Since the discussion has steered from the original political based topid, i took the liberty of splitting the thread. Sorry for any confusion this might have brought

CalculatedChaos
I'm on my way to bed here, but I just wanted to say congratulations man. I know it's a wonderful feeling to be back on your feet again after being out of work for awhile - and the hours may be demanding at first, but things will steadily improve as long as you hold tight and have faith.

Hang in there, Roger - you have our support.

Dagdamor
First of all, Jehovah was not a person - Jehovah is one of the many names for God. Second of all, yes Jesus was unmarried. He's also the son of God. I don't think the argument "He never married, how could He understand?" is going to hold up to that.

The Bible does teach tolerance. We're all God's people. You, me, everyone on this forum, everyone under the sun. That includes gay people. That's why I'm completely tolerant of them. But am I tolerant of their lifestyle? No. God detests the sin, not the person, and wants every wayward son or daughter to return to Him. Once again, don't confuse my opposition to homosexuality with discrimination. I'm being fair and tolerant here.

I do.

Leviticus 18:22 - "Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."

Romans 1:26-27 - "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."

So you see, it's pretty clear. Don't take these verses the wrong way though - God doesn't hate gay people. God hates the sin - and to exist with God, you can't be willingly living in sin. You have to repent, turn away from your sin, and put your faith in Christ.

Been super busy this week, so I apologise for not being around.

I started TWO jobs on Monday! (one of which is Barnes & Noble- a bookstore)

Today and tommorow I am working 12 hours (4 at B&N, 8 at the fulltime) so I will be pretty darned beat. One benefit I'm already taking advantage of at the bookstore is being able to borrow hardcovers for two weeks to take home and read so I'll never run out of material.

Plus I found a really badass Lisa bookmark on a display today. It's got a ambigram (which means it can be read both rightside-up and upside-down) of the name Lisa and two small pictures of her playing her sax and carrying a huge pile of books. I'll snap a picture with my cellphone here soon and try to upload it.

*tosses hat into the ring*

Here's my take: marriage is an outdated, archaic ceremony with few real repercussions in today's society. Take, for example, the recent (well, not so much anymore) divorce trends. If marriage is such a sacred institution, then why is it so easy to escape?

Personally, a commitment is a commitment no matter who authorizes it. It is up to you and the person who you make it with to uphold what you agree to, because, in the end, you are the only ones who have any say in the matter and can make it work.

I can only argue: if it makes them happy, what right does the government have to deny it?

I respect your opinion on the matter, GH. You are perfectly within your rights to believe and practice whatever you choose. It won't impact me in the end.

Casper

This is what that protest was about IIRC; not to allow gays to make pompous marriage ceremonies but to give them social rights of married people. After all, if you need a ceremony, you always can find a special church (with gay priest, haha) and make everything there. About the Bible - hmm, yes I'm not a Christian, but know a bit about that book. I remember many places where it teaches us to be kind and tolerant, and help even our enemies, not to mention people with different gospels or beliefs. But I don't remember a single place where it directly says that homosexuality is wrong - IIRC, even Jehovah and Jesus were both unmarried, no? And the whole world keeps being amazed at Catholic priests' unpleasant stories.

Ok been listening to quite a lot of music in the last weeks or so, to put me back into a positive frame of mind.

Some of the stuff is going back to the "good old days" when i used to enjoy myself gaming.

Some may remember the soundtrack to Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. The 80s had some shockingly poor music, but there was some great examples of catchy tracks too, for that reason, GTA had an extremely awesome collection of tracks, so much so i have the radio stations in MP3 format and somettimes listen to them in the car.


This is a track i have always liked, and it appears on the "Flash FM" station in GTA.

The Outfield - Your Love

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=78pQOkLTdFo

Josie's on a vacation far away
Come around and talk it over
So many things that I wanna say
You know I like my girls a little bit older
I just wanna use your love tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight

I ain't got many friends left to talk to
No one's around when I'm in trouble
You know I'd do anything for you
Stay the night but keep it undercover
I just wanna use your love tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight

Trying to stop my hands from shakin'
Somethin' in my mind's not makin' sense
It's been a while since we were all alone
I can't hide the way I'm feelin'

As you leave me please would you close the door
And don't forget what I told you
Just 'cause you're right - that don't mean I'm wrong
Another shoulder to cry upon
I just wanna use your love tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight

Yeah

I just wanna use your love tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight
I just wanna use your love tonight
I don't wanna lose your love tonight

(Lose your love)
(Lose your love)
(Lose your love)
Lose your Love

Oh I dont wanna Lose (Your Love tonight)
I don't wanna
I don't wanna
I don't wanna lose (your love tonight)
Your Love (Tonight)

I love the detail on the train Its amazingly realistic and in terrific perspective on the tracks.

Not much to comment (I'm both ill and tired ) but I really liked this picture, very good.

Heh. Here's some trivia for you. Tina is Terra's Japanese name in Final Fantasy VI. (It was changed to Terra in the english localisation due to Tina being a common name in the west)

I kinda agree with GH about the gay marrage thing, I think you need to see a different perspective to it;

Marrage is a whole hearted, full on religious ceremony that has been passed on from generation to generation and has become so normal that, even athiests get married. The way it seems to me, christianity isnt completely fond of homosexuality, and therefore wont marry two gay people. And I dont think its fair to force a religion thats survived two thousand years to change its rules 'or else'.

I personaly think there should be two kinds of marrage... kinda a religious one and non-religious one, both of which comply with the system; i.e. the bonding of partners. That way, gay marrage is possible and wont upset the religions.

As for gay-religious people, maybe thats another topic.