The following guest sermon was submitted by ULC Minister Lorraine Fisher. All ULC Ministers are invited to contribute their own sermons for consideration/publication. To submit a sermon, please email it to sermons@ulc.org.
The tragic death of 16-year-old nonbinary high school student Nex Benedict has let to some difficult conversations – and alarming revelations – in my home state of Oklahoma.
Nex identified as nonbinary, and recently died following an altercation with other students in the Owasso High School bathroom. Details are still coming out regarding the case, and their cause of death has yet to be released by county officials.
It is deeply troubling to see members of a marginalized group targeted with violence, and the tragedy of a human life being lost makes my soul hurt.
Nex not only had to face the anxieties and difficulties of growing up as gender-nonconforming, they also had to do so in a state that has frequently criticized the very existence of LGBTQ+ people. That's not a struggle I'd wish on anyone.
It's also why the reactions to this story from Oklahoma leaders like State Senator Tom Woods have me feeling so disturbed.
I want to highlight a response he gave, because I think it's a perfect illustration of an insidious force at work in Oklahoma (and around the country): the forced injection of a certain kind of Christianity into public life.
Christian Supremacy in Oklahoma?
At a legislative forum, a constituent asked State Sen. Woods if he believed that the numerous anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed by the Oklahoma legislature (and supported by Woods) could have contributed in some way to the assault on Nex.
Woods gave a shocking response.
He said: “I represent a constituency that doesn’t want that filth in Oklahoma. You know we are a religious state. We are going to fight and keep that filth out of the state of Oklahoma because we’re a Christian state.”
If you don't believe me, audio of this interaction has been posted online:
Freedom, Not Faith, Comes First
I myself am a Christian. I go to church every Sunday. But Oklahoma is not a Christian state. No state is; that's not how our system works.
Conflating religious beliefs with state identity and the operations of its government runs counter to the principles of religious freedom and inclusivity upon which this country was founded.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution explicitly prohibits the establishment of a state religion and protects the rights of individuals to practice their faith freely, or to choose not to adhere to any religion at all.
The notion of a "Christian state" carries historical baggage that cannot be overlooked. Throughout history, the intertwining of religion and state power has often resulted in oppression, persecution, and violence against religious and sexual minorities.
By explicitly endorsing a specific religion in Oklahoma, State Sen. Woods is advocating for a system that privileges members of that religion above all others.
Here's what I believe:
Weaponizing the Bible to call the LGBTQ community "filth" helps no one. As Christians, we cannot handwave away violent attacks on the LGBTQ community, even if we do not agree with that lifestyle.
When people assert that Oklahoma – or any other state – is inherently Christian, they marginalize and alienate non-Christians.
Like many others, I worry about declining church attendance numbers, and I hope to see more believers welcomed into the fold in my lifetime.
But, no, Oklahoma is not a Christian state. And that is part of what makes America so beautiful.
118 comments
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John W
Well written commentary. All too often some religious and political persons tend to confuse their personal beliefs and use them as a biblical cudgel to try and enforce them upon others.
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David George Promis
Thank you for a precise and intelligent response.
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Echo
My heart goes out to the families that suffer liss like this due to hate and bigotry hidden behind a group of religious individuals.
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ServantOfJudgement
The sheriff that handled the case said the boy attacked the girls in the girls bathroom he was using. The girls that got attacked by the bot fought back and won the fight.
For unrelated and unknown reasons the boy went to the hospital the next day. For unknown and unrelated reasons the boy later died.
Stop hating straight girls who got punched in the face by a boy using the girls bathroom.
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Rev. Michael Gerraghty II
nex was NOT A BOY Nex was biologically female but didn't identify with it hence "non binary".
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James Richard Munro
Says he went to the hospital the next day and died of unrelated causes. What unrelated cause? What was he doing in the girl's bathroom in the first place? He doesn't belong there in the first place. Seems like you are jumping to conclusions without all the facts. Pastor Jim M
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Rev. Michael Gerraghty II
There is a story that Owasso police said in a statement last week that “preliminary information” from the medical examiner’s office indicated that Benedict “did not die as a result of trauma.” The police department added that further comments on Benedict’s cause of death were pending until toxicology results are released.
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Rev. Klaire ThD, MA
Your comment is a great example of the legitimate, physical harm that can be done to other humans by a lack of serious education and an attitude of self-inflicted ignorance.
BTW, who is "the boy"?
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James Richard Munro
Comment removed by user.
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Eugene T Rice
Perhaps, when describing Oklahoma as a Christian state, he meant that Oklahoma welcomes all people as children of God. If that is true has Mr. Woods, a sniveling bigot, painted himself into a corner?
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David George Promis
The Universal Life Church embraces all individuals, so will the people posting judgements on others please revisit the site you are posting on to understand this concept. Thanks 😊
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Rev. Mike Eggleston
The ULC does not enbrace hatred and bigotry though.
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Tareq Asfour
America is turning into the worst nightmare for everybody
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Nicholas J Page
I have to agree there's so much hatred going on across the pond against the gay community etc it makes me Sick this is not about the bible and loving one and other.O have 2 gay ladies living in the flat above me My wife and I treat them no different to straight people.We don't have this much hatred here in England.
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Danny D. Maynard
That would be a tragedy for all too!
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
No xtian States and no xtian country. Wasn’t designed that way.
“The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus by the Supreme Being in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter. ... But we may hope that the dawn of reason and freedom of thought in these United States will do away with all this artificial scaffolding.” Thomas Jefferson
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Angelic Realms
I don't understand why any type of bullying is ignored. Why is this student more "valuable" than others? Why isn't school a place of earning and not a social experiment?
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Paul Mills
I can't follow this comment at all, it makes no sense
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Joe Stutler
Um, wut?
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Amber Fry
Because some people are truly hateful, others are truly cowardly, and many others fall between somewhere. You will find different mixes in different areas and some are lucky enough to have enough people raised to stick up for those being bullied while other areas don't. I really would like to think the people in the states were better than that at some point but it seems any time in history here there has been some type of bullying or another. It's what comes of allowing the '-isms" run wild without a strong check on the actions and how to treat people. Too many people use their religion as a sword and shield instead of the personal guidelines of living their own lives as was intended with most of them. Feel and believe what you wish but hands off others. Live the way you think is right but give others the room to do the same, even if you disagree or dislike those other ways. The only acception is if someone is getting hurt by those practices.
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James Riggle-Johnson
It is unbelievable that Sen. Woods said in one breath, my heart goes out to that scenario, and he doesn’t want that filth. I can feel the love in his heart.
Why is everyone so afraid of the LGBTQ community? Trans is the new scare tactic conservative politicians use to get votes. Just like their Orange Jesus, they stoke fear and hatred.
Nobody is trying to indoctrinate anyone. You cannot turn someone Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, or Trans, you are born that way. God made you that way, and only man would judge which of God’s creations are not worth of respect or love.
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Nancy Louise Havlovick
Thanks for reminding people that God loves everyone. Jesus walked this earth loving everyone he met. He didn't kill people into submission. Gender is biological, created in our dna.
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Robert Edward Szekely
No, LGBT+ people aren't filth. But the politician who made the claim is a pervert: in that he's perverted the teachings of the religion he purports to practice. Jesus did not teach hate, persecution, and the use of pejoratives against minority groups. Senator Woods may claim to be Christian, but I doubt that Christ would acknowledge Senator Woods, with the latter practicing this kind of hatred towards his fellow human beings in Jesus' name. What Tom Woods says (in implying that what he's doing is in the name of Christianity) and what Tom Woods does (in dehumanizing those whose gender identity lies outside expected cultural norms) do not at all align. I hope he looks forward to enjoying an eternity in Hell.
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Val Jester
Of course they are not filth. That’s ignorant. Trans people are mentally people who need love, encouragement towards normalcy and reparative therapy and counseling.
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John Condron
So-called “reparative therapy,” more commonly called “conversion therapy,” is a range of dangerous and discredited practices that falsely claim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Such practices have been rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health organization for decades, but due to continuing discrimination and societal bias against LGBTQ+ people, some practitioners continue to conduct conversion therapy. These practitioners have been labeled "unethical" by most of their professional associations. Minors are especially vulnerable, and conversion therapy can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide.
To date, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico all have laws or regulations protecting youth from this harmful practice. A growing number of municipalities have also enacted similar protections, including at least 70 cities and counties in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin.
It is "ignorant" to recommend such a clearly discredited and filthy practice.
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David George Promis
Thank you for your well thought out and executed response. Sometimes I don’t think some people realize that this organization leans towards acceptance and loving 🥰
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Rev. Klaire ThD, MA
Val, your ignorance is truly inhumane and scientifically unjustified and incorrect. I can only presume that you have never made yourself familiar with any of the legitimate medical, scientific, and psychological information associated with this topic. That, aside, the real problem with your self-inflicted ignorance is the actual and physical harm that it does to real, live, human beings. Your comment is a root of the attitudes and actions that spawned this incident in Oklahoma and many, many others.
Your uninformed 'opinion' is severely out of step with reality and extremely unwelcome anywhere except the most bigoted recesses of societal ignorance.
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Joe Stutler
Homophobia and transphobia are treatable illnesses. Please consult with a licensed mental health care professional for more information and help. You don't have to suffer.
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Thomas P. Davis
So is thinking that you are a sex that you're not, treatable.
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Amber Fry
Not according to the statistics. Those "treated" tend to be unhappy with a much higher rate of suicide. What's the point in "treating" them if they are not harming you or anyone else? Are they forcing you to behave differently? What you think about their life shouldn't matter. What you think about your own is what matters.
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Thomas P. Davis
This could get into a debate on whose statistics are accurate, and I will never step into that water, because in this world especially now, only God would know. A lot depends on whom takes, pays for and for what purpose they were taken. I also said nothing about forcing treatment on them or them harming anyone. God created us with free will. You are absolutely correct, what I think their life shouldn't matter and doesn't, other than the reports I read on how difficult it becomes for some of them once they do the actual physical changes and then realize they made a mistake and can't go back. Personally, I only have compassion, empathy and love for them. More important than what I think about my life, is what God thinks about my life. It should be the same with everyone else, but so much like scripture, everyone is worried about the spec in their brothers eye and forget about the beam in their own. God Bless
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
Transgender humans need nothing such as you describe. They are normal already.
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David George Promis
Normalcy? The very idea is why there is bigotry. Consenting adults 🧑
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Patricia Ann Gross
What you consider normal is only your opinion. Like others have stated, conversion/reparative therapy has been debunked by every medical and mental health organization and outlawed for use against minors in numerous states. As an earlier repsonse on this thread explains, there are people whose outward appearance do not match their biological gender. I am one such person. I get called "sir" more often than I like to think about. I am also married to a transgender man who would be arrested in states with "gender bathroom laws" no matter which one he uses, because he appears as male, complete with stocky build and facial hair, but was born female. I refuse to visit or relocate to a state where it is illegal for him to use a public restroom or that there is any sort of danger of our marriage being nullified (because that's what's coming next.)
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Robert E. Polston
Why is it that in every inch of goodness, human beings seem to slip in their own yard of filth? If Senator Woods is a Christian, who would want to join with him that has a good heart and doesn't let hate take root in their lives?
Woods has sworn an oath to the U.S. constitution as an Air National Guardsman, and possibly as a State Senator. I am curious if he doesn't need to resign or be ejected from these two bodies. It appears that an oath before God means little in the way he manages himself. He is a disgrace! I can only imagine a mother at home with an empty seat at her table and her heartache upon hearing such unpartriotic, unchristian, inhumane kinds of commentary.
Tom Woods should appologize and resign his commision and his office if he feels so off-beat from descency.
I guess there is a new branch of all faiths that replace love with hate and call it their own. Makes me nautious and sad!
Rev. Bobby
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Rebecca L Tice
I've abused gay men publicly and verbally. I tried to belittle them in front of others to bring them down. Now I know I was wrong.
Noah had four sons. God told Noah to get his four sons and their women and keep them safe on the ARC. Those four sons had the same DNA as Lot... who didn't "qualify" to be on the boat, even after God allowed the Angel to warn Lot and his family to evacuate Sodom.
So God knew he was allowing the DNA of both Cain and Abel to reinhabit the earth when the waters of the flood subsided.
God could have wiped out homosexualality with the flood. He didn't. He could have wiped out freckles while He was at it. He didn't.
Who are we to condemn them?
Perhaps homsexuality and bisexuality are just God's way of birth control. I'm sure He didn't plan for humans to reproduce until the earth was filled shoulder to shoulder by humans... where would they grow their food? Where would the other animals and creations reside?
God allowed five imperfect male humans... and their women... to step off the boat... just as they were.
Who are we to judge?
TIA
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
@Tice “ Those four sons had the same DNA as Lot”
Did the DNA test center that provided these results get destroyed in the flood?
Your post has a high HF. (Huh? Factor)
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Amber Fry
Are you implying they were not the descendants of Lot? Are you saying they had illegitimate decent in the line? Direct family lines share DNA regardless of if they are tested or not so unless somewhere it was written they were not directly related then it stands to reason they would be carrying similar DNA.
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Theresa C. Marquess
The loss of any human being is a sad, tragic thing. My heart goes out to the family and friends of this youngster. Senator Woods needs to re-evaluate his beliefs that he considers to be Christian...as things stand, he missed the boat. Maybe the voters in Oklahoma need to remember his comments when election time comes up. His attitude is a big part of the problems that exist in D.C.
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Rev Ned
If Oklahomans think they’re a “Christian State”, but do anti or un-Christian things, they are not a “Christian State”. Perhaps they worship at the feet of TR3 the, Anti-Christ.
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Todd Leslie Miller
“We are a Christian state and we will not allow that filth in “ Huh? Aren’t people that are considered ‘filth’ the sort of people Jesus associated with? Wasn’t the biggest attack on Jesus by the Pharisees the idea that he ate and drank with ‘publicans and sinners’? Sounds like the Christians in Oklahoma need to study the second great commandment. You know, the one that says something like ‘thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself’.
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Rev. Alyssa Cutler, Spiritual Healer
My heart goes out to them & their family. This was completely inexcusable. Furthermore, Sen. Woods' comment on how OK is inherently a Christian state & he wants to keep that "FILTH " out of there is disgusting 🫣 We have many friends & family in the LGBTQ+ community & they are far from beyond "filth". This not only upsets me & is demoralizing, but they deserve just as much justice & equality as anyone else does. I further agree that the Senator trying to force his beliefs on the entire state, let alone anyone else, violates the 1st Amendment.
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Mary E Benoit
As said before the day one is born black white, short or tall, male or female they are also born gay or straight. Ned I say more?
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Tanya Keller
When I was a child, I went to Sunday School. I was told that God loves everyone, and God is the one to judge. Then I got older and was told X is wrong and Y is wrong....etc. and I see Christians judge every day. Why is it OK when we get older to judge everyone? What happened to being good to others? My point is, if you believe you go to heaven and get judged before being welcomed in, then worry about yourself and any group or individual that does something you don't agree with or believe is wrong will get judged too...by God. I can't understand why...if you are a good person and have no ill will toward anyone but because you are male and love another male...you are not good, But....you can be a murderer, rapist, or child molester, etc. but because you believe in God you go to heaven automatically? Let God worry about it, it is not our place to judge anyone.
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Ari Joseph Bertine
That is just a gross, hateful young man saying what he thinks will get him to where he needs to be to make the most money. He doesn't speak for Christianity, there are plenty of loving and scientifically minded Christians who know better than what this brat is spewing. He's no different from a schoolyard bully claiming the playground as his turf.
It's also disturbing to continue to see so many government employees demonstrate such contempt for our country's freedom of religion. People died for his right to believe what he wants, but also for other people's right to not have his beliefs forced on them. He needs to be removed from office and re-educated.
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Julie Lydia Rogers
Let us not forget Jesus’ words in Matthew 18; 1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me harm, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! Who remembers the Sunday School song Jesus loves the little Children? Jesus loves the little children All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world. Dax was a child, a precious child whom upon their death was ushered into the kingdom of God. Will the politician who calls children “ filth” enter as easily? Probably not. Jesus was very clear about how we are to treat our children, not just the unborn. The Christian right loves the unborn but hates the burden of caring for the living. Are you really a Christian if you don’t follow the words of Christ?!?! I don’t think so. Be very careful who you follow for there are many false prophets leading you astray under the guise of Christianity.
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David George Promis
LETS WORK ON SOLVING OUR OWN FEARS AND INSECURITIES AND NOT THAT OF OTHERS = BETTER WORLD 🌎
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ServantOfJudgement
I've been watching this story since it first broke. Once the initial wave of straight hate was launched, mainstream media moved to it's next assignment issued by the hive mind.
According to the sheriff that handled this case, this boy started the fight in the girls bathroom that he was using. After he started the fight with the girls, the girls got the upper hand(good for them) and beat him up. The next day he went to the hospital for unknown reasons. He later died for unknown reasons.
It's tragic that our culture demands we let males use female restrooms, play in female only sports, and in general take the place of females as females, which they are not. It's disturbing that grown educated adults are referring to him as 'they'. If the boy isn't possessed by demons, then he's a he. If he's possessed by demons, I'm fine with calling him they, like Legion of the new testament. They were Legion untill Jesus expelled them.
This boy would probably be alive if it weren't for the hive mind and it's insane drones. The hive does not produce honey, it produces madness. Bitter hate filled madness.
God rest his soul.
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James Riggle-Johnson
@ServantOfJudgement, FYI, Nex Benedict was a biological female. They were non-binary, presenting themselves neither as boy nor girl.
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Evone Payton Banks (Minister non denominational)
The Fact that we are discussing this issue, proves there is an issue between religion and state views at government levels. No one's private religious practices should have to come into questions with someone's sexual preferences or by which they want to be called. The message we send as the elders in generations will affect and effect generations to come after. We have a responsibility to the future of our lives to be careful of such regulations and stereotypical behavior.
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Evone Payton Banks (Minister non denominational)
If we attack our future on views that should never be allowed to be discussed in ways of harming... What does that say about us as a people? Sexuality or Religion should never be the center point of hate.
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Deborah Jean Howard
I think it’s very sad what these states are doing in the name of God saying that they are Christians. They are not Christians anybody that believes in God, do not put down other people they do not encourage violence. These so-called Christians they are not working with God in mind. They are only Looking after themselves. This is very sad. And very disgusting.
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Reverend Marika
I feel sorry and heartbroken for anyone who wants to leave Oklahoma but is stuck in that so-called "christian" state. Those co-called "christians" are disgusting.
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David George Promis
Beautifully written Lorraine 😌 Too many people use the moniker of being a “Christian” to justify their own insecurities and fears, and they also use the Bible as a weapon of destroying others as a hope of entry into Heaven.
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Julie Armstrong
Sodom and Gomorrah!! GOD destroyed them and for good reason. God made you. You have no right to physically change your body parts. That is Satan! Taking hormones for the opposite sex makes your brain do crazy things, That's why the suicide rate amongst these individuals is very high. Working in medical field I can see first hand. It is not because of feeling outcast like media says , it's because the body is rejecting it. Like taking illegal drugs it's harmful. You can't say you Love and Believe in and Trust GOD and then destroy what GOD created. And the parents who allow this before the age of 18, need to be thrown in jail and the key lost forever.
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Patricia Ann Gross
You may work in the medical field, but are obviously clueless to the mental health issues of being marginalized and outcast by society. All that the laws that Sen. Woods is proud of are contributing to society bullying these individuals. While hormone therapy can have some psychological side-effects, they are closely monitored by the doctors who know what to look for in that respect. If the person transitioning is doing so with black market hormones and trying to short-circuit the psychological therapy requirements (which are extensive), then what you describe can happen. For most who go by the standard transition protocols, the biggest cause of psychological issues are caused by the rejection they get from society and bigots like this. BTW, Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed for good reason, but you have the reason all wrong. You need to go back and study some more.
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Robert Edward Szekely
Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because the people there were poor hosts to visitors, as it was customary at that time and place to offer shelter and food because travel was arduous. Rather, the denizens of those cities instead saw visitors as "fresh meat" for their pleasure.
That has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with LGBTQ+ individuals.
"Satan" by the way, is a title. It is a Hebrew word meaning "adversary". It is not a name, any more than "Christ" (from Greek "Christos") is, which means "anointed one" (in Hebrew, "Mesiach"). King David was a Christ, as well as Jesus. Both were favored by God, and so were anointed with oils as was the custom to reflect this. The Old Testament speaks of many "satans" (plural).
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Amber Fry
You understand the whole of Sodom and Gomorrah was about hospitality, right? Misunderstandings twisted the story over time, generally because of cultural differences that were misunderstood, but the crooks of it was about treating strangers who visited the city and the homes of the residents badly.
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Thomas P. Davis
Amen, but we still need to have compassion on them.
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Robert Edward Szekely
Your polemic is noted and summarily dismissed as irrational.
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Rolland Pitzer
I live not far away from where this happened and my heart goes out to the family. We lost our 5 year old son in 1984 and the pain never goes away. The state of Oklahoma should be ashamed of themselves to claim that they are Christians is a bad joke but this train of thought isn’t just in Oklahoma it’s across this entire country from a particular political party that is promoting the worst in human nature. Evangelicals really! Do they really believe that their behavior is what god wanted for his creation. Maybe these and I will say lightly Christians should study the book of revelations carefully to see where their fates will be. The family is in enough pain Oklahoma
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Brian Hemesath
"As Christians, we cannot handwave away violent attacks on the LGBTQ community, even if we do not agree with that lifestyle."
I think it is important to note that LGBTQ isn't a lifestyle - lifestyles are formed by decisions we make. LGBTQ isn't a decision.
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James Mounts
You may be correct, being gay is not a choice, but switching from trousers to skirts is. Fabricating ridiculous pronouns is. Competing in women's sports is... ad nauseum.
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Tawnya Jean Luke
There are way too many commenters here who do not know, nor do they want to know, biblical Jesus. They want to control and to be cruel. Using a well know and socially accepted gang/cult of hate and violence. The 'convert or die' mentality the church has become is barreling the backward united states toward another dark age. Love one another as I have loved you. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Treat the foreigner in your land as a member of your own tribe. Jesus said, the well have no need of a doctor. Nothing has changed. The implacable mind of a hypocrite hasn't changed since he walked this earth. He never, not once, mention same sex anything. He wasn't worried about it in the least. Churches have used the manmade and inserted 'man shall not lie with man as with woman" to incite violence, here and ridicule since 1946 when the verse was retranslated for mans amusement. The US went contrary to the Constitution in 1952 and decided to indoctrinate every American to the desired religion. Ironic since America was stolen from established indigenous citizens in the stampede for "religious freedom". Christian nationalists will not be satisfied until the US is remade in the image of their supreme leader. It certainly isn't God or Jesus. Cruelty, hate and violence are the entire point. In the case of Nex, the state of Oklahoma forced them to use the bathroom of their biological sex. That's what they were doing in their to begin with. If one goes back to the published data on the day of, the narrative didn't say anything about the now maligned Nex hitting anyone. The original narrative was they were jumped in the bathroom by a group of mean girl wannabes who aren't capable of critical thinking or even having their own opinions. We learn our initial views of the world from parents, family members, nearby adults and peers. This tells me first and foremost the caliber of people in the state of Oklahoma and their anti-american colonizer indoctrinated belief system has nothing to do with God or Jesus or religion of any modern era. Only the "re-made in our hateful image" religion they have full throatedly embraced for the sheer thrill of demagoguery and entertainment. Cruelty is the point.
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Robert Edward Szekely
"Christian" Nationalism is fundamentally un-Christian in both philosophy and practice. It's a form of facism encloaked in religious trappings.
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Katelynne Shouse
👏👏👏👏
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Rev. MichaelRS
While I disagree with the Senator's expressed take on the whole subject, I hope if something like this happens in Dearborn, Michigan and the perpetrators are Muslims that the same amount of outrage will be directed to Islam and the Quran.
As we are a more cerebral society these days there is little justification for the sort of thing that happened to that student.
However, by way of explanation, ever since caveman days, and before, humans and animals have been hardwired to reject from the group those things that are perceived to be detrimental to it and it's survival.
That is why there is a gut reaction, an instinctive revulsion if you will, against diverse sexual orientations and more recently the plethora of gender identification which has its roots not in the scientific world but rather in the metaphysical.
To overcome that natural reaction there has to be an extensive campaign of brainwashing, starting with children as young as possible and proceeding on through the colleges and universities, that all of that deviation is just another kind of normal.
Well, there are people that have avoided that brainwashing and continue to see how detrimental to society such deviations are.
But as I say, we have evolved into a more cerebral Society and as such the argument in favor of the deviations is mostly countered with arguments against.
But then there are others that think actions against such deviations must be taken to protect the group as a whole.
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Danny D. Maynard
Perhaps the worst deviation of all is the one where others feel they have some "God-given" right to punish those they do not like, and via legislation, hurt those they will never ever meet! How sad!
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Robert James Ruhnke
The leading demographic for child molestation in the US is white, straight, male and Christian, Kester. That study is over a decade old and doesn’t take into account the Protestant side of the molestation. It still falls into the leading demographic I mentioned. White, straight, male Christian teachers committing the atrocities doesn’t surprise anyone.
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Rev. MichaelRS
That is the silly way in which statistics are used. It's like saying it's more lucky to buy Quick Pick lottery tickets because 60% of those are winners. Well the reason 60% of them are winners is because they are 60% of tickets sold.
So, yeah it would make sense that Christian white males by raw numbers are the leading child molesters because they are by far the largest population group in the US
But that of course if that's where one leaves it then they're obviously not paying attention to what's going on in Muslim communities on a per capita basis
Also, if you would like to search the "Post Millennial trans molesters" you will see article after article of those individuals that are involved in that activity.
And you know who a MOSTLY beats up and/or kills trans women? Let's just say it's other than white men that are the assailants.
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Robert James Ruhnke
All the Abrahamic faith bases have communities of men who are predatory in the name of their demon god. So this phenomenon isn’t just limited to Christians or Muslims. As I’ve been following the crisis in Gaza, it’s been brought to my attention that the Israelis are obsessed with r*pe and SA of Palestinian women. So it’s all three that have a problem. I don’t single any one out on its own as being unique in any way. Two things. The Post Millennial is a right wing rag that tries to be relevant. It’s medium credibility and it’s known false reporting tell me you’re not pay attention. True, other groups, due to the same influences, those being Judeo-Christian values due have a problem with violence against trans and nonbinary people. However, two-thirds of Americans are against laws that would limit transgender rights. So that tells me more people are accepting than aren’t.
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Rev. MichaelRS
That rape nonsense is propaganda from Hamas and the supporters of that terrorist. Hamas is trying to deflect from the horrible sex crimes that they themselves have committed not only on October 7th but they continue abuse of Israeli women and men in their custody.
I would like you to show me one story in the post millennial that has been proven false. Their Chief correspondence, Andy Ngo, is a gay man with no more agenda than to exposed the corrupt and disrupted philosophies of the Communist left as perpetrated by BLM and Antifa and the abuse of children in the name of transgenderism
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Robert James Ruhnke
I can show you hundreds of articles that call your claims as Israeli Occupying Forces propaganda. Using one website with sketchy biases and barely medium accurate reporting is why people call you out for being a closeted bigot. Hamas has no power. They’re rag tags trying fight off the world’s 4th largest military. A military that we keep supplying with arms.
There are plenty of gay men out there with internalized homophobia reporting for conservative, so excuse me as I scoff at your attempt at trying to pull the wool over my eyes. An no. Communists aren’t abusing children. That would be right wing churches and right wing politicians hurting actual children. Again. When y’all project, you’re telling on yourselves of your own horrible behaviors. Andy Ngo is a great example of a racist gay bigot. Thank you for bringing to light so others can see him for what he is.
The UN and the World are watching them closely. Israel is the terrorist state in the Middle East. The fact you only use one source for data tells me you’re blind to the plight of many different peoples, not just Palestinians. Shame on you. Shame on you, sham on you.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/02/israelopt-un-experts-appalled-reported-human-rights-violations-against
https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2024/2/19/un-experts-warn-of-israeli-violations-against-palestinian-women-girls
https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/story/world/palestinian-women-girls-sexually-assaulted-by-israeli-forces-un-experts-raise-concern-2901694
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Rev. MichaelRS
I didn't look at all of your links but I noticed one was from Al Jazeera where one of THEIR their REPORTERS was recently exposed as not just a Hamas fighter but a junior Hamas Commander.
To find details on that all one has to do is search, "Al Jazeera reporter Hamas Commander."
The rest of what you wrote is so blatantly left as propaganda I'm not even going to address it. But for anybody else reading this I will point out that Hamas is NO ragtag bunch of "Freedom Fighters".
Everybody knows that Hamas is an advanced paramilitary organization with a sophisticated command & control structure with 24 battle groups at the battalion level. Thus far Israel has decimated 17 of those.
And there is no shortage of people in Hamas that are technology experts to operate their drones communication systems and manufacture IEDs with sophisticated triggering systems.
All of what Hamas has done in the past 17 years including building OVER 300 miles (over 485 km) of tunnels and bunkers under Gaza, could not have been accomplished unless Hamas had the support of the VAST MAJORITY of the so-called "innocent civilians" of Gaza...which they do.
If you look at the videos of the October 7th attack you will see many people pouring into Israel that had no weapons at all these were the so-called innocent civilians of Gaza they're reporting through to take advantage of the situation. Including kidnapping Israelis, both alive and dead, to turn over, mostly to sell, to Hamas.
And don't get me started on UNRWA, which is a Hamas front, full of Hamas supporters. They proof of which has been presented to the world in the United Nations over the past few weeks.
Anyyway, if you find something that is FACTUALLY NOT TRUE with Andy Ngo reporting please let us know what it is.
And if anybody would like to know the TRUTH about Gaza and Joe Biden's LACK of support for Israel and how they left ideologues are waging a propaganda war against Israel all they have to do is listen to the various commentators on JNS TV on YouTube.
You may not like what you hear, but the point is, is what they are saying FACTUALLY NOT TRUE?
If what they are saying is factually not true I'm sure there would be some clear evidence of that.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Oh yes, Micheal, The Post Millennial is like a beacon of truth, accuracy, and literary genius. It’s like reading a transcript from the Fox News Channel.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Michael, when you add the "straight and Christian," you no longer have a majority.
If you look at hate crimes, they by definition are all against someone who doesn't look or act like them. This was a hate crime, whether or not the girls can be charged with the murder, they would qualify as assault with a hate crime enhancement. To reiterate, the non-binary student was biologically female and in a girl's bathroom and assaulted by girls, most likely for looking different. I know what that's like, because I often get mis-gendered, even though I am a cis-female, when I go out in public wearing no makeup and jeans. (Small chest and short hair, with broad shoulders contribute to the misconception). I thank God that this has never happened to me.
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Rev. MichaelRS
"Mean Girls" is a thing between most girls from junior high on.
Just because the girl was non-binary (which is a silly thing) I haven't read anything that said that's why she was attacked.
What I did read was she wasn't alone. She was with some friends and she first poured water on the girls that ended up fighting her.
So who started what and who started going physical?
This idea people who are some sort of minority, whether it's racial or sexual preference or gender identification, cannot themselves be jerks is ridiculous
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James Mounts
Rev Mike Your well-presented narrative reminds me of one of my favorite movie lines. In "African Queen" Katherine Hepburn says to Humphrey Bogart, "NATURE is what we are put on this earth to rise above."
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Robert Edward Szekely
Don't judge a group by the actions of individuals.
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Robert James Ruhnke
When two many individuals become a large enough group and have similar gross goals in mind, that argument becomes void.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Agree. Stupid is as stupid does,
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Rolando Couce
THEY ARE NOT FILTH BUT THEY HAVE TAKEN THERE BELIEFS TOO FAR AND THEY HAVE TRIED TO BRAIN WASH PEOPLE TO TURN ALL PEOPLE GAY
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James Riggle-Johnson
Seriously? You cannot turn a person gay anymore than you can turn a gay person straight. Nobody is brainwashing. It is not a belief… it is the way they are. They are tired of people wanting them to disappear and go back into the closet. It isn’t going to happen. God made them that way.
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Thomas P. Davis
You can listen to the doctors on the other side of the of the fence and see how their DNA will change when their lifestyle changes. Similar to the movie King Corn where the students DNA ha a percentage of corn in it When they asked their professor why, he said you are what you eat. So, they went to the stores and looked at the ingredients of what they ate, and everything had corn sucrose in it.
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Rev. Rory
That's sarcasm, right? You can't "make" somebody decide that they are gay. Yikes.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
Can you let us know when you made the decision to be straight, or did someone brainwash you into being straight? As the mom of a transgender daughter I’m very interested in your response. Let’s discuss.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Some statements are such that I visualize them with stupidity oozing off them lije maple syrup on pancakes.
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Paul Mills
I do not believe that people chose to be gay. But.... When people tell me that being gay is a choice it makes me realise that these same people are fighting that choice constantly. There is much to be gleaned from this.
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Robert Edward Szekely
SHOUTING nonsense doesn't make it more convincing.
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Jimmy Moon
The alphabet people are living in sin. That's a fact. IF the writer is a Christian, he would want America to be a Christian nation, not the pagan nation we are becoming. That's a fact, Jack.
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Lionheart
The word “sin” is a human construct with no demonstrable evidence of its reality.
🦁❤️
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
“That's a fact, Jack.”
That’s your opinion, Minion.
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Reverend Marika
If America is becoming a pagan country....excellent. It's called evolution.
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Todd Leslie Miller
Of course bear in mind that the word ‘pagan’ is derived from the Latin word ‘pagan us’ which roughly translates as ‘rural dweller’. If we translated this word directly into English we would get terms such as hillbilly, hayseed, redneck, etc. And I find that rather ironic since what we today call paganism was practiced by my Appalachian ancestors in some degree as folk magic. I think that the swing to paganism is partially because people are looking at the churches and seeing how intolerant they can be.
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Todd Leslie Miller
Sorry. Word should have been ‘paganus’. Damn spell check!
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Robert Edward Szekely
Stating that something "is a fact" does not by that act make it so.
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Daniel Gray
No they are not. And the story needs to be changed as the girl didnt die from the beating, according to the hospital and police reports she passed away from some form of drug residue found on her clothing and her hands. Thats why she is undergoing an autopsy at the present time to see what actually killed her. I could be wrong but to me it sounds like a "beat in" where gangs beat the snot out of you for a count of 30 to initiate you and then they drink or take drugs afterwords to celebrate you becoming part of the gang.
But as for LBGTQ being scum here, nope. You may disagree with them but if this is your true feelings then you need to leave and dont come back.
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Robert Louis Rada
Daniel I think you’re referring to “jump you in & jump you out”. It is a gang ritual that goes back 50 + years. The participant is willing & proud to be initiated. At least in the “jump you in…” part. ~Gangland 101.
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Stephen Fullerton
This is a Christian country and so should be every state.
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David George Promis
How is this a Christian Country? Please use unbiased verifiable documentation that you can present to justify such a broad based concept. Your religious ideology does not qualify for submission, nor does your personal interpretation or indoctrination. Hint: I live at the start of the trail of tears, African Americans were abused and used by leaders of this Country, etc….doesn’t sound like Christian ideas to me, but more like a bullying pulpit to control others unlike how we see ourselves.
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Robert Edward Szekely
A nation in which the majority of the population profess to be Christian does not constitute a Christian nation.
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Steven Ferrell
I do think to try and correlate this incident of that young person to Christianity is also wrong to assume.
I have seen incidents against gays that were carried out most times by those who are not Christians, nor profess any religious beliefs at all.
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Scott Smith
Hmm...
If you sin in your mind, is that a sin?
Nex became a human being at conception, according to Christian extremists. Therefore, the death is without question is murder. They believe Nex had no right to life. That they and their values are more important and the only things that matter, especially in Oklahoma, makes Oklahoma not OK according to their elected officials.
Isn't that their whole abortion argument?
So now, there is precedence that it is not okay to abort a fetus, but it is okay to murder someone holding beliefs you perceive to be anti-Christian, it is okay to murder someone in a preemptive war, and it is okay to murder someone you believe killed someone else via corporal punishment.
What happened to corrupt peoples' ability to think things through logically?
All Oklahomans? Probably not. Real Christians and other people holding true moral values need to get out to the polls and make changes to their governance.
Hmm...
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James Mounts
The first amendment defines what The United States Congress cannot do concerning religion. I have read it, and I cannot find a reference to state governors.
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David Sanchez jr 2
Paxton and anyother pantheos god, should not be in order. This is ALANIS sanctioned hell.
https://www.instagram.com/bleckhollywood?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
https://www.instagram.com/santacorky?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
https://www.instagram.com/alanis?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
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James Mounts
If freedom comes first before faith, then the girls's freedom to pee without a boy watching, trumps the boy's faith that he is a she.
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Daniel Werman
Lorraine Fisher is a wack job. She has no idea what the constitution actually means. As Christians we are to love the sinner but Hate the sin. Wake up lady.
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Rev. Rory
What happened to Freedom of Religion? States are declaring a single religion for their citizens and passing laws based on a single religious view of the world. General Flynn wants a national, Christian religion. The beauty of living in the United States (which is full of faults but striving to be better was always a stated goal) was the ability to worship as you wish (or not) and the ability to be who you are. It's always been a fight. We were making progress. Now it's going backwards. Why is there a backlash against... everything? I have no desire to be a Puritan, but if I did, it would be about me, not 330 million people.
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Matthew Mastrogiovanni
If your religion teaches you to hate. You need a new religion.
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Revd. Dr. R. Vincent BEM, LDPS
This issue is a complex one. I have no objection to a man putting on a dress and wanting to be called Loretta. He is perfectly free to do so. He has a right to do so. I respect his right to do so. He should not be mocked for that desire. On the other hand, should Loretta, having only self identified, be allowed into women only spaces? Should she be allowed to participate in women's sports? As a father to 6 daughters, an uncle to 3 nieces and a grandfather to a granddaughter, I would argue 'absolutely not'. Women need to feel safe in women only spaces. Women who have trained for years should not be pitched against an athlete superiorly stronger.
The Tavistock Hospital in London were giving puberty blockers to children whom it later transpired were merely gay rather than gender dysphoric. Young girls were being encouraged to have breasts removed and given testosterone, which they later regretted. Boys, too, were given female hormone treatments, which they later couldn't reverse. Thankfully, the programme has been shut down and the hospital sued multiple times. Actually, statistics gathered under the Freedom of Information Act show that many gender reassignment surgeries are reversed. It begs the question: are we, as a society, pushing our confused youngsters down the wrong route? It seems to me that the Tavistock were trying to irradicate homosexuality by their actions.
The whole thing is a minefield and frankly, I think that the Trans community may need to accept that there are going to be limitations as to what they can do and where they can go, as I do as a disabled person. It's not ideal but one cannot trample the rights of the many for the rights of the few. However, it is incumbent on the many to accommodate the few wherever and whenever possible and with as much dignity as possible. You are never going to please everyone but you can at least try and compromise. This is just my view and before people start shouting 'Bigot', two of my daughters are part of the LGB community and I cannot be more proud of them for coming out and being true to themselves.
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Sally Jeanne Altobello
I'm sickened by almost all of the above. My cousin was born hermaphroditic and the doctors chose her gender at birth. Granted this was 50 years ago and, thankfully, the docs chose correctly for her. Aside from not being able to bear children, she is as normal as anyone. She is a good person, has a good career, adopted a child and has been a great mother. Does it matter at all that she was born with both genitalia? Does it change anything in YOUR life that she doesn't fit into one's "normal" box? Absolutely not! AND, nor is it anyone else's business whether I am gay or trans or straight--it changes nothing in your life. You'll still go to your job, go home to your family, eat the same foods, etc. Let people be their authentic selves! BTW, everyone will be able to know someone who doesn't fit into that "normal" (whatever normal is) box--be it a friend or, just as likely, a family member. They are still just as lovable.
For those claiming there are only TWO genders and that being LGBTQIA+ is "unnatural", "evil", that kids are being "forced to be it", etc. WRONG.
Genetically speaking, there are over 50 human gender variants, though outwardly, a person's gender can be born to show one of four physical appearances.
1) Born appearing to be male.
2) Born appearing to be female.
3) Born hermaphroditic, i.e. showing both gender traits.
4) Born genderless, showing no gender traits.
Now, that being said, it's not unusual for the PARENTS to choose their children's gender if they are born hermaphrodite or genderless. However, what the parents choose may NOT be what the gender of the child actually is. Nor does their outward appearance always show their true gender as well.
Allow me to explain.
You see, genetically speaking, as I stated earlier, there are multiple human genders, and there are many, many MORE gender variants. You can appear to be female by birth, and yet, genetically, be male. Internally, at the genetic level, your DNA shows that you are actually "wired" to be male, as it were.
You can appear to be male, by birth, and yet, genetically, be female. Internally, at the genetic level, your DNA shows you are actually "wired" to be female.
So, despite what some individuals may espouse and claim, there are FAR more than two human genders. Hell, even by birth, you can physically be one of four outward appearances. And it is, I assure you, all completely natural. There is no "god" factor with this, or a "devil" factor, or anything supernatural involved. For those who believe in such a thing.
It all comes down to how your DNA came together before you were ever born. So for those saying individuals who are LGBTQ+ are "unnatural", and those disparaging Trans individuals as "refusing their birth-right", you're wrong. It's completely natural. And, in fact, an individual transitioning to the other gender may, in fact, be simply gaining the physical appearance they were meant to have all along.
https://genetic.org/variations/
Bridget, thank you. I appreciate the energy you have to put this reasoned explainer here! Cheers
So you said a whole lot there but produced absolutely nothing to validate your claims - just like religion! Evidence is the only thing missing from both the Bible and your statement - people make outrageous claims about President Trump on a daily basis and the only evidence they could possibly supply shows the exact opposite of their claims just like “climate change” or “global warming” or “biden got 81 million votes” all lies and all have evidence of the contrary of what’s claimed so I invite you to produce this “scientifically based factual peer reviewed evidence” of these 50+ genders that don’t exist in nature otherwise your claims are just like that of religions - nice stories but fictional!
Wor hether you can "prove" LGBT people are wrong does not , BY ANY MEANS, give justification for taking away their rights as Americans under our Constitution.
Nor justify ANY violence against them as human beings. Nor remove them from needing and expecting love, safety and respect by the rest of us. Tom Woods is a typical Christofascist. If you don't like that description, here's another one: He is a psychologically very sick person. If you don't like that one, he is a stingy, sour, jealous, hateful little boy that never grew up and never learned to love and probably will never learn to love. He ran away from Eros. And, is taking his disappointment in love all out on the rest of us. He has never "got" the teaching Jesus gave. He is a complete failure as a human being. He is a total BORE. He needs to be watched, corrected whenever and wherever possible. LGBT people are OK and have the right to their lives.
What Bridget Kielas-Fecyk has written here is well established medical science. No evidence, you say ? Go look it up for yourself.
You either born male or female or very few born with defect of having two organs. but its determined by the age of 8 when one cervix born has developed.. it has been proved if you die and we exhume your skeleton 50years after through cervix bone we can determine who was male or female