Streppin...

A little under the weather today...

I'll just suck it up and post anyway (skipping work...). Forgive me if this post is a failure...my mind is not right right now.

I have been perusing other blogs lately trying to get ideas for styling and structuring blog posts as I'm still relatively new at this. One blog that I happen to love (but most people think is trash) is Perez Hilton. Its hilarious to me how he trashes these celebrities who, in most cases, deserve the treatment. Cheating on your husband (Hi...LeAnn Rimes...) he's going to trash you. Some are undeserving but...eh.. they chose to be celebrities in the spotlight...take the good with the bad. Well...as we all know- Perez was a judge in the Miss USA (or some random pageant...why are there so many?) Pageant and asked one of the ladies, Miss California her opinion on gay marriage which she gave...



Now while I am all for being honest and straightforward...I would have also realized that this question was heavily weighted and I, if I really wanted to win this and didn't care about morals etc, would have given a more PC response a la "Without regard to my religion, I believe that we as a country should not interfere in people's personal lives...this country was built supposedly to be a land of free expression and freedom from persecution...we cannot continue to persecute" blah blah blah. In that, I stated that my religion does NOT support this (which is what her Church wanted to hear) without stating that I actually agree with gay marriage (I do...but I'm playing Miss California right now) or that I personally think they should be able to wed (again...Miss California). Tada...you offended no one. Think about it...who the hell watches these pageants? A mixture of people...including gay men and women. Try not to isolate your crowd, my dear. After you win...then you can talk all the shit you want. Most of the girls are taught ways to dodge difficult questions while seemingly answering them. They practice for weeks on what topics might come up and how to answer them. Knowing Perez Hilton was a judge should have been an "I'm going to get asked about gay marriage or something...prep for that".

Well...after she lost there was this big hoopla because she was running around claiming that she lost solely because of that question (though...we later found out that the winner Miss North Carolina was leading after every round) and that it wasn't fair to target her solely. Blah blah... Anyway...a former Miss California...the 2003 one (now an ordained minister) comes out with a statement that makes such total sense to me and shares many of my views... Copied from Perezhilton.com (any highlights...bolds etc are my emphasis alone :))
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"As a pastor and a former Miss California, I am often asked to interpret what the Word of God has to say on a particular subject. I am quite confident that God prefers that we human beings stick to speaking for ourselves. And yet there are occasions when God’s Word is used as a weapon, and I feel compelled to speak.

In the past few days, much has been made of the words of Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean. She stated that marriage is between a man and a woman. I write not in response to her opinion, but rather about her comments that followed: that the Bible condones her words. She said, 'It's not about being politically correct, it's about being biblically correct.' While this sentiment is shared by many who seek to condemn gay people and gay marriage, citing pieces of the Bible to further one’s own prejudice fails to meet the Bible on its own terms.

Most people seeking to condemn gay people point to the Book of Leviticus, where we read that men lying with men is an abomination. However, we rarely hear of other verses found in the book of Leviticus that are equally challenging. For example, Leviticus also tells us that eating shrimp and lobster is an abomination. And that a person should not wear material woven of two kinds of material—an impossible mandate for a pageant contestant!

In Paul’s letter to the community in Corinth we read, ‘For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church….’ And yet these words have not prevented Christian denominations from ordaining women, such as myself. Sadly, the Bible has been used to further prejudice throughout history. We have used it to permit ourselves to enslave people; to conquer and kill; and to denigrate the earth.

The truth is that it is difficult to know for sure the intentions of the biblical authors, but we do know something about God. Those of us who know God through Jesus of Nazareth know that he went to great lengths to express God’s love to people who were labeled as outcasts. He spent time with children, prostitutes, and lepers, all of whom were labeled as outside of the grasp of the Holy. As we continue to seek God’s vision for us as a nation grounded in a love for justice, I pray that we might move closer to the cause of grace.”

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PREACH SISTER!




P.S. I'm not saying Miss California should not be able to express her views (though I think that if she wanted to win...she could have found a happy median)...everyone should be able to express their views. I just wish there would be a little more dialogue involved. I listen to your opinions...you hear my rebuttal and then my opinions..then you speak your opinions again etc. I would love the two Miss California's to sit and talk...that would be interesting.

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Southern Substance's Stance ...

On Homosexuality.

This is a topic that is very important to me and I am very impassioned about it. I am open to dialogue if you disagree - but these are my views!

As mentioned in a comment that I made to Musecatto's post on the subject- who cares what people do in the privacy of their bedrooms!? And if we are taking a religious slant in judging.. I'm the wrong one. After all this controversy with churches (pastors + little boys) I am disillusioned and have begun to worship and try to find God on my own. That being considered, my view of God and heaven etc is probably very skewed in your minds. I don't forsee two people being in love who just happen to be the same sex as burning in hell. I dont think my God ( the one in my head :) ) would condemn two people in love when He created love itself. I have heard my gay friends speaking about knowing they were gay as early as 3 or 4 and feeling it as natural. Do I sit here every day and say to myself "You are straight..look at that boy over there...yep...he's hot". No... my body does not need coaching - its natural. That's how they relate that they have felt.... Who can condemn nature?

I was not always as open-minded...but upon meeting my gay friends and having many, many talks with them...I realized how ignorant I was. I now defend gay rights like no other and truly believe that they should have the same rights as any other couple, whether that be the right to adopt children freely, health benefits, and marriage, among others.

I go head-to-head with people about this all the time, but perhaps most chilling/revealing to me, is the black population's willingness to condemn people based on physical/emotional attributes when we have suffered so much for the same things. When I hear them use the word "Faggot/Fag" (sorry...) I get upset because I equate those words to "Nigger" (again...sorry). Both groups have lost countless because of those words- how are they any different? When they bring up gays "Flaunting their sin" in gay pride parades or holding hands with their partners, I mention that all PDA should be banned. I'm single so that couple over there holding hands offends me. How about that?

I know a lot of people wont agree with me, but I have to say it: I believe that the struggles of gays are close, if not equivalent, to the struggles of blacks and other minority groups. Have we forgotten that it was not that long ago that blacks could not control who they married and were condemned and/or killed for, say, engaging in relations with a white woman. How far have we come? We are still fighting and, while doing so, we decide to stop to take a detour to tell gays that they don't deserve the rights we fought for 'cuz you know, we were born black and they can just, you know, marry a chick or something. Get out of here...

You can disagree and not condemn people - engage in some conversation. Maybe you'll still feel the same way afterwards or maybe, like me, your minds will change. Read more...

What's Your Position?

This week's topic is in the realm of sexuality with a spotlight on homosexuality.

I didn't really have exposure to homosexuality until high school. Television growing up kind of shied away from this topic. When Ellen came out, it was such a big deal to everyone. I didn't think it was so newsworthy. I still don't think that famous people coming out is really that big of a deal. Or rather, I don't think it should be a big deal to the general public. 1. It's a private matter. 2. Be tolerant, people.

I preach tolerance. I practice acceptance. I'm not saying I'm perfect and practice it to the T or even close to it. But I expect, at the very least, tolerance from myself and others.

One of the many things about sexuality that I find intriguing is gays in the "'hood."

I'm friends with one...I don't want to say "unsavory" character... because believe me, he's VERY savory. YUMmmmMMmmM! 6'6", solidly built, and gorgeous. But, he's had a few run-ins with the law. He is NOT the type to be all over myspace with pictures of guns, stacks of cash, random drug paraphernalia, and naked bitches up the wazoo. Virtual thugs...lol there's a whole OTHER conversation to be had about THAT! hahahaha

My dude, let's call him Enigma, is an atypical man of the "streets." Or at least he doesn't conform to the stereotypical "thug." There are many things about him that surprise me and keep me titillated.

He is very secure about his sexuality. Some people say he's gay because: He dresses well. He takes great care of his hygiene. He isn't afraid to talk to girls about skin care or their man's anatomy. But, he's straight. I'm not sure what these other people consider straight. Is he supposed to be a lice-ridden slob that talks about pussy all day everyday? Please. Put down your webcam and get real.

We've had a few conversations about homosexuality. And while he's not cool with the idea of it (yucky and not at all for him), he is tolerant. He has even come to the defense of a few gay men he knows. In one situation he talked about, he tried to get one of his boys to get a grip on himself because his boy's little brother is gay. His boy had beat up his brother, F'd him up bad enough to land him in the hospital, and threatened to hang him off the roof because he was so disgusted with homosexuality. So Enigma kissed another guy on the lips (no tongue) and asked his boy if he would do all that ish to him. Would he treat Enigma the way he treats his own little brother? No. His boy would not mess with Enigma the way he did with his little brother. The guy probably didn't stop emotionally or physically abusing his brother but at least he hasn't put him in the hospital again.

There was another situation where a male acquaintance of Enigma's was being ridiculed and ostracized for cross-dressing. Enigma didn't like the way his friends were treating this guy and they wouldn't stop being assholes about it so Enigma wore a skirt and went around the neighborhood (read: NOT the village) like that all day. Nobody tried to mess with him. I guess his point was proven because his friends stopped being a dick to the cross-dresser. However, Enigma did stop being so nice to the cross-dresser after the guy made a pass at him. It didn't sit so well with him.

He was extreme to prove a point. But he'll draw the line at actually shagging a man.

So what do you think? What would you do in his situation? How far would you go to prove a point? What are you willing to put on the line in the defense of another person?

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Converting the Homophobe?

Yesterday, I was watching a video on one of my favorite YouTube channels. This particular video concerned a young man’s personal "coming out" story as gay.

While listening, I read a few of the comments and came across a user, “H,” who was unabashedly attacking the gay man in the video and essentially damning the entire gay lifestyle. Having several close gay friends, needless to say, I wasn't too thrilled.  By nature, I usually choose to combat irrational emotions with a rational and tempered breakdown of the issue. Here’s the conversation that transpired:

H:  Deep or not you will still go striaght to hell!

       Repent immediately!

Another User:  Who are WE to judge?

H:  I am a human. I can judge who I feel like judging. And according to the Bible, HOMOsexuals AKA those pitiful GAY folk, will burn in hell. I am talking this straight from the Bible, of course not in the same context but you get my drift. If God wanted you to mate with a MALE he would have made you a FEMALE. Stop denying your GENDER! Go watch female porn, do whatever you have to GET RID OF THESE GAT THOUGHTS! It is not right and you will pay for it in the end. REPENT!

Me:  how can you say "I can judge who I feel like judging"? And then you talk about the Bible. Disagree, but don't judge

H:  What are you talking about? What is there to judge? He's homo, he just admitted it in the damn video!! All I am saying is he IS going to hell if he doesn't repent for his sins. Point blank. Why can't you understand that?

Another User: “H” is way too harsh and should not be mean. i am a Christian and i believe it is a sin to be gay but we should love homosexuals and tell them that their sin needs to be removed from their life. God does not give anyone homosexual desires. it is a trick of the devil.

H:  You are correct. And I do admit to coming off a bit too harsh but you know what, I am just fed up with all this nonsense. It seems as though the gays are taking over! The devil is becoming too common and I don't like it. So if I have to come of a little rude, too bad. It is what it is. You cannot be afraid to tell someone they will go to hell if they don't accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord an savior. They don't listen because they're in denial and know that I'm right.

Me:  You make sense, but I think the problem is that people seem so obsessed with this "sin" and seem to ignore their own countless sins like lying, fornication, cheating, judging, envying. These sins send people to hell as well, and are MUCH more pervasive. Yet, people seem to focus all their energy and feelings on the one "sin" of homosexuality. How can you expect to "convert people" when they don't feel any support from you? That's the main thing...

---User H then sent Me a personal message !!---

H: -- Okay, I get you and I also agree with you. However, being Gay plays a major role on one's life. We all lie or atleast have lied before and it is so easy to kneel and ask God to forgive you for your sins. But when you are gay and want to change, there are major steps to follow and it is hard. I definitely do not ignore my sins, I know I lie, I know I curse, and at times it is hard for me to control that but when I realize it is wrong and continuously ask God for forgiveness. When you are gay, you're whole life is just not the same. It is totally different. When you lie, it is just a lie. But being Gay is just..IDK. It grosses me out to think about it. I don't understand why people can't get over the fact that if you are a man you are meant to be with a woman and Vice Versa.

Me:   I hear you. ... I think about it like this. You're straight, I assume. Imagine if homosexuality was the natural order of things and how God intended it (just imagine). Now imagine heterosexuality was the sin. Think about how difficult it would be for you to hide your heterosexuality, to suppress your desire to be with another man (I think you're a girl, right? haha). Think about how lonely and alone you would feel if you couldn't cuddle with a guy, kiss a guy, express your love for a guy. That's what it would probably be like if you were gay. Sexuality is a HUGE part of life. You're a sexual being. I'm a sexual being. We all have urges. How difficult must it be to try to ignore or deny those urges for an entire lifetime?

You want gays to just accept the fact that men and women are the only proper couple. You want them to just suck it up and find an opposite sex partner to love and be with. But go back to the world I'm having you imagine. Would you be able to easily love and/or be intimate with another woman just because that's what's natural?

Everyone has their own urges and sexual desires. To force people into one way of living (even if that's what God intended) is a hard thing. Choosing to deny yourself and your interests is much more difficult than overcoming lying or a jealous spirit - asking God to forgive you.

I choose not to judge and just leave that part to the one that matters - God. Makes no sense for me to hate people and use all my energy tearing down others, because that's not going to attract people to God, AND it's not my duty. I'm supposed to love, embrace, lead by example, and understand.

H: WOW! That made a lot of sense....and again, I do agree and understand every word you're saying.

But a man who is "gay" has only "gay" thoughts and urges because of the devil. If they just simply repent, accept Jesus into there life then those homosexual thoughts and ways would not be present. It is not because they were born into the wrong body, they would be attracted to the opposite sex if only the devil exited there mind. It is all demons that give them those naughty thoughts.

If I wasn't a Christian, I probably would not care for men loving men and women loving women. It probably wouldn't matter to me at all. But the fact that I am a Christian and I know what is right and what is wrong, it is really hard for me to accept the fact that people are okay with deliberately going agaisnt God's word and doing it with no hesitation.

And I don't hate gays, I just don't agree with their way of life.

But thank you for that "speech"..lol. That was really good.

Me:  haha, no biggie. Didn't mean to go on and on. Yeah, it's a difficult subject, and I completely understand your point of view.

Here's the actual video which I was able to pull from a different internet site:

Be well,

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