Mizzou's Michael Sam comes out

[Chicageaux]

My apologies! I was addressing Nuordr and not you, I don't know why it changed the quote to your name, but I fixed it so it didn't look like I was addressing you. I was just agreeing with your post before mine, that there's a disconnect and the only way it will be more understood is the more people take a stand and say, "This is what I'm going through, but it makes me no less normal than you."

[Gothamite]

Cool - thanks!

[infrared41]

A few days ago, D_G Now said this place is disappointing. At the time, I thought he was being a bit melodramatic. After reading some of the out and out stupidity posted in this thread, I totally get what he meant. Some of you guys make make people like Jerry Falwell look positively enlightened by comparison.

"Sometimes you guys are so disappointing." Indeed.

[PoppersPop]

I've been reading similar threads on other forums and let me tell you, this board is looking a lot better than others.

[nuordr]

People can always change!

Nuorder, you have to realize where people might find that statement offensive and take issue with it. The fact is, people can't change. In that sense are you saying that tomorrow you might wake up and be homosexual? The fact is it's part of who they are just like you're heterosexual. They're no different from you and me except they look at different porn . Unfortunately, there's people in society who don't understand that and they make people ashamed for not "changing," but thankfully it's changing.

As Gothamite just pointed out and by some of the comments from the other side here, there is still a disconnect and people don't understand. Hell, I'm understanding but as understanding and accepting as I am, I will never understand what a gay person has gone through and I don't want to act I'm in their shoes. But the more accepting we are, the easier it becomes for them and that's the most important thing.People can always change!

Don't you think I may take it offensive on how people have been bashing religion? If your gonna be upset about what I say, then don't be shocked when you upset people that don't feel the way you do. I mean come on, I have been told that I should die and make the world a better place (if that is not a hate statement, I don't know what is). But to put context to my words, here is another event that occured in my life and there are a few more that may blow your socks off.

Believe it or not folks, I have a few gay friends (they respect my views and I respect theirs) and one of them told me several years ago that he could make the straightest man in the world be gay for one night? Everytime he would say it, I would laugh it off, but that all changed when I busted him with one of my closest friends one night. I was utterly shocked and in disbelief as my friend was a lady's man and he was constantly hooking up with several different women every week in our heyday. But guess what, he was not gay (he called it an experiment) and as of today he has been married for 11 years and has three beautiful children with his wife.

[DS729]

I sincerely hope that people like Nuodr end up having gay children, or find out that whoever they love most in the world is gay, and find out how silly their beliefs are. Those "beliefs" are built on FEAR and nothing else.

Frankly Nuodr, this world would be a better place for everyone if you and those who share your beliefs were not a part of it. You have no idea how you and people like you hurt and divide people, and quite frankly I find a little pity in side me for you, since you live in so much fear. I think it's great that because of people like Michael Sam and others, we're getting to a point where within a few generations, people who's views are like yours will have mostly died off, and your kids may be a little more enlightened than their parents and grandparents.

You do your entire religion a disservice when you post thigns like you do here, because there are plenty of christians who don't have as much fear and hate in them, but unfortunately people like you cast a negative light on everyone. I live in a very diverse part of the city, and do a ton of volunteer work with inner-city high school kids. I see the challenges that they face every day, most of which people like you could never fathom. It's a shame that because of people like you, in addition to dealing with the things that they deal with, 1 in 10 of them also feels the need to hide who they are because of the backlash they'll get from their "christian brothers".

It's sad that none of this message board debating matters, nothing that is shown on the news matters, no argument that any reasonable person can put forward will matter, and the only way to change opinions like yours is to wait for you and your kind to die off.

Really? I try my best to stay out of threads like these, but this is probably just another chance for me to get ridiculed because I can't take it any more.

I find it very hypocritical you're wishing someone to die or his kids to be gay, while also calling him out for being not willing to accept other groups. While the rest of your post IMO, really slapped nourdr in the face, there's no need for that stuff in here.

While the Bible may disapprove of homosexuality, but the underlying theme of God and Jesus Christ and Christianity as a whole is to be accepting of all kinds of people, no matter what their opinion, morals, or beliefs are. While this is applied to gay people, There's no need to wish him to die just for his personal opinions, because they honestly aren't worth that, throughout most of human history, we've seen lots of genocides and wars against groups for there certain beliefs, right in our opinion or not. And nowadays society is seeming to be growing out of that mold, or at least making baby-steps towards it. You wanting someone to die over "unaccepting beliefs out of fear" wouldn't move anything forward. Your personal attacks don't do anything but exaggerate your points.

[Braden]

"I have gay friends, so when I use my religion as an excuse for my narrow-mindedness it means it's okay. I just have to do it behind their backs."

Works every time.

[BBTV]

I sincerely hope that people like Nuodr end up having gay children, or find out that whoever they love most in the world is gay, and find out how silly their beliefs are. Those "beliefs" are built on FEAR and nothing else.

Frankly Nuodr, this world would be a better place for everyone if you and those who share your beliefs were not a part of it. You have no idea how you and people like you hurt and divide people, and quite frankly I find a little pity in side me for you, since you live in so much fear. I think it's great that because of people like Michael Sam and others, we're getting to a point where within a few generations, people who's views are like yours will have mostly died off, and your kids may be a little more enlightened than their parents and grandparents.

You do your entire religion a disservice when you post thigns like you do here, because there are plenty of christians who don't have as much fear and hate in them, but unfortunately people like you cast a negative light on everyone. I live in a very diverse part of the city, and do a ton of volunteer work with inner-city high school kids. I see the challenges that they face every day, most of which people like you could never fathom. It's a shame that because of people like you, in addition to dealing with the things that they deal with, 1 in 10 of them also feels the need to hide who they are because of the backlash they'll get from their "christian brothers".

It's sad that none of this message board debating matters, nothing that is shown on the news matters, no argument that any reasonable person can put forward will matter, and the only way to change opinions like yours is to wait for you and your kind to die off.

Really? I try my best to stay out of threads like these, but this is probably just another chance for me to get ridiculed because I can't take it any more.

I find it very hypocritical you're wishing someone to die or his kids to be gay, while also calling him out for being not willing to accept other groups. While the rest of your post IMO, really slapped nourdr in the face, there's no need for that stuff in here.

While the Bible may disapprove of homosexuality, but the underlying theme of God and Jesus Christ and Christianity as a whole is to be accepting of all kinds of people, no matter what their opinion, morals, or beliefs are. While this is applied to gay people, There's no need to wish him to die just for his personal opinions, because they honestly aren't worth that, throughout most of human history, we've seen lots of genocides and wars against groups for there certain beliefs, right in our opinion or not. And nowadays society is seeming to be growing out of that mold, or at least making baby-steps towards it. You wanting someone to die over "unaccepting beliefs out of fear" wouldn't move anything forward. Your personal attacks don't do anything but exaggerate your points.

You should read my post again and try to actually comprehend it. Maybe when you're an adult you'll understand. You should continue to stay out of threads like this.

[IceCap]

People can always change!

No, they really can't. Ask Exodus International or Evergreen International.

Bisexuals can pair up with a partner of the opposite sex, but that doesn't stop them being attracted to their own.

It's interesting/sad in a lot of ways. Growing up I denied my bisexuality by taking the fact that I was attracted to women and just telling myself that I must be straight (it didn't help that someone I respected, when I was 13, told me "you're either gay or straight, bisexuality isn't real.").

I might have had the courage to admit what I was to myself and come out at that age if I had someone like Michael Sam to look up to.

That's a huge part of why this is a big deal. To provide a desperately needed role model.

[BBTV]

What's weird is I have two gay friends (they're partners) who are both conservative, anti gay marriage / gay rights, and in one's case, über religious and believes that homosexuality is a sin. He continues to practice Christianity in the hopes that god will forgive him. They're essentially eternally self loathing. I was discussing this with a therapists friend of mine who said that it is actually quite common, and that there are a frightening number of young gay people who commit suicide because they were raised to believe all this bible stuff and thought that they'd never get into heaven or be loved by their god so they might as well just end it.

[illwauk]

People can always change!

Nuorder, you have to realize where people might find that statement offensive and take issue with it. The fact is, people can't change. In that sense are you saying that tomorrow you might wake up and be homosexual? The fact is it's part of who they are just like you're heterosexual. They're no different from you and me except they look at different porn . Unfortunately, there's people in society who don't understand that and they make people ashamed for not "changing," but thankfully it's changing.

As Gothamite just pointed out and by some of the comments from the other side here, there is still a disconnect and people don't understand. Hell, I'm understanding but as understanding and accepting as I am, I will never understand what a gay person has gone through and I don't want to act I'm in their shoes. But the more accepting we are, the easier it becomes for them and that's the most important thing.People can always change!

Don't you think I may take it offensive on how people have been bashing religion? If your gonna be upset about what I say, then don't be shocked when you upset people that don't feel the way you do. I mean come on, I have been told that I should die and make the world a better place (if that is not a hate statement, I don't know what is). But to put context to my words, here is another event that occured in my life and there are a few more that may blow your socks off.

Except that's not what was said. BBTV said the world would be better off without people like you in it... "people like you" meaning those who hide their prejudicial and discriminatory tendencies behind their religious beliefs. If you would stop doing those things, you'd no longer be one of the people for whom the world would be better off without.

[IceCap]

People can always change!

Nuorder, you have to realize where people might find that statement offensive and take issue with it. The fact is, people can't change. In that sense are you saying that tomorrow you might wake up and be homosexual? The fact is it's part of who they are just like you're heterosexual. They're no different from you and me except they look at different porn . Unfortunately, there's people in society who don't understand that and they make people ashamed for not "changing," but thankfully it's changing.

As Gothamite just pointed out and by some of the comments from the other side here, there is still a disconnect and people don't understand. Hell, I'm understanding but as understanding and accepting as I am, I will never understand what a gay person has gone through and I don't want to act I'm in their shoes. But the more accepting we are, the easier it becomes for them and that's the most important thing.People can always change!

Don't you think I may take it offensive on how people have been bashing religion?

Look. I'm not bashing your religion. I'm bashing your closed minded homophobia. I've met Christians who don't use their religion as an excuse to be hateful. That's the worst thing about you couching your opinions in Christian rhetoric. It's doing a disservice to a faith that millions of tolerant, loving individuals belong to.

[OnWis97]

People can always change!

Nuorder, you have to realize where people might find that statement offensive and take issue with it. The fact is, people can't change. In that sense are you saying that tomorrow you might wake up and be homosexual? The fact is it's part of who they are just like you're heterosexual. They're no different from you and me except they look at different porn . Unfortunately, there's people in society who don't understand that and they make people ashamed for not "changing," but thankfully it's changing.

As Gothamite just pointed out and by some of the comments from the other side here, there is still a disconnect and people don't understand. Hell, I'm understanding but as understanding and accepting as I am, I will never understand what a gay person has gone through and I don't want to act I'm in their shoes. But the more accepting we are, the easier it becomes for them and that's the most important thing.People can always change!

This is the thread's hidden gem.

I think there are people that are legitimately afraid that this may happen to them and that's why they spew out ignorant hatred...to tell everyone (themselves included) that they are, in fact, straight. If you are straight, you will remain straight so there is nothing to be afraid of and, more importantly nothing to prove to anyone or yourself. So no need to spew ignorance.

[Kramerica Industries]

What's weird is I have two gay friends (they're partners) who are both conservative, anti gay marriage / gay rights, and in one's case, über religious and believes that homosexuality is a sin. He continues to practice Christianity in the hopes that god will forgive him. They're essentially eternally self loathing. I was discussing this with a therapists friend of mine who said that it is actually quite common, and that there are a frightening number of young gay people who commit suicide because they were raised to believe all this bible stuff and thought that they'd never get into heaven or be loved by their god so they might as well just end it.

...which is actually a hilarious attempt of resolving their "problem", since suicide is actually "worse" than being gay would seem to be (based on your interpretation of the Bible). Suicide "also" denies entry into Heaven for those who seek such a Kingdom.

(so many damn " ". I hate having to tread the fine line so as to not accidentally offend somebody.)

[rams80]

So "My Gay Friend" is the new "My Black Friend"?

[OnWis97]

So "My Gay Friend" is the new "My Black Friend"?

Some of my best friends use religion as an excuse to hate gay people.

[illwauk]

What's weird is I have two gay friends (they're partners) who are both conservative, anti gay marriage / gay rights, and in one's case, über religious and believes that homosexuality is a sin. He continues to practice Christianity in the hopes that god will forgive him. They're essentially eternally self loathing. I was discussing this with a therapists friend of mine who said that it is actually quite common, and that there are a frightening number of young gay people who commit suicide because they were raised to believe all this bible stuff and thought that they'd never get into heaven or be loved by their god so they might as well just end it.

I knew one of those people... this guy said he had the devil's soul in him and deprived himself of a sex life thinking he might get into heaven as long as he didn't act on all those icky gay feelings. He also prayed every night for god to send him the holy ghost and turn him straight. Of course, he was also a judgmental twat who loved to point out everyone else's failings, and was especially brutal on anyone who was having gay sex.

Looking back, my interactions with him were a huge part of what made me start questioning the authority of religion. I simply couldn't believe in a god that would create someone so hateful that he hated his own soul, and found it incredibly hard to trust anyone who could praise and worship such a god. Believe me, this was no easy thing to do for someone who was raised in the Catholic church.

[OnWis97]

I've been reading similar threads on other forums and let me tell you, this board is looking a lot better than others.

Yeah...this place is comparatively a pleasant surprise vs. just about any other comments, etc. I have read.

[DG_ThenNowForever]

So "My Gay Friend" is the new "My Black Friend"?

Sadly, it seems more and more like "my gay uncle" or "my gay sister," but still no change in attitude.

[FiddySicks]

So, are you or have you ever been upset with your father about something?

Well, at least you're not Michael Sam!

http://espn.go.com/nfl/draft2014/story/_/id/10439397/father-michael-sam-struggling-news-son-gay

Good Lord, Michael Sam Sr. Even if that's how you truly feel, keep that s**t to yourself. It's your kid, for crying out loud!