states, “and Jesus wept .” Every time I go to that memorial I feel overwhelmingly sad. It is the same sadness I feel reading this blog. I wonder, how many lives will be lost or destroyed as each side tears at the very soul of the other, each feeling their side is justified. I pray that both sides will find a way to trust in Jesus and not try to speak for Jesus. We all belong to Him. What we do to one of us, we do to all of us. I can’t help but think that Timothy came to that conclusion during his last days on earth. How many tears will Jesus have to weep for us because of our actions?
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John Robinson
If all of you were true Christians you would it is a sin to commit LGBT acts. It's not something you are born with, it is a social and environmental disorder. If God made us LGBT He would have made it possible to procreate with the same sex. If you don't know what you are get naked and look in a merrow.
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Rarity
I think their is a time when you have to say enough is enough would you want some over the gay profile to sexually assault a child in your business and go to jail for it,these things are happening at an erattic rate people are claiming to be gay as a way to do harm to others call how you want to .I'm tired of the bullshit about people claiming to be gay and terrorizing others hiding behind some oppressed groups so they can victimize others claiming to be a victim. I have seen over a thousand cases of this shit already and you sit their and say that's not Christian well the Jewish people say an eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth I do t believe you should put up with things you don't want to personally I think every thing should be legal that doesn't mean that I want it in my living room, and anyone who sexually assaulted a child should go to the head of the line for execution in my opinion.
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Michael
I do not even know where to begin. You are so ignorant and wrong. People do not claim to be gay to sexually assault children. The majority of your child sex offenders are straight. I do agree that anyone who sexually assaults a child should be executed, but to not put that on the gay community.
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RevTimHarrison
after reading this article, im deeply disturbed as a christian. i remember the what would Jesus do movement. and i think that this really applies here.
this business man calls himself a christian. however, his actions say otherwise. Jesus was known for eating with sinners of all sorts. he led by example. so what example does this man show? intolerance and bigotry!
i believe that if Jesus were on this earth today, he too would be troubled with this. each time He met with and individual, He treated everyone, no matter what condition they were in, He would first have compassion on them. does this business owner show compassion? no! then Jesus would forgive them! is this business owner show forgiveness? no! am i judging him? no! im only stating the facts as we know them. ill pray for this man, that God will not only open his eyes, but his heart as well!
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william n Hodges
When a man or a woman gets a license from the state to operate their business is does not say on the license they can offer their services in a discriminatory manner. In fact most states have anti discrimination laws. What if this was the only Pharmacy in a small town and they would not fill prescriptions for you name it, Gays, Christians, Buddhists and the list goes on. No you open a public business and you come to the public with an offering it should be to all as long as they come in an appropriate manner.
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Robert Messmer
There is a judge in New York who disagrees with you. His ruling was that it was perfectly legal to discriminate against a Trump supporter.
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The Doctor
You cant really call those that support Cadet Bone Spurs people though, they are more like souless zombies following a rotting shell of a necrophiliac...ehrm uhmm I mean necromancer yeah sure like dumpy Drumpf would ever be able to qualify as a wizard. Yeah Im going to stick with calling him a necrophile as I have no doubt he would love to sleep with his daughter while she lay helpless on a cold slab.
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
A speech by Vice-President Henry Wallace in 1944- Pay Attention and Let it sink in:
“The American fascists are most easily recognized by their deliberate perversion of truth and fact. Their newspapers and propaganda carefully cultivate every fissure of disunity… They claim to be super-patriots, but they would destroy every liberty guaranteed by the Constitution. They demand free enterprise, but are the spokesmen for monopoly and vested interest. Their final objective toward which all their deceit is directed is to capture political power so that, using the power of the state and the power of the market simultaneously, they may keep the common man in eternal subjection.”
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Robert Messmer
As a Democrat he gave a perfect description of the Democrat Party of today. Would that make him a whistle blower or a seer?
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Ron
While I do not understand people with this guys mentality, I remember not so many years ago there where signs in many businesses that read "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone" or similar words to that effect. When did proprietors lose this right?
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Rick Pascal
For once and for all, let's keep God out of this arena. God, for those of you who believe in Him/Her/It is on the sidelines watching how people can be xenophobic, homophobic, good, and just plain evil. As an atheist, I believe that individual people wrote the Bible to express their own opinions of how society should run. Some are good, some not. But let's stop putting the onus on God for our own prejudices. They're yours, not God's. Stop rationalizing and admit your own failings.
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
Agree Fredric!!! There are many fake, fearful christians and hypocrites here....they are hate filled sorry souls...Lordy, lordy help my soul, take me to heaven in a sugar bowl christians,
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don ricardo
The homosex stuff isn’t even in God’s Top Ten O’ Sins. Adultery and lying are, as well as 8 more, but not gays. So prople who cheat on their spouses and lie about it, as well as teenagers who have said to Mom or Dad, “I hate you. You never let me to do anything fun!” shouldn’t be allowed into his cheesy convenience store or whatever it is.
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Christian
Well, this goes to the RIGHTS of handicapped individuals.
Wheelchair users, blind people, and deaf people can not be banned from a store - unless entering a dangerous area would put their life at risk.
If you have handicapped customers, see if you can assign a store employee help them shop.
Not every building is wheelchair accessable. If your business location is unsafe for wheelchairs, explain that to the customer and then help them complete their purchases in a safe and friendly manner.
Always help your customers spend as much money as possible. It is good business!
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Bill Fox
Those gays who are offended should take their business elsewhere, and call the companies that do business with this store.
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Thom Ashton
Homophobes!? Why is it that when someone stands up for what they believe is right against the LBGT they are homophobes? But when something like LBGT speaks out about Amyx it’s not hate speech.
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Michael
Thom, as a gay man myself, I do not call them homophobes, I think they are just ignorant, unchristian people. Who we sleep with is no one else's business just like who you all sleep with is non of my business. I do not agree with anyone making out in public whether gay or straight, I do believe that people should be aloud to walk down the street holding the hand of the person they are with, whether it be man/woman, man/man, or woman/woman, without being judged. Especially since it is not our jobs to judge, that is up to God, who created all of us, and who knew what and who we would be, before we were even conceived.
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Jeff
This is not Christian. I am a Christian and I open my arms to sinners. And I do believe homosexuals are sinners. But Christ taught us to go out, teach and show sinners another way. Cutting sinners off from society is not how we show love and compassion. The other thing Christ taught us is not to judge a sinner because we are all sinners. We all are sinners, period. We should judge the sin and sin is bad. In the Old Testament, there are Ten Commandments, God does not say that one is more important than any other, in Gods eye lying is just as bad as murder. But then in the New Testament, Christ tells us there are two main commandments, Love the Lord your God with all your souls and with all your mind and with all your strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. It doesn't say love your heterosexual neighbor only.
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don ricardo
Yeah, and keep your shrimp-eating, cotton-and-lycra-wearing, anti-slavery-self the hell away from me!
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peter.Mwana-bute
What i can just add its that the God of love will never wish that children be separated from their parent which its false teaching.
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flugo
Must you be reminded . . . . these parents are committing a crime! Law breakers have consequences to suffer , sometimes it's their family that suffers. These parents are cruel, selfish, greedy, irresponsible people who are putting their children in jeopardy!
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don ricardo
Where does God say “Do not flee with your children from opression, bondage, and mortal danger”? Huh?
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Walt
You can do what you want , just don't force your GAY crap on me!
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Logical Person
As long as you don’t force your Christian crap on me (cough cough Crusades and the Inquisition cough cough)
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Robert Messmer
The Crusades were to defend Europe from the Muslim invasions, you know those who practice the "Religion of Peace". Part of their religion even today kills gays for the crime of being gay.
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Ben
Two wrongs don’t make it right!
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Robin
The true non-translated Hebrew bible says nothing about homosexuality . The translated King James version started the backlash of bigotry . The King James version , when a word could not be translated a word or words was chosen and placed in that verse . No human being has the right to look down upon anyone . That is God's place . Humans tend to be judge , jury and hangman when something is not as he believes . True Christians love the sinner but not the sin . Religious zealots however....they take a scripture and use it to justify their hate/bigotry for their own personal gain . God gave one major commandment...."Love one another". We were all made different for a reason . God was testing His children to see of they could be tolerent of the differences......some of you have failed miserably . I pray He has mercy for you .
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
Well stated Robin, but fear based christians don't get it and are brainwashed! Thanks for the lesson.
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JOLENE MARCELLA TRAVIS
What is wrong is that the Alphabet Soup community demands everyone bow down to them because THEY are different. Wrong is wrong and right and is right. Trying to convince me otherwise is NEVER going to happen. The Law of God is what is right.
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Michael
Gay people are not asking for others to bow down to them, we are just asking for equal rights, just like the blacks fought for equal rights, just like those who are in mixed marriages get equal rights. It is not up to you, me or anyone else to judge people, God will do that, for all of us on judgement day. I am a gay Christian, who knows God loves me for who I am, not for what you or anyone else think.
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don ricardo
As long as he doesn’t use public sidewalks, streets, electricity, etc., I’m fine with this geezer’s prejudicial policy.
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Michael
Jeff Amyx, being gay is not a choice. Who would choose a lifestyle that brings, discrimination by people like you, harassment, violence, bullying, and even murder. You talk to many gays and we knew at very young age that we were different. God created all people, He knew what we were going to be, before we were even conceived. How do you know who all is gay and who is not? Yes, some gay people are very obvious, but the majority are not, they are hard working, construction workers, doctors, lawyers, truck drivers, teachers, or any type of worker. Maybe I will bring a bus load of gays and straights to your hardware store for you to say who is who.
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Jim
Not welcome in their own town sounds familiar. It takes time for some to accept what change has to offer which is hard and a challenge for some. Love one another ,easy to say but we tend to put our own twist on things to suite ourselfs. Refusing customers, friendships and most judgements based on a couples choice to live is just wrong.
Take some time "think before we Act" make the most of life.
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CRAIG
Let economics rule the day: people who don't believe in his doctrines (since he brought religion into his business) should choose to shop elsewhere and let him deal with the consequences.
I'm tired of the topic, honestly.
It's a done deal: homosexuality is not going away (and just to add a revelation--it's been around a long time folks). The only difference is now as a civilization we have the ability to talk about it openly and have taken that next step (for many of us) that it's not an abomination. It's about two people caring for each other and it transcends the "normal" arrangement of a woman and a man.
Bottom line: who's job is it to judge? Not ours. We humans don't get to judge others. Judging is for the one entity who can see the big picture. I can't see it, you certainly can't see it, so quit judging others and live your life without telling people how sinful they are or bad or how ashamed they should feel.
It's not your right and certainly no one out there has the experience and the authority to supersede God's authority.
Just relax: have some ice cream, and put your energy and your time toward something to uplift people instead of trying to tear them down.
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Maashda
I’m with Craig! No one posting their personal rage is helping anyone. It is so sad that our society has yet to learn that hate-filled hearts & words only breed more hate. I don’t give a flip whom any of you love or sleep with if you simply care for others as you would like them to care for you. Positive Energy trumps bullshit all day every day ?
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Robin Call
When the law came out to pass same sex marriage, everyone in this country was told that they would not face a lawsuit or a courtroom, if they instituted their belief of refusing to do business based on their religious belief so based on that a Lot of individuals voted in favor of same sex marriage but look it all was a lie had a lot of individuals knew that the President and the government lied these individuals who voted in favor would have voted differently....LGBTQ knows this and they from what I remembered also agreed. They complained of being oppressed but now they are a.ledgedly doing the oppression....
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Richard
I've owned a number of various retail and service businesses over my lifetime. I always had a sign posted that read, "Mgmt reserves the right to refuse service to anyone." I didn't specify who I would refuse but if someone was particularly offensive in some way, I had the right to have them removed from the premises. Seems the only difference here is that these guys are being specific as to who they choose to serve. They believe it violates their religious beliefs. And they do have the right to freedom of religion. Frankly, I'm of the opinion that the '60s and '70s were a better time. We did pretty much what we wanted with whom we wanted and didn't try to push our beliefs down everyone else throat. A line from an old song comes to mind here: "he can't even run his own life, I'll be damned if he'll run mine." ("Sunshine" by Shirley Bassey)
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Robin Call
Store owners have the right to do and not to do business with whom they choose and everyone else has that same right. There are individuals on here judging this person for judging some one else...What irony...The Bible has many interpretations to many people and it is all different....Really unless you are God or whatever name you give him/her then no one is right or wrong in their belief just because it does not coincide with your belief.
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Fr. Omnius et Nihilius
I'm actually on his side as far as it's a private business and as long as he doesn't get any money from the government, he can say and believe and prohibit whomever he wants. As for him running around calling himself a Christian, whatever gets him off.
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Catherine B Owen
Really. Can he prohibit African Americans? Women? Jews? Where does it end?
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
This reminds me of signs I once saw when I was younger and visiting the Dakotas. It read, "No Indians and Dogs Allowed."
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John Owens
Those are qualified minorities. Not the same thing. Just pointing that out.
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Preacher Man
Ask yourself this; if you were gay and you saw a sign like that in a store window, would you honestly want to shop there?
The gay community brings a lot of this attitude upon themselves. Gay pride parades, etc. antagonize many people who would otherwise be apathetic. I enjoy sex without rubbing my preferences in everyone else's face. They should try it sometime.
There's a lot to be said for the old addage "Live like you want to live. Just keep those bedroom shades pulled, please."
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
What does this have to do with sex?? Members of the LGBTQ communithy LOVE others.This is about discrimination, bigotry and hypocrisy, and attempts to cover it up with twisted bible interpretations to suit one's fear of difference. Ignorance prevails. Jesus was probably gay. Gay pride marches are about solidarity and consciousness raising, not about bringing something bad upon themselves. WOW. "Bedroom shades"???? Get out of the bedroom, it's not about the bedroom. That is your issue. You can stay in your bedroom but do not assume that is what this issue is about or the central feature of their lives.
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Gary Minnis
It seems to be the 'central feature' of their lives. I don't walk around with other straight people carrying signs announcing I'm straight. Who they have sex with IS the differentiating part of the equation.
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
Jesus was probably gay....get over it and banish Satan from your life, he's got a hold on you.LOVE is LOVE.
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Tigerz
I want to be in the front row when COG meets her maker after she’s been calling Christ a fag. She is the abomination that tries to alter God’s natural laws.
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
Tigerz, you are so pathetic. Have fun with your fantasy. You have no proof that Jesus wasn't gay, now do you???? If you do have proof, please share it with all of us here. Thank you.
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Carol W Waldenburg
Everyone is slightly missing one of the major points here and that is that the Supreme Court was ruling on the fact that the high court in Colorado did not rule according to Colorado law. Intelligent people can differentiate this from the ruling being something that gives every bigot and Idiot permission to show themselves as such. God have mercy on ALL of us.
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Pastor Dave
what would be theresult if the shoe was on the other foot. I mean what if he was refused service in a gay establishment?
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power to the people
If you want to be gay, then be gay. Not my business. HOWEVER, please stop injecting it into every aspect of your life, and making sure everybody within your existence knows it because you have to tell them. EVERYBODY seems to want to be validated today, but does everybody have to tell everybody everything in their life?
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Gary Minnis
Amen to that. I have never understood why that needs to be at the forefront of conversation. I met some friends for lunch a couple of months ago at a restaurant. A lady that was there introduced her 'gay son'. Before I even knew his name I was told he was gay. WHO CARES!!!!!!
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Michael
Gary, although I am gay, I do agree with you. There is no need to advertise that one is gay. I am a man who prefers men, but I do not have to say that at the beginning of every conversation I have. I am also not in favor of the "Pride Parades", I feel they make the gay community look bad. I had a partner for 16 years and during that time a friend started dating a girl and he said she had no idea that we were gay, they lived right across the hall from us and just thought we were roommates. So not every gay person out there is obvious or has to make his sexuality known to the whole world. I am a human being, who works, and shops just like everyone else, I just prefer to do it with another man.
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Rev. John D. Partin
Michael, if that works for you and you don't need Gay Pride Parades for your self-affirmation, that is fantastic and more power to you!! Not all black people have taken part in Civil Rights' marches, either, though I'm sure that they are very glad that they have happened. There are those, however, who do need to tell the world that they are gay and need Gay Pride Parades in a world still filled with bigots, who say that nobody should be gay or have any pride about that at all or feel anything other than shame about it!!! Pride about being gay is necessary, the same as pride in being Irish in St. Patrick's Day Parades or pride in being Asian demonstrated by events for Asian people, and so on for every other group. No doubt, some people think that the St. Patrick's Day Parade makes Irish people look bad and so on for every other demonstration of pride by every other group, but these people don't care what other people think about all of that and go on with their demonstrations, anyway. It should be the same for gay people. If even the stupid Klansmen and Nazis can have their demonstrations and gatherings and not care what anyone says about them, why should gay people care about any other people's opinions of them, either? Gay Pride Parades help in getting the rest of our non-bigoted society members to accept homosexuality more and that is certainly needed today.
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Michael
John all I am saying is the barely clothed guys parading around, and all the drag queens, is not who the gay community is as a whole. Also there is a time and place for everything. I see nothing wrong with being proud of who you are. Why can't the parades be more simple, and less flamboyant. The way the gay life style is portrayed in most of the parades I have seen, is not the way 98% of the gay people I know and have known over the years act or portray them self. Just saying.
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Rev. John D. Partin
Michael, I agree with you that the barely clothed and flamboyant people and drag queens in Gay Pride Parades aren't representative of the vast majority of the gay community, and that these groups are overrepresented in the parades, but short of their having separate parades and not being included in parades where the majority of the gay community is represented, what can be done about it? They are overrepresented because majority types of gay people aren't coming out to be seen at these parades and overwhelming them, instead of being overwhelmed by them. Why are the Log Cabin Republicans and other more conservative and conventional gay people not coming out for these parades, instead of leaving them to the drag queens and flamboyant types, since they need to be accepted more by society, too, and be publicly proud of themselves? Also, since bigotry against gay people is still way over the top, perhaps these drag queens' and flamboyant persons' way over the top reactions and openness against that is necessary to contradict it and balance things out. For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. Drag queens and flamboyantly gay people need to be socially accepted and proud of themselves, too.
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Nick
The Gospel is preached in season and out of season. The words of St. Paul are clear! The Church loves the sinner!. But, hates the sin. God's love, mercy and forgiveness endure. With the instruction given by Jesus to the woman in sin. Sin no more!
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Tigerz
Every ‘Christian’ that supports homosexuality is in direct opposition to the Bible. ‘If a man lies with another man’, ‘SEND THEM TO ME’. You should know all those passages. There’s only one way to send them to God. Death. A ‘Christian’ supporting queer acts is NOT a Christian. They are a supporter of filth and perversion. Are they also going to support beastiality? Where’s the fine line when God has said NO! to both?
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Tara Coleman
You a poor excuse for a human being! What gives you the authority to judge another for the sexuality. If you decide to live your life in the homaphobic manner in which you clearly do, then the only "sinner" in this is yourself! How dare you compare same sex couples to "beastiality" neither you nor "your god" will prevent equality. Your pathetic and ignorant and should crawl back under the rock from which you appeared .
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Catherine B Owen
I'm with you, Tara!
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
I agree with you Tara! disgusting.
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JOLENE MARCELLA TRAVIS
Burn in Hell Witch.
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Michael
I will pray for you Jolene, wishing someone to burn in hell, is not Christian at all. Gay people were created by God, he knew who and what we would be, long before we were born. Do you really think someone would choose to be gay, so they can be bullied, harassed, discriminated against by people like you. I don't think so. Most gay people knew at a very young age that they were gay, it is not like we woke up one morning and decided, I think I will be gay. When did you decide to be straight or whatever it is you are?
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
Oh, what a fine devout christian you are Jolene, miss potty mouth! You can go there yourself with no difficulty.
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Carl Elfstrom
Witches don't believe inHell, only Christians do.
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Lori
Wow! How non-christian of you. The energies are stirring and the karmic hexes are flying in your direction. Blessed be!
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JOLENE MARCELLA TRAVIS
Tara, wtf kind of MINISTER are you????? Spy for Satan maybe......
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Walt
Go Jolene Go!!!
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
Potty mouth alert, fake christian!
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flugo
Tara, you're full of crap. You asked about Tigerz's 'authority' . . . . . well, it's based upon God's Word. The God of the universe calls homosexuality an abomination! If you're fool enough to oppose the Bible and it's teachings, you're the ignorant one, not Teiersz.
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
Potty mouth bob, Jesus was gay, why else would he surround himself with a bunch of men and run around the desert and countryside with them??? Well look at the Last Supper....all guys surrounding him....he was a Gay Blade! Oh and do you follow all of God's commands?? Do you perform sacrifices or eat shellfish or pork???Do you perform sacrifices in your church..if not then you are breaking God's commands. If you are truly christian, you don't pick and chose what you follow and what you honor of God's commands. Jesus never spoke of homosexuality, because he did not disapprove of part of his father's Creation. He disproved hate.
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Ellie
AMEN Tara! God is LOVE, no disclaimer. LOVE they neighbor, there is way too much hatred in the world. Stop the Hate.
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
Well said Ellie, LOVE is the answer, just like Jesus preached, Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself.
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Reverand Raymond Smith
Well said, Tara! Bravo
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Christian american
Technically what give this person the right is the bible. We are not to be luke warm with our beliefs. We need to be on fire for GOD and his teachings. It doesnt matter how it makes ppl feel because in the end its u and GOD on judgment day. Amen to u for having the kahoonas to stand up and say this. This country needs to worry less about feeling and more about purity and living right.
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
It is one passage in a mythological collection of stories. Do you perform human sacrifices as commanded by your deity in your story book? If not, why not? Do you pick and choose what you want to quote as "fact"? By the way, there are lots of Christians who are memers of the LGBTQ community, just in case you did not know that. Didn't your Jesus say, "Love they neighbor as thyself"???? Why are you stuck in the Jewish bible?
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Michael
Catherine, you are so right. We should not be eating pork or shell fish, and should only be wearing certain fabrics. I am a gay Christian, who knows God loves and accepts me as one of his children.
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flugo
Michael, God loves you, BUT does NOT accept your homosexual practice or lifestyle. Do NOT be deluded. He wants to deliver you from this detestable, unnatural practice.
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Michael
Bob, I know God loves me just the way I am, after all he created me, plus I did not know you were in direct contact with God. Good for you, that he has made you the judge, jury and sentencer of what his people do. I wonder why so many people really protest the gay lifestyle? Are they hiding something in their own life, that they are afraid to admit so they bash other people for the same thing.
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
bob, we were informed in Genesis, that we are created in the likeness and image of God....so how can you say he doesn't accept all of HIS Creation? God will punish you for twisting his words. Heaven help you and those like you. You have been brainwashed by your Satan. We will send LOVING thoughts your way so you can see more clearly and banish Satan from your life and your brain...he's got a hold on you.
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
It is wonderful Michael, that you are spirit filled with Love. Ignore these pathetic, hypocritical christians who are hate-filled sorry lost souls. Boy are they in for a rude awakening by their lord and savior Jesus...if he was here he would pick up and whip and beat the tar out of them for their nasty and unchristian like ways!
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Rev. John D. Partin
Tigerz, so you think that it is Christian to kill gay people and send them to God? What a very sick person you are!!! That kind of "thinking" is what motivates gay bashers to attack gay people and go as far as they can toward following your advice, without being brought up on a murder charge!!!! The homophobic verses in the Bible are bound to produce "thinking" and actions such as you recommend or going in that direction, the same as anti-Semitism in Mein Kampf and other writings can't remain only just words, for very long, but have to be translated into action, eventually!!! God didn't give any of those teachings in the Bible, but they were put into His mouth by bigots, such as yourself, thousands of years ago, to make Him "agree" with them and "sanctify" their bigotry, in order to impose that upon other people!!! God doesn't hate gay people or disapprove of homosexuality because He, obviously, made gay people gay and wouldn't have made them gay if He disapproved of homosexuality. Nobody would choose to be gay in this homophobic society, anymore than a Jew would choose to be Jewish in Nazi Germany. So, it has to be natural and genetic in people. Animals don't commit any sins and they indulge in homosexuality and so it can't possibly be a sin. Bigotry is filth and perversion and in the same category as bestiality, since it makes bigots bestial in their "thinking" and actions, as demonstrated by the Nazis and gay bashers!!! Let's be against that sin of bigotry, not something that only bigots call a "sin": homosexuality!!!
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
I am always suspicious about men who are so threatened by gay men and lesbians...why are they so fearful? Are they hiding something?
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John Owens
Good question.... Do you suppose that women who are so threatened by really overly-macho, sexist men are hiding something?...hmmm....I wonder...
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John Owens
He's getting a lot of free publicity out of this, even though most of it is bad.
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Robert Messmer
What is missing from the story is the actual numbers of queers in that small town in Eastern Tennessee. I would bet probably not very many. And before any one starts accusing me of being anti-queer, let me point out that is the way they identify. Remember all the parades with the chants "We're queer and we're here"? How about the cable program "Queer Eye for a Straight Guy"?
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Frank Villari
“NO GAYS ALLOWED”
There comes a point when one has to say, "Me thinks thou protesteth too much!" In other words, what are you, yourself, hiding that you must balk so loudly or judge others so harshly? And the mere fact that your Christian hypocrisy would deign to judge others is, in itself, telling of what kind of faux Christian you truly are. Contrary to the teachings of scripture, Christians judge their fellows constantly; the answer as to "why" might be found in those clergy who guide them. For clergy to advise parishioners to "do as I say, not as I do," is obvious hypocrisy; if the tree is rotten, we can expect no less of the fruit it bears. So it is with all who judge.
To read more of my opinion concerning bigotry, please refer to the attached link to my blog, “The Path”:
http://congregationforreligioustolerance.blogspot.com/2018/06/no-gays-allowed.html
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John A Anderson, CD, CIF Mons ON
And, how is he going to tell them from his other customers, unless they openly advertise it? If some person walks in by themselves, are they gay, straight, Christian, Heathen? Without them stating as much, or otherwise making it obvious, there's no way to tell.
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Carl Elfstrom
Jeff Amyx sounds like he could use a good sodomizing. She's probably a closet queen anyway.
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Frank Villari
Missing the point entirely. Nothing he sells has any bearing on his religious beliefs when selling to gays. If you're doing business with the public it means ALL of the public. The bakers even stated he had no issues making any other cake for the gay couple, just not a wedding cake since that would violate his religious belief. This idiot, however, is simply a bigot and does not represent Christianity. With Christianity under attack from all corners, he does not help the cause in the least.
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CRAIG
Amen. A business is public and if you're catering to the public. It's just trying to bring religion into the market which doesn't need to be there.
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Walt
Leave the man alone, who are you to say who he can sell to.
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Steve H in NV
Society dictates who he can and cannot sell to. He has a business license. He has agreed to follow the business laws. Government has the right to regulate commerce and business practices to ensure public safety, employee safety, and fair-trade to all customers. Just like how our federal government bans the sale of certain products (or all trade) with enemy nations, so you can't sell computer equipment to North Korea, etc. Trade rules are not determined by individual business owners. Our economy would be crap if everyone followed their own rules. It would be economic anarchy.
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Dave
No. A privately owned business is not a public accommodation. The bill of rights says that we have the right to life, liberty, and so forth. It does not say that we have the right to go into a private business, demanding that the owner of the business does not have the right to his liberty. If he wants to limit his earnings potential, that is his choice.
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JOLENE MARCELLA TRAVIS
B.S. A business has the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason. All the owner has to do is place a sign stating that in his window. It's HIS business and he can run it any way he wishes.
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Penny Matheson
In spite of his beliefs, whether he is homophobic, a Christian, or whatever, he has the right to refuse to serve whomever he likes. Private business owners, restaurants, all have that right. It is a shame that we have not become a more tolerant society but it is what it is.
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Michael
Homophobia does not exist. Are people afraid of homosexuals or do they not agree with there life style? People are afraid of spiders, snakes, heights, etc....
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Walt
Can I get a big Amen!!! Give Jolene a medal
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Catherine Ohrin-Greipp, MSW, ADS, OM
Yeah, a medal for being a fake Christian with a filthy mouth.
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Scot
That is not correct. Anti-discrimination laws prevent businesses from discriminating against protected classes (race, gender, disability. national origin and religion). At the national level, sexual orientation isn't a protected class. It is in certain states and municipalities.
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Grammar school
What would Lot say?
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The Doctor
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Id say its paved with blatantly negative ones if this so called christian is anything to go by.
To those that call themselves christian and are serious in their devotion, you need to start policing your own, It only takes one bad apple to spoil the barrel is another saying, one that is very accurate, and this man is a bad apple that could easily help spread a rot to your faith that turns acceptance and understanding into intolerance and animosity.
It shouldnt be LGBTQ advocates leading the fight against this, it should be straight devout christians that refuse to allow someone to take their lords name and use it for vile means.
Baptists do bow to vatican law. Id imagine if this man found himself cast out of the church he might understand god is not on his side.
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Tom
At least he owned and advertised his bigotry and predjudice. Let the public decide if they wish to do business with him. A lot of people, even straight ones, I am sure will opt not to enter his place of business. The free market will win.
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Catherine B Owen
I hope this one starts winding its way through the courts soon.
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Walt
He will do just fine, there's more straight than gays.. .
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Steve H in NV
Walt, why do you assume that all straight people are fine with a bigoted business? I wouldn't do business with anyone who blatantly discriminates against people, regardless if it affects me directly.
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don ricardo
more Nazis than Jews, too.
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Professor
Jeff does not represent Christ in the slightest. This kind of intolerant attitude is why Christians are hated around the world. The Devil is the great counterfeiter and likewise so are his son's. They will present themselves as a Holy and Righteous people and even show examples of their love but you will know the truth by their fruit.
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David
When Christ spoke to the Harlot, he told her to " go, and sin no more".
Homosexuality is not "normal". In some humans, it may be a result of a physiological imbalance. It is still a choice, just as alcoholism is a choice. If we are talking Christianity, ( not religion) there can only be one result. Go and sin no more.
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don ricardo
Do you get to pick what sins it’s okay to commit, or do you abstain from every one mentioned by an anonymous author in some old mis-translated book?
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Keith Eash
I really think You're talking and no one is listening. The Bible has been translated and every translation has been compared to existing copies with long historical records. No translation is untranslated I can assure you. And most of the books in the Bible were not anonymous . If the authors were questionable the books would not have been placed in the Bible in the first place.
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Tom B
Respectfully...why are so many people afraid of accepting gay/lesbian people as just people?...Peace...Tom B
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Michael
Davis, People who are gay, ARE born gay. Who would choose a lifestyle that is discriminated against from people like you. To be cursed at, abused, and even killed? We are all created by God, and He knew before we were conceived who and what we would be. He loves all His children, it is a shame that you and the others do not. We will pray for you.
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John Owens
No conclusive scientific evidence at all that people are born gay, therefore to state it as fact is ill-informed and misleading at best.
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I.M. Detnaw
All religions are a choice! #Whosezoominwho
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Joni
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation-gender/sexual-orientation/what-causes-sexual-orientation
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James
No evidence? Or sicentific evidence?. cherry picking data that falls short of government chosen laws to weed out "non-scientific" paths is a joke. Only a drug can prevent or cure mentality is no "scientific path".... https://qz.com/1230638/omnisexual-gynosexual-demisexual-whats-behind-the-surge-in-sexual-identities/
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James
Born gay? There are copious reasons that create gender discrepancies. One of the many being, Intestinal ( (the 2nd brain) parasites / microbial imbalances / LGS / LBS, etc can have a bearing on gender (Omnisexual, gynosexual, demisexual) identity.
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Keith Eash
Michael, you have no concept of what you are talking about. No theological understanding or training for that matter that supports your position. God created everything to be good. Marriage is a union between male and female to procreate. Homosexuality is an aberration of that created order. There is no procreation. The sexual act is nothing more then two people of the same sex getting their lusts fulfilled. It is lust because it leaves out the purpose God intended. It denies God. Therefore, God doesn't make people gay. They choose to be or possibly a chemical imbalance. I would recommend a good catechism and study it.
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Tom B
Michael...you are right...it is strange that there are people who think of God as fallible, and making mistakes in his creations...it is simply another ego-position...Peace...Tom B
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Ruth
The owner has a right to refuse service to whomever he wants. It’s his business period!!
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Rev. John D. Partin
Ruth, if we were talking about his discriminating against black people or Jews or Hispanic people or Asians or Catholics or members of any other religious or ethnic or social group of people and keeping them from coming into his store, we wouldn't be talking at all because everyone (with a conscience and a good sense of morality and right and wrong) would be outraged by and protesting against his discriminating against those people and his store would be forced out of business!! Black people, you remember, used to be discriminated against, too, from coming into stores (and were followed around the stores, when they did get in, so that they "wouldn't steal anything") or from eating in the 'whites only' section of restaurants or from using 'whites only' bathrooms or from drinking from 'whites only' water fountains. It was despicable and disgusting when it was done to them and it isn't any less despicable and disgusting when it is done to gay people!!! You wouldn't want to be discriminated against, as he is doing to gay people, and not allowed to come into a store or anywhere else because of someone's bigotry and hatred against you and so "doing unto others as you would have them do unto you" (the Golden Rule) demands that you not do so or approve of that being done to other people just because you don't care about or like them---and so, "it is okay for them". Wrong!! If he doesn't want to serve the public (and that means all of the public, with the minimum restriction of "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service"), then he has no business being in business and should just go and work for somebody else or retire!! Any gay people who meet that requirement of having shirts and pants and shoes on should be given service---PERIOD!!!
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Dan
I wonder what reaction Ruth would have if she went to her local grocery and was met with a sign banning all shoppers named "Ruth"? Simplistic yes, but it shows how ridiculous this banning could reach.
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Reverend Andrew
I have to ask ? Would you say that same statement "The owner has a right to refuse service to whomever he wants. It’s his business period!!" if he put up a sign that read No Blacks allowed or no Women allowed of for that matter No Jews allowed?
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Tom B
Andrew...agreed...to go further, if he is protected by public police, sanitation, fire departments, etc, he has no legal right to bar any member of the taxpaying public that provides those services to him...it should not get to that, but that is what the courts will hold...Peace... Tom B
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Lori
I live in East Tennessee. I am not gay, but I will never enter his store. As it has been said, we are all children of God.
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Alicia
If God is all knowing and divine, would God be able to make a mistake? The family we’re born into, the time and place of our birth, social and cultural influences , gender and sexuality are ALL a part of the divine plan. The key to peace is to appreciate our differences (without which life would be boring) while acknowledging we’re all a part of the One. Tricky! But doesn’t this paradox make life a more fascinating opportunity to evolve?
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James
What is "Normal"? Thou shall not defyth they temple. As many carry cell phones microwaving their bodies w/ unhealthy energies that go above 60hz. It's normal to carry portable devices becasue the masses do it? It's "NORMAL". Is "sin no more" same as "sin no less". Is etymology all messed up? Or is our egos in the way? Read the book "Standing in your own way (the "I" book)".
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Amie Zischke
It is not a choice. I was attracted to girls very young, when most of the other girls were attracted to boys. I didn't know why I was different way back then, I just was. It was not a choice I made. It is ignorant and arrogant to call it a choice. Some may make the choice to go against their natural attractions and be with the opposite sex even though they aren't attracted to them, but following your natural attraction is very natural and healthy. Being gay is not a choice, yes we are both this way
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Dan
This discussion brings up a question in my mind. How does Jeff identify "gays"? Does he have a "Gayometer" at the door? Having numerous gay friends, I would find it nearly impossible to know if they were gay or straight. What kind of legal ramifications does he face if he denies service to a straight person he mis-identifies? Interesting.
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It's a known fact that HIV and Aids run rampart in the LGTBQ community. How is it that many fail to see that this lifestyle destroys lives and communities. The spread of these deadly diseases comes from not being in order with the life that God has constructed to be in order.Being born male or female is the first order to live as such. Many are being misdirected due to their own personal desires which either causes a attraction outside the order that God has made you to be.