You're Not Special, We Are All Special

But if we are all special, then no one is special.

There have been many misconceptions and a few outright lies shouted by both sides of the homosexual/gay-rights/same-sex-marriage issue. Those who broadcast falsehoods are just plain wrong and often border on evil. Make no mistake, they exist on both sides of the fence. The particular whopper I wanted to address is homosexuals as a protected class of people.

This hype over gays being special, unique, and in need of protected status is bogus. It is akin to the radical racists who claim that everyone hates them because of their race. I harbor a particular distaste for most racists, (those who claim others are racists,) but it is because they are conniving, whining, manipulating operatives with subversive agendas; it is not because of the color of their skin. So, here's a news flash: gays are not special.

They are special to their parents, their children, their friends and associates, but they are not a special sub-set of mankind that requires preferential treatment or accommodations. The leaders of this movement want us to feel they are special because they want us to publicly and openly accept their way of thinking and living. But they are just like everybody else. Homosexuals are homosapians, with strengths and weaknesses, challenges and opportunities.

The lesbian couple in Oregon who sued Sweet Cakes by Melissa over the emotional stress of their rejection, obviously have issues that were present long before they walked into the cake shop. When you are doing something that is different or repulsive to many people, feeling hurt because you weren't accepted is like a smoker complaining of their cough. Not that we should be offensive to those who are different, but people also need to accept responsibility and the responses to their unorthodox actions.

God told a prophet over 2000 years ago, "I give unto men weakness that they may be humble". We all have challenges to overcome, phobias that need to be faced, and proclivities that should be controlled. We are all swimming in this soup together and we need to provide the support and help to others we can.

Recognizing the un-specialness of those with challenges is important to healing and health. Assigning a special classification prolongs the problem, it doesn't help with healing. Some individuals, such as children, the mentally challenged, or those with crippling diseases, need to be afforded special treatment and consideration. But rational adults, who have made their life choices, must accept the consequences of their actions, including acceptance or rejection.

The Lord also declared that we should have no sexual relations except with our husband or wife to whom we are legally married. The only reason he told us this is that sexual relations in any other setting; fornication, adultery, homosexuality, promiscuity, etc., will not bring us the happiness most of us are seeking. It is the same with abortion, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, murmuring, backbiting, lying, stealing, coveting, and a host of other actions. 

Sin is simply, any action which brings sorrow or pain to ourselves or to others. As a loving father, God advises us to avoid those behaviors. We may have a propensity to deviant behavior, and unwelcome thoughts may spontaneously pop into our minds at any moment, but it is our reaction, not the thought that defines us. The question is, do we change the thought and thereby dictate our actions, or do we foster, fertilize and fantasize upon the thought until it becomes a deed?

God's solution is to come unto him and his beloved son, Jesus Christ for strength and direction. 

The Apostle Paul told us "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." I think that sometimes, the escape he provides is from the cords that bind us, after we have succumbed to temptation, but the escape is none the less real.

The Prophet Nephi told his father, "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

Jesus Christ told Joseph Smith while he was wrongly imprisoned, "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; . . ."

The promises for all mankind are that we can become the best we can be, we can find the happiness we seek, and we can help others achieve the same. May God continue to guide us to him, I pray in the name of his son, Jesus Christ.

Putting Homosexuality into Perspective

There has been so much talk, so many accusations regarding homosexuality, that the basic principles and premises have be lost in the cloud of rhetoric.

On one hand, there are the religious fundamentalists, who, citing God as their resource, condemn not only the action, but all of the participants as well. This non-Christian attitude gives rise to bigotry, gay-bashing, acts of hate and violence and ultimately deprives the promoter of compassion, tolerance and charity, that pure love of Christ.

On the other hand, with the homosexual adherents, there flourishes whining cries of persecution, accusations of homophobia and the irrelevant shouts of the depravation of civil rights. More damaging than these is the promotion of sexual promiscuity and the de-valuation of the family.

Putting aside all the charges and counter-charges, there are a few simple principles that should put the issue into perspective.

1. There is, has been and always will be a difference between the act and the perpetrator. We can and should abhor actions that are wrong, destructive and damaging to mankind, but we always need to separate the revulsion for the act from the participant. When we become disgusted with the person, we alienate and ostracize them from society. Without a tie to society, there is seldom enough motivation for a constructive change to take place. In other words, condemning the person is a death sentence for reformation.

2. There is no such thing as a "hate crime." A crime is a crime, regardless of the state of mind of the criminal. What the two men beating Matthew Shepherd were thinking or what motivated them to act did not lessen or increase his pain, trauma and ultimate death. When a "God fearing Christian" makes derogatory remarks, spits or hits a gay person, it is no different than if they did the same thing to a white, Black, Asian or Jewish person. There is no justification or excuse for such behavior.

3. Relationships between people of the same sex are not only easier, but they are good. They provide common elements, attitudes and understandings that can help each of us to better cope and enjoy life. The problem arises in the misconception that sexual activity is a basic human need that can be satisfied with anyone or anything, in virtually any setting.

Sexual relationships outside the bonds of a heterosexual marriage, never brings the happiness and enduring satisfaction the participants are seeking. Sexual activity stimulates a hormonal change in us that bonds a man and woman together and facilitates a lifelong partnership in addition to perpetuating our species. It is an important element in making a heterosexual relationship endure. In any other setting, sex is destructive and dangerous.

4. Homosexuality is a choice, not chance. As discussed in #3, we by nature develop friendships and relationships with those of our own sex, but having a sexual relationship with them is a choice that is made, not a fate that is executed. There are those who have a predisposition or tendency to a same sex relationship, just as there are those who are predisposed to become adulterers, alcoholics, drug addicts, child molesters or any other negative behavior.

This in no way excuses one from submitting to attitudes and actions that will eventually bring pain, humiliation or death to you or others.

5. Too many times, those who do transgress the social mores, complain that they are not welcome in the company of those they offend. Of course we are not welcome if we promote concepts or attitudes that are contrary to a group. I raise the question, "Why do you care if the ‘opposition’ doesn’t accept you and why would you want to be accepted by those who oppose you?"

If an organization does not believe the same as you, how can you be offended by not being invited to attend? How many Jews have complained that they are excluded from Neo-Nazi groups or how many Blacks have sued the Klu Klux Klan for admission? The only justification for such action is seeking acknowledgement for a behavior they know is wrong, but want to continue.

For that, there is no protection under the law.