I kind of like most of you

Note: Please detect the humor and light heartedness in this.

An episode of South Park hit upon the distinction between tolerance and acceptance. Basically, tolerance means you can still be pissed off at someone. Acceptance means you have to forgive and forget. A co-worker of mine is proud of this because he feels Churches preach acceptance of homosexuality when they should be preaching tolerance of homosexuality.

I’m completely tolerant of his ignorance.

His view makes sense, because after all didn’t Jesus say “Don’t genuinely love each other. Fake it for a while. Hell, I don’t love any of you, I’m just trying to please my Dad. By the way, forgive people, but not fags.” Isn’t that the heart and soul of Christianity? With the number of Christians who abuse the Bible, no wonder many of them seem fake.

Have you noticed how many religions out there are based on the Old Testament? People run around quoting it as though the New Testament isn’t even part of the Bible or is some fancy footnote. How come there aren’t more religions based solely on the New Testament?

I understand why many people dislike organized religion, especially when it is used to promote naive, narrow, and discriminating views. For instance, at lunch today someone said “it upset me when the Episcopal Church started ordaining homosexual priests.”

First, grow up.

Second, there always have been and will be homosexuals. Make friends with a few, they’re usually pretty awesome people. Think of it as a confidence booster when you get hit on… “I’m so attractive and funny, everyone wants me!”

Third, to me homosexuality is no worse than any other sin a person can commit. People sin. Priests sin. Why does a priest have to be heterosexual? What is the difference between an abstinent heterosexual priest and an abstinent homosexual priest? Neither are getting any.

Fourth, most homosexual people I know are more loving, kind, and considerate than most Christians I know.

Fifth, why do people treat homosexuality with the same contempt we hold for Hitler burning Jews in gas ovens? There is a big difference. I laugh when I meet homophobics, because several studies have shown that the more homo-phobic you are, the more arousing you find homosexual encounters. Thank God for Irony!

Sixth, it isn’t always “a persons choice.” Don’t be daft. Nothing is every that simple of an explanation. If a person can be born heterosexual, why can’t a person be born homosexual? Same applies for choice.

Finally, I’m not saying you have to fully accept every person you encounter. But the Bible definitely says to try whole-heartedly, with all of your energy, to love everyone. It does not say “Forget global warming, nuclear proliferation, and genocides. There are gay people around.”