Feel the same way about Republican women

You mean religion? Yeah, it's all bullshit. Gay people can believe and justify bullshit just like anybody else.

Have you seen Jesus up on that cross? Rowwr!

Given that religion is bullshit to begin with, you should hardly expect consistency out of it.

For the record last time I checked Christianity wasn't the only religion on Earth.

I would argue that Romans isn't "God's word". Romans was a letter written by Saul of Tarsus to a church in Rome. It was his opinion (though he claims to have had hallucinatory conversations with Jesus) on how people should behave and how the church should be run.

Because you're born gay or straight, or bi. No one would choose a life of discrimination. If you're also born into a religious community, you've got double trouble.

Well there is more than one religion, but any that are gay and follow the Abrahamic ones baffle me besides the fact that they can be indoctrinated and cherry pick like the rest of humanity...

Who else would be priests, though?

Curiously, there is no mention in the gospels regarding homosexuality that I am aware of, therefore, from a textual viewpoint, Jesus is silent on the matter. In Corinthians Paul uses the term arsenos koiton translated from Leviticus which refers to shrine prostitution. Bearing in mind that in Romans Paul criticises 'gossips, slanderers, the arrogant and boastful' in the same context as homosexuality declaring "such things are worthy of death", looks like we are probably all off for a stoning! The only voices of dissent that we hear on the issue of homosexuality are from Paul and in the text of 1 Timothy which also uses the expression arsenos koiton. It seems that the problem is not with Jesus but with Paul. Is Paul's zeal and impatient paranoia sufficient to inspire such ire in the name of his 'saviour'? To cut Paul a bit of slack he was speaking in a specific time in a specific location, for a specific mission but I would suggest the ideas are no longer pertinent.

That's the whole point of atheism. I don't understand how anyone can believe in fairytales.

I get your point, but I really believe a large number of religious people are only religious by default. They go with the flow, celebrate holidays, and believe only superficially without questioning.

The "Old Testament" has been given the heave,dwindling church attendance is the reason for homosexuals being welcome with open arms.

Yeah, I don't get it either. It's hard to shake indoctrination..

I have never understood this either, why would you fight so hard for acceptance in to an organisation that hates who and what you are, claims you are a crime against nature and twice in its own sacred texts condemns you to painful inhumane execution.

In another group I previously belonged to, I was on speaking terms with a well known human rights and LBGTQ activist, who was knocking himself stupid to get back in to the LDS church, who had excommunicated him for his Homosexuality.
I kept asking him why and he kept saying because he WAS A MORMON, a denomination that by definition despises gays people as one of their major selling points.

I know about cognitive dissonance by some people abuse the privilege.

Remember the two words that keep 95% of people in the Republican party:

Cognitive

Dissonance

No, you are not the only one that thinks so. Your post is absolutely correct. The bible is not reliable for much.

Gay people have always played roles in society as priests as artists as healers or truth tellers..this is acceptable in many cultures such as some polynesian societies or for example the hopi culture..i think the gay gene would not exist if it did not provide a social benefit..

These are not necessarily "God's" words, as they are interpretations of what God says. Basically, gays are not accepting God, they are rejecting mainstream religion. Regardless of the fact I don't believe in God, I can still appreciate the distinction they make in their decision to believe.

choices. I support their beliefs even as fucked up as it seems. it’s right for them is all that matters.

Yep, you are the only one.

Why go to church if you're divorced and remarried. Certainly the Bible states one spouse for life with the exception of adultery.
Organized religion eventually evolve but it's normally too late to fix the lives they broke.
I have seen churches where the LGTBQ community are accepted, loved and welcomed. Ames church in IL comes to mind.

They were just raised with it, I’d guess.

I know a guy who is a gay Christian, a virgin and deeply torn about his homosexuality.

IMO he creates so much stress, it eats away at him and daily life is difficult bc of his inner turmoil.

Honestly I think if there is a God/Godess....they we be offended by religion. Religion teaches we have "free will" and were created uniquely so why would a creator dictate rituals for all? That is in direct contradiction to free will and what about love being the most important or not to judge others? Religion is the worst thing that ever happened and gives a potential creator a bad name!

How does religious ideals tie up with paedophile priests? It shows that you can invoke the name of god and still be a vile person. That is what makes religions so laughable. Okay many religious people are good people. No doubt about that. But many, especially in America, make millions in the name of religion. They know how to use the name of god to make money. That is called using the concept of a non-existent being to rip off the poor. Not to different to selling snake oil.