Apr 18, 2010 -- 4:23PM, mainecaptain wrote:

Apr 18, 2010 -- 2:30PM, sydneymoon wrote:

 

Yes, that I do understand. That's not really what I meant. That folks are so consumed with hate is hard for me to understand.

I don't get it either. So much hate towards people who have never done them any harm. Towards total strangers. Mind boggling

Unfortunately, it's not hard for me to understand at all.  Hating gays is still big business for many Fundamentalist Christians.  The huge Baptist church here in Dallas (hardly a tiny podunk town) recently had a month long sermon series called "Why Gay is Not OK" where the pastor lectured people on how evil gays were supposed to be.    Because of their "saved" versus "unsaved" nonsense, they view anyone who's different then they are as evil; since gays are visibly different, it's easy to attack them.  I think religion in general tends to thrive on fear, ignorance, and hysteria and blaming gays is an easy way to drum up some income for the church ("we've got to stop their "gay agenda!"  Give generously!")  It also reinforces their us versus them mentality, and persecution delusions.

I am..what most of you would call...a fundamental Christian.

I have never understood this 'regulation/exclusion' of the ability for gays to visit thier loved ones!

In our hospitals here, just about anyone may visit a patient without showing any 'creds'...just as long as it's during the set hours!

Can anyone here inform us as to how-when-and why this rule ever was put into place? Surely it was'nt a religious thing on the part of the hospitals?

And I too, applaud the president's order!

Apr 19, 2010 -- 12:19AM, k-bearsmom wrote:

I am..what most of you would call...a fundamental Christian.

I have never understood this 'regulation/exclusion' of the ability for gays to visit thier loved ones!

In our hospitals here, just about anyone may visit a patient without showing any 'creds'...just as long as it's during the set hours!

Can anyone here inform us as to how-when-and why this rule ever was put into place? Surely it was'nt a religious thing on the part of the hospitals?

And I too, applaud the president's order!

Let me attempt to answer your question, Mom. Gay people in America are legal strangers. It came about for many reasons and the so-called "Defense" of Marriage Act in large part reinforces that status. Since we legally aren't "family", the actual (read blood relatives) family can eradicate our relationships before the lw. "Family" wishes take precedence.

I believe this largely came about because of the overlarge influence of traditional fundamentalist religionists and their view of gays. (Don't ever forget the Bible tells them that gay people "shall surely be put to death".)

Unless and until the DOMA is overturned and gays gain full and equal access to society's institution of marriage, this is unlikely to change. And there hasn't even been a lawyer smart enough to come forward and insist that the U.S. Constitution's Full Faith & Credit Clause (the one that says that a contract that is legally binding in one State shoulud be legally binding in ALL States) should apply equally to gay citizens. Nevermind the Equal Protections Clause. Nevermind the "LIBERTY and JUSTICE for ALL" dictum. Nevermind the right to the pursuit of happiness.

Gays in general are excluded for so much of society and its institutions, and I largely blame religious prejudice. Just listen to most of the 'arguments' made (both in the courts AND here): "But it's a SIN!!!" and you'll understand what I am talking about.

Thanx 4 askin'.