Kasim Reed says he’s still ‘wrestling with my beliefs’ on gay marriage
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed this evening said he’s not ready to follow President Barack Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage, declaring he was still “wrestling with my own personal beliefs.”
Here’s his statement:
“I respect President Obama’s decision to stand in support of marriage equality. I have fought hard for the rights of gays and lesbians my entire political career, from protecting adoption rights for gay and lesbian families, to voting against Georgia’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage as a state senator, to serving as the state house sponsor for the only hate crimes bill ever passed in the state of Georgia.
“While I am still wrestling with my own personal beliefs on the issue of marriage, I deeply appreciate the contributions gays and lesbians make to our city every single day and I remain committed to Atlanta’s vibrant and diverse LGBT community.”
Local petitions like this one on Facebook, urging Reed to hurry up and “evolve,” are already pushing the issue.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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165 comments Add your comment
td
May 10th, 2012
6:19 pm
The new Democratic litmus test has arrived in full force.
Voted Most Popular
May 10th, 2012
6:31 pm
Being heterosexual is no longer popular I see.
Sharkman
May 10th, 2012
6:35 pm
If you’ve done so many things for the gay community Mr. Mayor you should be proud to support gay marriage. Our esteemed President now does. What are you waiting for?
ND
May 10th, 2012
6:38 pm
Overblown and relatively irrelevant political issue, used by both sides to distract from real problems.
Lynn
May 10th, 2012
6:41 pm
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”
td
May 10th, 2012
6:49 pm
From Dreams of my father by Obama:
“I am not her boyfriend, I shouted. I ran up to Coretta and gave her a slight shove. She staggered back and looked up at me, but still said nothing. “Leave me alone!” I shouted again. And suddenly Coretta was running, faster and faster, until she disappeared out of my sight. Appreciative laughs rose around me. Then the bell rand and the teachers appeared to round us back to class” BHO
Let us see if I have this right. Romney “bullied” another male student and Obama “shoved” a female. Looks like that “war on women” theme and bullying just bit the dust.
Truth Spoken
May 10th, 2012
6:50 pm
My sister is gay. Do I support gay marriage? No. Do I believe homosexuality is a sin? Yes. Do I love my sister to death? Yes. However, I believe being gay is unnatural and a spiritual strong-hold that needs to be broken like any addiction. At the end of the day being gay is a choice.
JesusFreak
May 10th, 2012
6:52 pm
Our esteemed Mayor might realize something Barry doesn’t – that when his time is up and he’s headed to his forever home, he is going to stand before a just God to be judged for eternity. Not everyone will gain the world and lose their soul in order to pander for votes. Some actually have integrity. Well phrased quote, all humans are valued and can make individual contributions but it doesn’t mean that their difference should be endorsed by the government. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Love the sinner but hate the sin.
CLEMSONDUDE
May 10th, 2012
7:00 pm
By some of the comments, there are many stupid people in our area…What morons! Who cares if gays marry..Sheeehhhh!!!!
DannyX
May 10th, 2012
7:05 pm
“Do I believe homosexuality is a sin? Yes”
What are your sins Truth Spoken? What’s your choice of sins?
How may we judge you?
EasternNotMiddle
May 10th, 2012
7:06 pm
seems like there is a lot of anti-christian vitriol about this … what do other religions do?
Caz
May 10th, 2012
7:12 pm
The government should never have gotten into issuing marriage licenses. But as they did and can’t disentangle easily, they damn well better make sure it’s open to everyone regardless of religious bias.
DannyX
May 10th, 2012
7:16 pm
Hey Jesus Freak…
“Love the sinner but hate the sin.”
Do you ever say that to your divorced friends/family?
Do you ever give them the “, all humans are valued and can make individual contributions but it doesn’t mean that their difference should be endorsed by the government. Right is right and wrong is wrong,” spiel?
Do you ever preach to them about
Chris
May 10th, 2012
7:20 pm
DannyX you are wrong just because people are not perfect does not mean that you can’t call out others. We are all sinners and come short but that does not give us as beleivers in Christ a way out of calling others to do what is right. Jesus will put in your heart what is right and wrong and it is everyones choice to do what they will. I am saved by the blood of Jesus but I still sin and have to pray and be forgiven. Homosexuality is forbidden and called out in the Bible and God will give you up if you choose to follow that path.
nene456
May 10th, 2012
7:22 pm
I am not gay but I think that everyone should be happy gay or straight. Who are we to judge let he who is without sin cast the first stone. I am proud of my president for voicing his support for gay marriage he has secured my vote
Bobby
May 10th, 2012
7:29 pm
Kasim Reed and Chief Turner have been anti-gay since the start of his administration. The window dressing they have done for the Eagle Raid was only due to lawsuits. Chief Turner is as bigoted today as he was 20 years ago toward gays. Notice he consistently rejects any criticism of his officers by the Review Board.
barasso
May 10th, 2012
7:30 pm
odumbo “evolves” on this issue. guess the new democrap word we’ll hear on issues now is “evolve”.
Darryl Moore
May 10th, 2012
7:30 pm
The mayor should base his decision on his religious beliefs and NOT succumb to political and social pressure.
Laura
May 10th, 2012
7:30 pm
Jinny, you are a hateful moron. What an ugly, unfortunate combination. I pity the people who have to deal with you in real life.
how's about this.....
May 10th, 2012
7:31 pm
Jesus said “What sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and never lift a finger to ease the burden.”
Luke 11:46
Yag Kosha
May 10th, 2012
7:33 pm
As a reformed Christian (meaning I no longer am a slave to Bible bunk) I don’t really care what Jesus would do or what Christians think. Try it, it’s extremely liberating. And no I am not afraid of being judged by God. If God judges me as unfit then he isn’t much of a God.
Who cares
May 10th, 2012
7:37 pm
Land of the free? Not so much. Christians are mad bc they’re just a fad and slowly fading.
Tim
May 10th, 2012
7:37 pm
sorry bible thumpers, I’ve been too busy eating pork and shellfish in my cotton/poly blend shirt…What’s this all about again?
really
May 10th, 2012
7:37 pm
this is truly sad- you dont want to judge, yet, it is not recognized, yet you have gay friends and family, and you don’t want to not support them; yet your crucified for saying its ok to be gay……. it may not be your choice to be gay, but can we really judge anyone? go ahead and bash this post now you infamous bloggers; by the way, the post from hows about this said it best!
DannyX
May 10th, 2012
7:37 pm
“Homosexuality is forbidden and called out in the Bible and God will give you up if you choose to follow that path.”
Why should gay people care? Most “Christians” totally ignore Jesus on divorce.
Divorce is forbidden and called out in the Bible and God will give you up if you choose to follow that path.
Divorce is a CHOICE!
Tim
May 10th, 2012
7:38 pm
worth repeating:
Jesus said “What sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and never lift a finger to ease the burden.”
Luke 11:46
Who cares
May 10th, 2012
7:41 pm
DannyX is spot on….
bloggers
May 10th, 2012
7:42 pm
agree to disagree- writing on this blog is a choice- and when man husband beats wife, dang right wife chooses to get a divorce; let husband keep beating her ass; i think not. divorce is a choice sometimes best made choices at that. most younger people today do think its okay to get married and divorced because its not working out; well when the working out is getting beat etc, yes then divorce. this is all non-sense- to EACH HIS OR HER OWN.
Aimee
May 10th, 2012
7:43 pm
TOTALLY WORTH REPEATING; Jesus said “What sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and never lift a finger to ease the burden.”
Luke 11:46
DO YOU PEOPLE EVEN GET THIS?
I WILL THIRD THAT
May 10th, 2012
7:44 pm
Jesus said “What sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and never lift a finger to ease the burden.”
Luke 11:46
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO EASE THE BURDEN?
Who cares
May 10th, 2012
7:46 pm
No one cares what Jesus said. We dont live by his rules.
Bob Saccamano
May 10th, 2012
7:47 pm
I’m a conservative, but I really don’t have enough time to care who someone is sleeping with. If I judged people on who they banged, I probably wouldn’t associate with any of my friends after seeing what they took home in college (myself included). If you have enough spare time to worry about who your neighbor is going to bed with every night, you need a new hobby. Go do something productive.
mamaj
May 10th, 2012
7:47 pm
Please consider that things like gay marriage take time to evolve. It was not that long ago that Black people could not marry Whites, could not vote, etc.,—-things that others were allowed to do freely. There may come a time, years from now, when this will not even be an issue and we’ll all be wondering what the big deal was, but in the meantime, you cannot bully people into changing their beliefs overnight and certainly, calling people idiots and worse, won’t help your cause. There was a time when I was adamantly opposed to my children dating someone of another race, but as time goes by, my opinion is slowly but surely changing, and it was my own metamorphosis and life experiences that affected that change–not someone breathing down my back. So, with that said, I am at this present point, not in favor of gay marriage. It feels morally wrong to me. You may call me names if you want, but everything in due time, people–everything in due time.
Larry
May 10th, 2012
7:48 pm
I was a pallbearer for one of my dearest friends who was gay man. He was one of the nicest men I ever new. However, as I told him, I believe homosexuailty is an act of perversion and the attraction to a perverse and/or unnatural act is a fight we all have to deal with.
I think this president is a total coward, and now is looking for anything to pull out an election victory amid the worst and most unaccomplished presidency in a generation. What has he accomplished? We are worse in every single economic factor now four years later.
Back to the perversion. I think we hide behind clinical definitions or social classifications so allow me to be very, very specific. Using one example, for a man to become sexually aroused at the thought of using his sexual organ to penetrate the harmful bacteria ridden waste, fecal producing anus and rectum of another man is utter, unabashed sexual perversion.
Honestly, I would respect more a gay if he said “me and my partner have made the private decision to be sexual perverts in the privacy of our home” and stop pretending to be a anatomically male and female.
And these here’s the really sad part. The coward Obama, and the coward Reed, are now saying it’s okay for Bill and Bob to hump one another’s rectum while their adopted, innocent child listens in the next room. Now you tell me what the real motivation and influence on this child will be? I’ll tell you! They will raise this child thinking that sexual perversion is perfectly fine…because our president says so!
This is a very sad moment in America.
wm
May 10th, 2012
7:49 pm
God Sucks, take that..God does not exist..I am not going to Hell, it does not exist.
Yag Kosha
May 10th, 2012
7:55 pm
“Jesus said “What sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and never lift a finger to ease the burden.”
Luke 11:46″
Only a fool would believe that what Luke or any of the other gospel authors wrote means that Jesus actually said it.
M
May 10th, 2012
8:08 pm
Larry, if you have to “deal with” attraction to a “perverse and/or unnatural act” every day, well…how’s the weather in that closet of yours?
Mike
May 10th, 2012
8:12 pm
I don’t believe the President has any real convictions on this issue one way or the other. This is a distraction. This topic has pushed the bad economy off the front page. This was a great political maneuver except, it has probably pushed a lot of Evangelicals who were lukewarm on Romney into his camp. This will probably do more to help the Romney campaign than anything Romney could do or say.
CTap
May 10th, 2012
8:16 pm
I guess it’s the Bible beaters versus the pillow biters. Who really cares.
Burroughston Broch
May 10th, 2012
8:18 pm
The Mayor is just reading the tea leaves to determine when he should resolve his indecision for maximum political advantage.
Rick James
May 10th, 2012
8:19 pm
This is so sad..Two people of the same sex who love each and marry do nothing to obstruct my beliefs.Things that I dont believe in I just dont do but I dont condem those who choose otherwise.A gay marriage does nothing to breakdown the structure of my heterosexual one.To those who believe it is a sin my response is that everybody has a right to go to hell.I see nothing wrong with people loving each other.Ask the mayor how he feels about cronyism and the secret world of pay to play.Ask him how he feels about control of the airport being taken away from city hall a given to a non polictical non partian airport board so the mayor cant use it as an atm for his friends and supporters.I’ll bet he wont answer.
wm
May 10th, 2012
8:20 pm
There is no god, you idiots..you are all a freaks of the universe…
Dirty Dawg
May 10th, 2012
8:21 pm
Tell us Larry, who in hell asked you to be a pallbearer at the funeral of one of your ‘dearest friends’? Somehow I doubt they were aware of how you really felt about one of the ‘nicest men you ever new(sic)’. I must say you’ve really put some thought to the ‘act’ that you find so heinous…and after reading your description no wonder. Then again I expect that if one were to try, they could come up with a description of some sex act that you’ve likely engaged in sometime or another, that would be seen as just as repulsive..and if not a sex act, some other behavior that you’d prefer it remain ‘private’.
As for this being a ’sad day in America’, every day is a sad one with the knowledge that there are people like you that hate as you do. And as for he religious part of it, there’s so much BS in Leviticus how in hell can you, or anyone, know which ones God really pays attention to?
Mike
May 10th, 2012
8:25 pm
Purchased a stand that I had to put together and I was frustrated as I tried to fit the square nut in the round hole. It wasn’t manufactured to fit there, but for some stupid reason I kept trying. It was only when I gave into the design of the manufacturer that I was able to assemble it.
Just Like Rome (not Georgia)
May 10th, 2012
8:26 pm
John 8:32 Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
Romans 1:28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God Abandoned them to their foolish thinking to do things that should never be done.
Personally this is not a struggle, I think it is wrong, will always be wrong no matter what the president or anyone else says. This is not a civil rights issue. Persons who choose this lifestyle run across the full spectrum of society to include members of my own family. I do not hate nor despise them I just believe them to be wrong as wrong can be. For those that do not believe in God or the power of his Word you need not argue with me. I did not write it but I sure do believe it.
Coach
May 10th, 2012
8:27 pm
Marriage is a religious institution. The government should have absolutely no involvement in the process period. It is only used by them to exercise control through the tax code. Separation of church and state yet a religious institution is built in to taxes. The government involvement should be referenced by law as civil union not marriage, regardless of the gender of the two people. In that ,everyone should be treated equally. It is up to a religious establishment to determine who they will and won’t marry and not the government. It is the government’s prerogative to vote on who they will recognize as being in a civil union for legal purposes. Majority rules on that. In no way should that have anything to do with tax code in either case.
zeke
May 10th, 2012
8:27 pm
td, a slight shove and several guys holding down a slightly built fellow and administering a haircut while he called for help are same in your book….you need new book
truth spoken, if being gay is eventually linked to genetic issues, will you change your position?did you ask your sister did she choose to be gay….was she raised any differently than you?
mui caliente
May 10th, 2012
8:32 pm
Truth Spoken, frankly my dear we don’t give a damn what you think. You demonstrate that you are a bigot and a small minded fool. So be happy in your trailer park with your 5 unwashed kids and your fat husband who beats you and lays drunk every day.
Just Like Rome (not Georgia)
May 10th, 2012
8:33 pm
1Corinthians 7:15 if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so? A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances. God has called us to live in peace.
Gman
May 10th, 2012
8:34 pm
It’s a shame things never change in the south.
Now who’s up for buying liquor on Sunday?
>:)
Dave
May 10th, 2012
8:34 pm
What do the President’s or the Mayor’s personal or religious beliefs have to do with anything? Two black men (only one after yesterday) aren’t too sure that the rights they, now and too late, have should be offered to other folks? Last time I looked the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the federal and state constitutions weren’t based on personal beliefs. The reason they are there is to expressly say that what some people personally believe and impress on others, being in the majority, don’t pass muster when they harm the minority.
I understand the need for society to, and I hate to use the word in this context, evolve. But being an old, white, liberal guy, it really bothers me when black leaders grudgingly, if that, acknowledge that others may, just may, be deserving of the same constitutional protections the people that came before them fought for.
demetris spivey (real mane)
May 10th, 2012
8:35 pm
1st ill pray for all the nonbelievers(in christ)……of course homosexuality is wrong….its funny how people try to explain the fact that a man can be attracted to another man and thats “normal”….man is an animal…right? so why are there no gay dogs or fish or horses??????…maybe because its a choice?….o yeah, i’d only be judging if i said “she dosen’t need to be with him” thats judging…. two men or women being together is wrong thats not judging, that’s facts, like 1+1=2. here’s a little more, for all the “fools” that don’t believe in god(by the way “fool” in bible terms is some1 who dosen;t know about god….so i leave you with this question….what came first the chicken or the egg?….that’s right a chicken comes from an egg and vice-versa, so something had to create it!!!,,, last thing for now, if homosexuality is not wrong and its cool for the same sex to marry, why can’t they have children???…O yeah that’s right there the same sex!…eye love being right
Just Like Rome (not Georgia)
May 10th, 2012
8:37 pm
I find it interesting that one might be berated as a bigot or simple when one simply does not agree that same sex marriages, couples, etc are correct. It certainly won’t stop you if that’s what you feel you need to do so don’t get so angry when you don’t get a rubber stamp.
D man
May 10th, 2012
8:40 pm
Larry is correct. Liberals are sick people who are trying to change our great nation into Sodom and Gomorrah. How any Christian can vote for any Liberal shows me that there are Christians who need to think about their choices.
Dirty Dawg
May 10th, 2012
8:52 pm
Enter your comments here
luangtom
May 10th, 2012
8:53 pm
Everyone is ignoring the issues at hand. Such a diversion away from jobs, economy, deficit and national defense is a great end-run for both parties. Instead of letting voters know how these issues will be dealt with, we get 24/7 coverage of gay-rights. This should not be an issue to decide any political office in question at this time in our history. Get over it, America.
OldGrunt
May 10th, 2012
8:56 pm
The Mayor should not worry. This is such a critical issue facing our country that one may have to change their minds over and over again!
OH MY, OH MY!! It appears that President Obama is ‘EVOLVING’ again!
http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/wh-wont-call-repeal-doma/534831
Hard for him to put his mouth where the money was isn’t it?
Could care less Obama’s sexual preferences. Do care about his decision making abilities, and his ability to stick to his values once a decision is made. He has demonstrated throughout his presidency that he dithers, and muddles in coming to a decision. Not the best traits in a chief executive. Have a problem with the ‘world leader’ when he pulls his daughters in his decision making process — when he continues to claim that children should be left out of political debates.
Think that Obama would sell anyone down the river to save his own hide!
Interesting how Obama says one thing to get elected, and something different to get reelected! Does the man have a core?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJhQBZ1La0w
Oh — when will we hear that the Democratic National Convention will be moved to either San Francisco, LA, or Chicago? Bet that is working as we speak!
guy
May 10th, 2012
8:56 pm
If God meant there should have been same sex marriages please realize none of us would be here anyway.Go do your thing,people,but man cannot legalize what’s wrong in God’s sight.I think God made Adam and Eve,not Adam and Steve.
In this society,some think if man passes a law that they want and it makes them feel good, then it’s ok. WRONG!!!!
No man can trump God’s law!!!
Cutty
May 10th, 2012
8:59 pm
Hell there are rumors out there that Kasim was a homosexual. I have been hearing that for years.
M
May 10th, 2012
9:00 pm
guy:
Which god? There have been several.
Dirty Dawg
May 10th, 2012
9:01 pm
Hey d-man…this Liberal isn’t interested in turning our nation into anything but a society that lives by the teachings of Jesus…you know the ‘Golden Rule’ thing. And I’m damn sure not interested in your definition of Christianity…you know the one that bases their entire belief about homosexuality on a few versus from Leviticus. A book of the Bible that’s so full of holes that serious consideration should be given to throwing the whole damn thing out.
Fact
May 10th, 2012
9:10 pm
It’s simple. Put all the gay men on an island in the Pacific and put all the gay women on an island in the Atlantic and come back in 100 years or so and see if there is anyone left. There won’t be. It’s not the way it’s suppose to be. It’s not God’s way, he already made them, one man and one woman and that’s what makes the generations keep going.
Yeahwhatever
May 10th, 2012
9:12 pm
Next I guess we will let sisters and brothers marry as long as they are consenting adults right? Marriage was derived from the Bible just as a lot of our laws were….and if people are so anti chrristian now–which is why this world is going to hell–then why do they insist on this RELIGIOUS CEREMONY. Civil unions were good enough….its a Civil rights issue right? Confusion about Unequally yoke may have confused some about interracial marriage but the Bible is very clear on homosexuality. And there are Biblical scriptures that discuss releases for divorce including abusiveness……read it…..
guy
May 10th, 2012
9:12 pm
M There are many gods and selfish things we give in to that we’re not proud of(myself included) but there is only one true God!
Highly Evolved
May 10th, 2012
9:13 pm
The Gay coalition is shoving their sexual preferences down our throat. We all want the government out of our lives why should anyone care what Obama thinks about gay anything. If they want to be treated fairly stop shoving what they do behind closed doors and public bathrooms in our face no wants to know what you do. Remember when you force things on folks they generally don’t like it! Keep it to yourself, live and prosper!
gordon
May 10th, 2012
9:20 pm
I REALLY COULD CARE LESS WHO MARRY’S WHO TO EACH THERE OWN, THIS WORLD IS SO F’ED UP WHAT IS ONE MORE THING, MOVE ON PEOPLE AND DEAL WITH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M
May 10th, 2012
9:20 pm
How fortunate you were, guy, to be born at a time and place where you were lucky enough to worship the one true creator of the universe, and not his many impostors. Kudos, sir.
not me
May 10th, 2012
9:21 pm
If you are not for gay marriage then don’t marry someone of the same sex. It really is that simple. Whose business is it besides the marrying couple?
trina@atl
May 10th, 2012
9:21 pm
I have gay family members and no I do not believe they should get married. Sin is sin and no real Christian who believes the bible would ever think that being gay is ok. No I do not hate them or anyone for that matter but that does not mean I have to agree with their lifestyles.
old man
May 10th, 2012
9:23 pm
1. The President’s personal opinion is the same as mine.
2. Legally, it’s a state issue, not a federal one. I think Obama agrees with that, except perhaps to the extent state law seeks to deprive some of federal rights while allowing those rights to others, on the basis of sexual preference.
3. Obama has sworn to uphold the Constitution. It calls for separation of church and state. I am quite certain he would agree that as Chief Magistrate he could never allow anyone to force a church to perform a gay marriage ceremony against its will.
4. I think this is a big moment in the life of our country, and I am proud of President Obama.
5. I go to Church every Sunday, and I am a devout Christian.
M
May 10th, 2012
9:23 pm
“I don’t hate them, I just don’t want them to be able to do the things that I do. Also, they’ll burn in hell.”
MiltonMan
May 10th, 2012
9:29 pm
Reed is a joke. This is the best that the Democrats have to offer in this state??? Democrats in Georgia about as common as A&P stores these days.
old man
May 10th, 2012
9:30 pm
Highly Evolved:
So you are OK with heterosexuality being “shoved down your throat,” with all of the offensive crap we see on TV, but somehow you think any other kind of sex is wrongfully being “shoved down your throat.” If you want to be on a crusade, look first to the real problem: rampant, promiscuous promotion of OPPOSITE SEX casual and vulgar relationships. Gay relationships in the media are never portrayed with such lewd and suggestive language and images. Open your ears and your eyes.
old man
May 10th, 2012
9:31 pm
And what about OPPOSITE SEX people getting married 4 times and then running for office without any of the Tea Party fools saying anything. Complete hypocrisy.
M
May 10th, 2012
9:32 pm
http://www.iheartchaos.com/post/22806986381/the-time-when-same-sex-marriage-was-a-christian-rite
Mel
May 10th, 2012
9:34 pm
To all of you spouting that it’s unnatural, that it’s a sin, that it’s not God’s way… if you can tell me the day you chose to be straight, I’ll listen to you. I knew I was straight when I was 5. 5 YEARS OLD. Long before I knew what the words “heterosexual” or “homosexual” or “sex” meant. I didn’t choose to be straight anymore than I chose my skin color. You don’t choose to be gay. And I *guarantee* that nobody here can name ONE way in which it negatively affects your life for two gay people to get married. If it does, you have bigger issues going on in your life.
Jack From Cumming
May 10th, 2012
9:35 pm
This is a joke that the unemployment and economy are not being focused on. I am a conservative who believe gay marriage is fine but also should not be in the near discussion for American debatEs in terms of importance
Jack From Cumming
May 10th, 2012
9:36 pm
Do people not realize Obama and Reesd don’t care about this issue unless it means votes?
Jack From Cumming
May 10th, 2012
9:37 pm
Your proud of Obama? How about him canclling a both Carolina speech as gay marriage is being voted on?
Angry Voter
May 10th, 2012
9:40 pm
Who cares what Reed thinks? It’s not a City issue. He will never be governor or a national political figure. He doesn’t have any real following, like Mayor Jackson or even Mayor Franklin had in their times. What Reed may or may not think couldn’t be any less relevant. If he were for gay marriage, would it make any difference? Does his being against it have any impact?
Serious waste of reporting here. The story does nothing but inflate Reed’s ego by making him think being mayor of a medium sized city within a large metro area makes him somehow important or influential.
Fact
May 10th, 2012
9:43 pm
Agreed. This is about politics. The ONLY reason why the prez came out about this issue on gay marriage is because he is going to L.A. for a $40,000 a plate fundraiser. It’s purely politics, he wants votes and Hollywood is full of liberal democrats and money.
Jack From Cumming
May 10th, 2012
9:48 pm
Are liberals so naive to think this is some monumental stance and not politicians looking at the potential to get donor dollars and move attention from real national issues
mamaj
May 10th, 2012
9:52 pm
Don’t get it twisted people; it’s not the Christians versus the gay people on here. Everyone on this blog, including myself, is not a devout Christian, but are still entitled to an opinion that differs from yours. I don’t spend ANY time thinking about what gay people are doing in their bedrooms, nor heterosexuals either, for that matter, but when I am asked an opinion on their right to marry, my answer is an astounding NO! I would be open to ALL 50 states granting them the same benefits, rights and protection as married couples and calling it a civil union, but a marriage between two people of the same sex, whether male or female, does not fit my definition of marriage, and it ain’t got nothing to do with any religion. Yes, sometimes the rose by another name is just as sweet!
Calvin G. Sims, Sr.
May 10th, 2012
9:59 pm
Being Gay or being attracted to people of the same sex is no more a choice than my being straight and wanting to nail every attractive woman I see. There is actually nothing wrong with any of that.
However, if in eaither scenario, those feelings are acted upon, men having sex with men, women having sex with women, or me having sex with as many women as I am physically able to, that would be wrong. That would be a sin and an abomination before God.
I respect people having a choice only as far as they may go to make good choices.
Single and Lovin' it
May 10th, 2012
10:01 pm
Marriage… whatever. I discovered when I was about 25 or 26 that the whole notion of partnering with one person for the rest of your life (regardless of straight or gay) wasn’t the way I was wired. I think marriage is a societal thing as opposed to a biological “need.” There are too many hotties running around to choose and commit to just one. And I think the cheating statistics show I might not be the only one who feels this way.
M
May 10th, 2012
10:04 pm
Notice, Calvin, that YOU get to have sex in your little scenario. You just stop before you get to all that you’re “physically able to.”
So it’s false equivalence. Try again.
td
May 10th, 2012
10:11 pm
old man
May 10th, 2012
9:23 pm
You can go to church every Sunday and say you are a devout Christian all we want but one day I want to be there when you attempt to explain your views on homosexuality to God.
M
May 10th, 2012
10:12 pm
Maybe, td, you’d have to explain your obvious glee over another person’s suffering to God immediately afterward.
mamaj
May 10th, 2012
10:16 pm
Now here’s a question for you; do you vote for the man who acquiesced due to pressure from the masses breathing down his neck, even though you knew what his stance was 4 years ago, or do you vote for the man who clearly and unequivocally with his words and his posture is saying HELL NO, and I ain’t changing my opinion ? Seems to me that the president, at least even from the beginning, was willing to compromise, leaving marriage matters up to each state, and even going along with granting same sex couples full civil unions, but no, that wasn’t good enough. The man is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.
td
May 10th, 2012
10:17 pm
M
May 10th, 2012
10:12 pm
Who is suffering and why?
M
May 10th, 2012
10:18 pm
I was referring to your desire to be present when God reprimands someone else. Good Christian love, I suppose.
mamaj
May 10th, 2012
10:21 pm
@td
God already knows ‘Old Man”s views on homosexuality—-and God agrees.
Really?
May 10th, 2012
10:22 pm
Proof once more that all you need is to be BLACK to be MAYOR OF ATLANTA. Ability, skill or concern for the City is completely unnecessary.
td
May 10th, 2012
10:22 pm
M
May 10th, 2012
10:18 pm
According to my understanding, we will all be before God and each one of us will have to explain our actions in front of everyone that has ever lived. I know I personally have many things to explain and I just hope that I will be able to remain in heaven afterwords.
td
May 10th, 2012
10:25 pm
mamaj
May 10th, 2012
10:21 pm
Believe that if you choose too but I do not believe it and at least that is one issue I will not have to answer for one day.
M
May 10th, 2012
10:32 pm
God should have to explain why he keeps making gay babies, then.
OedipusTax
May 10th, 2012
10:39 pm
A relationship between a man and a woman blessed by God and acknowledged by law gets to have a name, and has had a name for thousands of years. The name is marriage.
I’m all for gays to unite legally and under their Higher Power, if they have one. That way, they can share property just as married people do. “Gay union” seems a suitable term. And if that union dissolves, they too can pay $295 an hour to some blood sucking lawyer to help divide the common assets, just as married people have to. Now there is some worthwhile equality!
Gays have evolved their own words, The word “gay” itself has been appropriated by and large by male homosexuals. I’m sure with all the intelligence of the homosexual community, they can derive THEIR word, if union isn’t considered appropriate, and whatever word that is, it should be recognized as equal under the law. How about “garriage?”
There, a single word. But “gay marriage” is an oxymoron, always will be, and no amount of protests, whining, and complaining will every change that God given meaning.
DannyX
May 10th, 2012
10:39 pm
What are your sins td?
You throw your Book at gay people. What can we throw at you?
M
May 10th, 2012
10:41 pm
Which verse in the bible is it, again, that says “And lo, ‘marriage’ shall be defined as…”?
I can wait if it takes you a while.
DannyX
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
““Gay union” seems a suitable term.”
The Episcopal church is fine calling it marriage. Who made your church king?
Christians changed the definition of marriage when they went against the word of Jesus by allowing divorce. Divorce used to be a big NO.
Grace
May 10th, 2012
10:48 pm
I’m gay, God made me this way, and God is good. It’s people who muck up what God wanted to teach us. It baffles and angers me that so many so-called religious people – black people – and all people who have historically been discriminated against for the same reasons used today, continue to dehumanize and brutalize gay people. And use religion and personal bias to excuse their blatantly bigoted “beliefs.” Gay people do not have the same civil rights as does any other citizen in this country. Gay people do not have civil rights – housing, military, employment. Soon we won’t be asking for civil rights. No more asking.
P
May 10th, 2012
10:57 pm
Let’s put the bible in context (something most Christians never do). There are 3 verses attributed to being anti-gay; 1Cor6:9-10 and 1Tim1:8-11, the first two religious scholars cannot be certain Paul was referring to gays or male prostitution, and Rom1:26-27. All three also mention adultery, liars, revelers, drunks in the same boat. And none mention anything about marriage as between only a man and a woman. By the way, if you are Christian and cite the teachings of Paul and the New Testament as your proof don’t even reference the Old Testament since Paul said it was null and void because Jesus died for our sins and the rose from the dead (ask your priest about that). You should also read 1Cor7:8-9 on what Paul’s thoughts on marriage were in general. Opps, when you actually read and study the WHOLE bible and not just versus it starts to paint a different picture then what Religion tries to tell us, of course that is why they refer to their followers as “sheep”!
Morons
May 10th, 2012
10:58 pm
OedipusTax – what a gawd-awful moron you are! hahahahahahahahaha
Double Standard
May 10th, 2012
11:13 pm
Interesting to me that Kasim Reed, a black man, can stand up and say that he does not support gay marriage – should I remind you, Sir, of the days that your people had to ride separate buses and use separate bathrooms? Remember those days, when you all cried for help and yelled “discrimination!” because you were treated differently? HOW IS THIS ANY DIFFERENT?
Student
May 10th, 2012
11:14 pm
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law.
I have learned a great deal from these posts and will try to share this knowledge
with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual
lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly
states it to be an abomination. … End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of
God’s Law and how to follow them.
When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a
pleasing odor for the Lord – Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They
claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus
21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and
female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A
friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not
Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?
I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2.
The passage clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated
to kill him myself?
A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an
abomination – Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I
don’t agree. Can you settle this? Are there ‘degrees’ of abomination?
Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a
defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my
vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair
around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27.
How should they die?
I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me
unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different
crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two
different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse
and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of
getting the whole town together to stone them? – Lev.24:10-16. Couldn’t we
just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people
who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
All of you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable
expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.
GAY IS NOT A CHOICE
May 10th, 2012
11:15 pm
For all you morons out there who believe and think gay is a choice, let me ask you a question: WHEN DID YOU CHOOSE TO BE STRAIGHT?
td
May 10th, 2012
11:20 pm
What rights are being violated by states saying that marriage is between and man and a woman? There is no rights being violated and the one think Obama said yesterday that I agree with is who can and can not get married is a states decision and the Federal government should stay out of it.
WRONG
May 10th, 2012
11:23 pm
TD, you do realize you live in the UNITED STATES, correct? Look up the definition of UNITED. How can we stand by our name if even our own states don’t stand united on issues like this, and of course many others. Leaving it up to the states only further segregates this country.
People
May 10th, 2012
11:28 pm
Get a grip, neighbors. Let’s find our commonalities instead of our differences. Of course we’re all different. We’re each complex and layered human beings. Can’t we stop trying to make it right and wrong, you vs. me, blah-blah-blah. We may not agree on religion or politics, but for the love of humanity – please let’s help one another and help ourselves to grow. Underneath it all we have the same values and want the same things. Do volunteer work, or something meaningful. Time is short. Change what you can. Start with yourself.
td
May 10th, 2012
11:41 pm
WRONG
May 10th, 2012
11:23 pm
Every state already has different laws about marriage. States have different age requirements. Some states have medical requirement before marriage. Some states say what degree of relationship a couple must be to marry.
States also have different laws on all sorts of issues. The age of consent is different in many different states, drinking laws are different and now in some states you can smoke pot and some states you go to jail for the same offense.
United States means we have some common areas that the Federal government handles for all the states (Defense, foreign policy…). Those are clearly defined in the Constitution. The rest of the laws are left up to the individual states as long as they do not infringe on Constitutional rights and protections. Marriage is not one of these rights or protections so it is left to the individual states and will remain so (as Obama correctly stated) unless the SCOTUS makes a judgement that it is a Federal matter or there is a Constitutional amendment to change the Constitution.
Mel
May 11th, 2012
12:13 am
WRONG, you are so right.
I have often wondered why the black community isn’t so accepting of homosexuals or gay marriage. They should know what discrimination feels like and agree to stand against it.
And so far, nobody has been able to give any explanations of how two people (of any sex) getting married negatively affects them. If what two other people do in their own lives affects your own marriage or your own belief system that much, neither were that strong to begin with.
President Obama, do the right thing. Make it legal everywhere.
Oblama
May 11th, 2012
12:54 am
Ignorance is rampant among the unbelievers…… God will judge you when the time comes and I pray you open your heart and eyes to the TRUTH. God gives you free will – use it wisely.
Oblama
May 11th, 2012
12:57 am
Mel – Sorry but Oblama may pick and choose the laws he wishes to uphold he has NO power to make laws – he’s not a dictator yet.
Oblama
May 11th, 2012
1:11 am
News Flash:: Opposing homosexual marriage does not make you a hater of homosexuals. Just like opposing marriage between humans and their pets does not make you a hater of pets. This election is about the economy, jobs and how to reduce this alarming multi trillion dollar Fed debt. All the rest is smoke and mirrors to distract us from what is most important for the survival of this country. As for comparing racial issues and sexual preference issues- sorry but they are completely different issues and comparing them is a sham.
Leslie
May 11th, 2012
1:18 am
I totally disagree as God destroyed the world because of homosexuality as this is an abomination. God created men to love, care, honor and respect women as homosexuality is forbidden as it is a cursed world. People expect God to accept everything they do but when they change his laws and show him no respect, or disobedience his way will prevail or humankind will pay an expensive yet deadly price. Although I have nothing against homosexuals it is the one law that should be upheld regardless of all temptations. As we live in a world that worships the love of money, materials and lasciviousness over humankind and forgot about what it means to show compassion for the next person less fortunate. Jesus came to this world as a sacrifice to God that humans are obedient to his words and law but approving gay marriage contradicts the reasons for his death. Again, its an abomination
Tiessa
May 11th, 2012
1:22 am
Although President Barack Obama feels that supporting gay-marriage is an awakening for an American dream waiting to happen, I disagree as this is a total abomination that rebukes the sacrifices of God the creator of all living and mortal things. In the beginning which should never be forgotten, God created man to love, care and honor a woman. After his destruction of the world was due to homosexuality it is a lesson to mankind to never tempt his ways in the future. Its never to late for God to destroy the world as the end is nearer than most people imagine. Homosexuality is one situation that does not need to be released as it is like unleashing Satan from the pit. You never know what God will do to this world as he watches in both approval and disapproval of all people rich, poor, middle or disabled. As this world is way past the honor and love of God because people worship fame, money, lasciviousness and put materials before his words or law. No man regardless of wealth, degree, or fame is above God as we are constantly lead to believe these things.
Tiessa
May 11th, 2012
1:32 am
No one has the right to compare the discrimination of African Americans to the unethical actions of being homosexual as these are two different situations as the children of Israel underwent racial injustices. When it comes to homosexuality it is forbidden as a law and rule of God (Jehovah) no one has the authority to break, disobey or dishonor his laws or rules.
For the wages of all sins is death, and its sad I had a male cousin to be homosexual he died due to AIDS. He fought a tough battle with the disease that claimed his young twenty-eight year-old life and later confessed that he was gay, yet was a married man with child. So matter what the world wants to create the world has a creator God and his first destruction of his world was because of seeing homosexuality, something that he wholeheartedly disapproves.
Miamis
May 11th, 2012
1:38 am
God is already merciful with the United States as he spared people from droughts, floods, tornadoes, earth-quakes, oil leakage, wars now we are tempting him as we are defying his laws and rules as allowing gay-marriage as law of man. What is written in stone and blood should not be removed as God’s law will never change therefore its not lawful that man breaks it.
Shells
May 11th, 2012
2:09 am
There is no rational reason to consider homosexuality “evil” or “disordered” or “unnatural”. It harms no one, it produces love and happiness, and it’s found in over 100 other species. It’s obviously not a choice, either – I know I never chose to be straight, but if I had had a choice, it would be stupid to choose the choice that shrinks your dating pool and makes so many people hate you.
The only objection to homosexuality stems from religion, which is every bit as irrational as the stone-age moral system it has codified into ritual and superstition. When people tell me how Christianity is all about love, I have to chuckle a little bit before remembering how much damage and hate it creates every day without any reason, evidence, or logic behind it or its moral proclamations whatsoever.
larry
May 11th, 2012
5:26 am
talk about not standing for anything at all – the mayor is a coward -he needs to do some more thinking after all this time- come on Mayor Reid-time to become a man one way or the other-or play it safe and admit that you go both ways and come on out of that dirty little closet that you are cowering in lol
Madison
May 11th, 2012
7:52 am
Let’s go over a few “sins” that, in my experience, does much more to damage the American family. Gluttony and Substance abuse (alcoholism): Remember the “your body is a temple?” Obesity and judgment impairing consumption wrecks havoc on the family. Just drop in to your local family court to watch.
Adultry: Studies show that the fallout from infidelity is one of the most life altering events for families, even adult children of cheaters suffer emotional distress for the rest of their lives.
We love to vilify public figures who commit these sins, but I suspect anti-gay sermons FAR outnumber anti adultery sermons in the fundamentalist churches of our nation.
One other interesting fact, the religion most closely associated with the conservative movement is represented in Georgia prisons at a rate twice that of its representation in the general population.
Tom
May 11th, 2012
8:14 am
Here’s the real issue regarding these “marriage amendments”…..
They’re not within the proper and intended purpose and scope of a constitution. Our form of government uses laws to restrict activities and constitutions to prevent said laws from infringing upon the rights of individuals or classes of individuals.
The popularity of these so-called “marriage amendments” is the attempt to change the rules when playing by the rules hasn’t been working. Anti-gay marriage groups haven’t been able to draft legislation banning gay marriage that wasn’t highly-susceptible to constitutional challenges on the basis of being discriminatory (unconstitutional). So…what do they do? They work to change the “rules”…the constitution.
It’s like when your little brother got tired of losing to you in Monopoly. What did he do?…well…after crying and complaining to your mom and all the other standard stuff? he announced that he was changing the rules.
These “marriage amendments” are improper and, like other various amendments to constitutions throughout U.S. history (both at the state and U.S. level) which tried to do the job of laws rather than the job of the protection of rights, will all eventually be repealed.
Don't Tread
May 11th, 2012
8:29 am
Sounds like he needs to put his “beliefs” aside and toe the party line.
joe725
May 11th, 2012
8:44 am
Agree with ND–can we talk about real issues–getting out of Afghanistan quickly before we spend another 180 Billion–personal freedom–let them do what they want–we won’t “catch” anything from them marrying–
Dorothy
May 11th, 2012
8:56 am
Kasim, come out, come out wherever you are.
Kasim? Is he a Muslim?
td
May 11th, 2012
9:11 am
Tom
May 11th, 2012
8:14 am
Good argument but it is totally wrong. Show us where being able to get married is a protected right in the Constitution? If it is not a protected right then all of your assumptions are fact less.
clyde
May 11th, 2012
9:12 am
Wrestle away,Kasim.
When gay marriage becomes legal my wife and I are contemplating divorce and then just living together.
Tom
May 11th, 2012
9:15 am
td
You’re off on a tangent. There is no right to marry in the Constitution (U.S. or other, afaik), but that’s not the point. Constitutions are intended to (in part) restrict the government from instituting any law that infringes upon the rights of life, liberty, property, etc, of any person or class of persons.
Not every right you have is specifically enumerated in any constitution.
Rick James
May 11th, 2012
9:19 am
@Cutty
Hell there are rumors out there that Kasim was a homosexual. I have been hearing that for years
——————————————————————————————————————————
Me too Cutty..
Lynn
May 11th, 2012
9:20 am
@Truth Spoken: it must be very hard to be your sister.
Richard
May 11th, 2012
9:21 am
I love that phrase: “While I am still wrestling with my own personal beliefs on the issue of marriage…”
Mr. Reed has missed the point. First of all, I’m sure his personal feelings on marriage aren’t in question. Everyone has their personal beliefs, and by the time we’re around 30-years-old, they don’t change much.
Mr. Reed needs to realize that this is about one question: Can a free society that is supposed to apply laws to everyone in the same manner justify restricting legal protections to a specific group of people based on religious views?
Intown
May 11th, 2012
9:24 am
Dear Mayor Reed: Come out on the right side of history. Support the civil rights of gay human beings. You’ll never win state-wide office anywway, no matter how careful you’ve been to chart a bipartisan course in your career. You’ve got a “D” after your name.
td
May 11th, 2012
9:29 am
Tom
May 11th, 2012
9:15 am
“government from instituting any law that infringes upon the rights of life, liberty, property, etc,”
Really, then please explain how the Federal government and state governments allows abortions? You are talking about being able to feel good about gays being married totally protected by the declaration of independence but on the other hand our government is sanctioning the taking of human life is not protected.
You see the holes in your argument?
td
May 11th, 2012
9:30 am
Intown
May 11th, 2012
9:24 am
Please show us where the marriage is a civil right or even a right?
Morning Reads: Friday 5/11/12 Edition — Peach Pundit
May 11th, 2012
9:32 am
[...] Kasim Reed doesn’t appear ready to evolve on gay marriage. [...]
Tom
May 11th, 2012
9:32 am
By the way, even with Loving v. Virginia nullifying the remaining miscegenation laws in 16 states in 1967, it wasn’t until 1998 and 2000 that the States of South Carolina and Alabama, respectively, officially removed the anti-miscegenation language from their constitutions.
td
May 11th, 2012
9:33 am
Richard
May 11th, 2012
9:21 am
We do not protect the rights of the unborn and allow the murder of millions of unborn children each and every year.
Where is marriage a right for anyone?
Tom
May 11th, 2012
9:35 am
btw, from the United States Supreme Court’s ruling on Loving v. Virginia 388 U.S. 1 (1967)….
“Marriage is one of the ‘basic civil rights of man,’ fundamental to our very existence and survival…. To deny this fundamental freedom on so unsupportable a basis as the racial classifications embodied in these statutes, classifications so directly subversive of the principle of equality at the heart of the Fourteenth Amendment, is surely to deprive all the State’s citizens of liberty without due process of law. The Fourteenth Amendment requires that the freedom of choice to marry not be restricted by invidious racial discriminations. Under our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or not to marry, a person of another race resides with the individual and cannot be infringed by the State.”
Taipei Personality
May 11th, 2012
9:37 am
Coach at 8:27 – Exactly!
double
May 11th, 2012
9:38 am
Not all divorces are an abomination-Not so with homosexuality-All depend on how much you tithe-You can judge a man by how he treats his dog.
Jerome Horwitz
May 11th, 2012
9:39 am
I believe the Bible also calls for avoiding pork and shellfish because they are unclean and the stoning of adulterers. So if you believe in what the Bible says better stay away from that BBQ joint and Red Lobster. And maybe you should stand in line to toss a few rocks newt’s way. Can’t pick and choose – either you believe or you don’t. Bunch of BS hypocites who use the Bible to justify being a BIGOT. You people act like stupidity, arrogance, and ignorance are virtues.
td
May 11th, 2012
9:40 am
Tom
May 11th, 2012
9:35 am
Race is protected in the Constitution by the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments. Where is gay marriage protected? This SCOTUS is not going to stretch and pull same sex rights into a racial decision as precedents.
Tom
May 11th, 2012
9:44 am
Famous last words, td…..famous last words.
Where is any marriage protected?
Again, I will stand by my prediction that all of these “marriage amendments” will be repealed/overturned within my remaining lifetime (and I’m in my 50’s).
willmentor
May 11th, 2012
9:47 am
Why are we using government to legislate this? It is shameful. There are to many other problems that we have in this country. I belive that homosexuality is wrong. If they want to be together in a common union, call it that and not marriage. That is something that belongs to heterosexual couple. We have lost the meaning of he word if gay and lesbian couples can use this word as a bond. It is sad that we have to make a point to understand the homosexual community but at the same time they don’t want to respect us and keep marriage between a man a woman. I don’t go around having staying in parties because I’m heterosexual. All of this attention for what? If you want to be homosexual – fine be that way. Just don’t look to me for approval because I most certainly don’t look for anyone elses’ in my marriage.
look or you might just miss it
May 11th, 2012
9:48 am
all these post remind me of this joke (by the way I am horrible at jokes so I know I will butcher this one)
A guy is out fishing one morning and all of a sudden his boat starts taking on water. A fellow fisherman comes by and asks the guy is he needs any help. The fisherman replied, no thank you God will provide. A few minutes later a ferry boat passes by and offers assistance but once again the fisherman replies, no thank you God will provide. An hour goes by and the boat is taking on more and more water when a rescue helicopter comes by to offer assistance and to their amazement, the fisherman once again refuses the help. Eventually the boat sinks and the fisherman drowns. The fisherman wakes up in a daze and is face to face with God and before God can speak the fisherman begins to question where he was in his time of need. God quickly replies that he tried sending a fisherman, a ferry and a helicopter for help but he refused them all. Don’t let religion blind you…..
willmentor
May 11th, 2012
9:51 am
@ Jerome Horwitz . It is evident you stopped reading the Bible too early. God said whatever he created was clean. That was put to rest a long time ago. You want to talk about ignorance…Ha! I laugh as you look in the mirror to find out what true ignorance is.
willmentor
May 11th, 2012
9:57 am
Thank you North Carolina for passing Ammendment 1. Follow the example Georgia. We don’t hate you just because we don’t agree with you LGBT.
Aaron Burr V Mexico
May 11th, 2012
10:04 am
Truly Dorkish talking about ‘litmus tests’ for the Democratic party is also hilarious.
The South = TRASH
May 11th, 2012
10:13 am
@ willmentor – this is exactly why people are leaving GA and NC by the numbers. Atlanta is no longer the desired city it was 6-7-8 years ago. While being gay is NOT a choice, choosing where you reside IS a choice, and why live surrounded by backwards redne*ks, ghetto blacks, crooked pastors, corrupt police departments, closet mayors, etc etc etc. when there are far better places to live, like California and Colorado, where the state actually provides equal protection because they recognize that gay is NOT a choice and they choose to view you as an equal citizen. Some of the states in the south don’t even have provisions regarding hate crimes – talk about backwards. The best decision I ever made in my life was leaving that dump of a city, Atlanta. Good riddance!
Listen up!
May 11th, 2012
10:14 am
There are two aspects of some marriages: spiritual (religious) and legal. When I married my first husband, we were in a church amongst friends family and God taking our vows. In the eyes of the church and God, we were married. However, according to the state, we were not married until the minister signed the license and returned it to the clerk’s office. Its the legal aspect of this that is the debate. Atheist marry every day and they have absolutely no belief in God whatsoever! But their union is legal and recognized. Let’s just get this out of the way. I am a Christian trying to work out my own soul’s salvation! While it is our mission to tell others about Christ, we are not Christ and we can’t save anyone nor send anyone to hell. I believe the act of homosexuality is biblically wrong. However, I also believe that these things in and of themselves is not going to condemn anyone. David was considered a man after God’s own heart, but guess what? He committed adultery with Bathsheba, got her pregnant, tried to get her husband to sleep with her to hide the fact that he was the father and then when that didn’t work, he sent the man to the frontlines of war and he was killed. God punished David, but continued to bless him throughout his life. Thank God we humans don’t decide because we all live in glass houses! I digress…two men or two women marrying is not going to diminish my covenant with God and my husband any more than an atheist. Before anyone jumps on the fact that I said first husband, let me clarify. My first husband didn’t take his covenant as seriously as I did and decided to explore other women. The bible does recognize a divorce where adultery is involved. I am now happily married to a man that does take it seriously and we been moving along quite nicely for almost 11 years now!
D man
May 11th, 2012
10:28 am
Wow, the president and media have done a great job diverting away from the real issues that we are all facing today like the unemployment rate being higher than it was 3 years ago and the economy being on the brink of inflation and the horrible healthcare bill that will tax us all in to poverty along with the unbelievable amount of debt we have accumulated over the last three years because of foolish overspending.
willmentor
May 11th, 2012
10:33 am
@The South = TRASH Well I find it rather humerous for you to talk about hate crimes and all those hateful judgemental words come out in your post. Yes, where you live is a choice and I still belive that being homosexual is a choice as well. We are not completly like the animals in the wild that are function off of instinc. We are different in that we are able to make choices that impact our lives. You made a choice to leave Atlanta and your sexual preference. That is perfectly fine. I’m happy that you found a place to live. My question to you is why marriage? Why are homosexuals using a word that heterosexuals use?
Now you chose to use those words to describe all the people in Atlanta or even the south for that matter. So you won’t mind if people use those same hateful words to describe you. Awesome hypocrite….:) Also if you look up the word preference…you will find the word choice in there as well. Good luck with your sexual preference…..;)
Listen up!
May 11th, 2012
10:44 am
D Man, according to my research, the unemployment rate in July 2009 was 9.4 percent. The president had been in office for barely 6 months. Surely, you can’t believe that it would have instantaneously stopped the day he took office.
Jerome Horwitz
May 11th, 2012
10:46 am
willmentor – you’re right I don’t read as much as I should, but, you’re still an ignorant bigot justifying you narrow ideas behind religion. I will gladly meet my maker and tell him how I supported the same rights for all his children.
willmentor
May 11th, 2012
10:54 am
@Jerome Horwitz So in those rights that you are speaking of. Ya know the ones that are for all God’s children. Did it in any way say that you should call me an ignorant bigot. Ya, know I have a friend that’s homosexual and we get along great. I did explain my understanding of his choice and he respected that and I did the same. I do want you to know that it is fine with me that you chose to be gay. That’s totally up to you. Do what you will but don’t expect me to like it because you do. Don’t expect me to accept it because you do. That’s what makes us who we are. We are allowed to make our own choices and as long as you can stand on your own choice fine. Don’t worry about who approves of it. Including me.
willmentor
May 11th, 2012
11:04 am
@Jerome Horwitz You say I justify my ideas behind religion. What do you base yours on?
Aaron Burr V Mexico
May 11th, 2012
11:15 am
@WillSellSelfForFox – I base mine on how much Contards like it. Seriously, there is no easier moral compass than how much hateful disgusting people like you like it or not.
Have a nice day.
GAY IS NOT A CHOICE
May 11th, 2012
11:54 am
@willmentor – WHEN DID YOU “CHOOSE” TO BE STRAIGHT?
Ignorant
May 11th, 2012
11:56 am
@willmentor – You are the epitome of the uneducated, ignorant, ugly American.
willmentor
May 11th, 2012
1:17 pm
@GAY IS NOT A CHOICE Well if you must know that was a choice I made as I grew up.
@Ignorant if that’s what you wanna call yourself. Thanks for calling me American. All of the other stuff you can keep. Why do you resort to name calling because I don’t agree with you. That’s no way to get acceptance.
old man
May 11th, 2012
1:36 pm
@willmentor
Now I’m confused. You CHOSE to be straight? So are you saying we are all born with no sexual identity, and we all must choose? OK, so if God has no preference (you admit he creates us with no sexual identity, so I have to assume he does not care), then why is your “choice” protected by laws, and someone else’s not? Just because you write the rules and you get your way?
old man
May 11th, 2012
1:37 pm
Did Jesus tell us that when we had to choose, we must all choose heterosexuality? I missed that in my new testament. Are we required to choose? If we elect not to, does that mean we can never have sex, or we can have sex with either gender? Help me out here.
Aaron Burr V Mexico
May 11th, 2012
3:05 pm
@Willfully Oblivious – I don’t want to gain your acceptance.
The intolerant deserve no tolerance whatsoever.
Fact
May 11th, 2012
3:37 pm
For those mocking the Bible and trying to use New Testament against the Old Testament. First, there is no conflict, what God said in the Old Testament(Leviticus 18:22 & Leviticus 20:13), he said in the New Testament,(I Corinthian 6:9,10). Remember, he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, for their sins. Now that we have Jesus as our Savior, we have a chance before we face the same fate as they did.
P.S. you either believe in the Bible or you don’t, just like you either believe in Jesus as the Son of God or you don’t, there is no fence sitting here.
Just the Facts
May 11th, 2012
4:08 pm
The fact of the matter is that everyone has free will to do as one desires within the Laws of the Land. Therefore, I fully “respect” others choices, views and opinions, even when I don’t agree or see things the same way. While I am a Christian who believes in God, I am also not sinless and have my own faults and shortcomings like ALL other humans, so I’m in no place to judge anyone else. However, regardless of whether you believe there’s a God or not, let’s ALL put aside any religious, political or other beliefs or biases and look at the facts. If we all honestly did and envisioned life hundreds of years ago for our ancestors, we all would likely conclude that it apparently was NOT intended for two humans (or animals or other species) of the same gender to be together or to marry. Why, you ask? Because, it has always taken the natural biological composition of “males” and “females” to procreate.
Otherwise, it it were intended for same sexes to be together, life would have become extinct hundreds or thousands of years ago. While there are advances in technology and modern medicine today, such did not exist back then. Therefore, the great-great-great-great grandparents of persons who believe they’re entitled to be together today would have never been born if their ancestors did not connect with the opposite gender and procreate.