Put sex orientation bill on November ballot, Jacksonville councilman says

[Jimmy]

It is going to be a rather interesting event. I feel it's ridiculous, because so many ignorant, close-minded people behave as if homosexuality is some some sort of disease that takes over. Gay people don't ride a bike any differently, don't write a check any different, and certainly don't breathe any different. I am a heterosexual, big deal? Do I "breathe straight"? Do I "eat straight?" Do I walk outside and breathe in the morning air straight? Of course not. Meaning gays just love differently than I. That's all. Who we love has nothing to do with how well we drive a car or do our jobs.

If sexual orientation isn't added to Jacksonville's anti discrimination law, then how can it even be called an anti-discrimination law? It must apply to everything.

Twenty years from now, the same arguments will be made in favor of lifestyles encouraging relations between adults/children, parent/child,  brother/sister, etc.   It has already started.  This forum and its members will be the beacon of support for those lifestyles as well.  If it feels good, do it, right?  Those who believe different will be greeted with terms like "bigot", "close minded", etc.   Its the MO here.

40 years ago people were making the same argument against interracial marriage and the civil rights movement. You're on the wrong side of history and the comparison that you're trying to draw is ridiculous.

+∞

[Tacachale]

It is going to be a rather interesting event. I feel it's ridiculous, because so many ignorant, close-minded people behave as if homosexuality is some some sort of disease that takes over. Gay people don't ride a bike any differently, don't write a check any different, and certainly don't breathe any different. I am a heterosexual, big deal? Do I "breathe straight"? Do I "eat straight?" Do I walk outside and breathe in the morning air straight? Of course not. Meaning gays just love differently than I. That's all. Who we love has nothing to do with how well we drive a car or do our jobs.

If sexual orientation isn't added to Jacksonville's anti discrimination law, then how can it even be called an anti-discrimination law? It must apply to everything.

Twenty years from now, the same arguments will be made in favor of lifestyles encouraging relations between adults/children, parent/child,  brother/sister, etc.   It has already started.  This forum and its members will be the beacon of support for those lifestyles as well.  If it feels good, do it, right?  Those who believe different will be greeted with terms like "bigot", "close minded", etc.   Its the MO here.

Twenty years from now, you'll look like even more of a troglodyte than you do now, which is really saying something.

[RMHoward]

It is going to be a rather interesting event. I feel it's ridiculous, because so many ignorant, close-minded people behave as if homosexuality is some some sort of disease that takes over. Gay people don't ride a bike any differently, don't write a check any different, and certainly don't breathe any different. I am a heterosexual, big deal? Do I "breathe straight"? Do I "eat straight?" Do I walk outside and breathe in the morning air straight? Of course not. Meaning gays just love differently than I. That's all. Who we love has nothing to do with how well we drive a car or do our jobs.

If sexual orientation isn't added to Jacksonville's anti discrimination law, then how can it even be called an anti-discrimination law? It must apply to everything.

Twenty years from now, the same arguments will be made in favor of lifestyles encouraging relations between adults/children, parent/child,  brother/sister, etc.   It has already started.  This forum and its members will be the beacon of support for those lifestyles as well.  If it feels good, do it, right?  Those who believe different will be greeted with terms like "bigot", "close minded", etc.   Its the MO here.

Twenty years from now, you'll look like even more of a troglodyte than you do now, which is really saying something.

Nice Tacachale.  I can set my watch to the name calling here.  For a group touting tolerance, you sure arent very tolerant of someone else's view on this subject, now are you?  Again, this is the MO here.  I admit, i had to look that word up.  You folks have all the good names to call folks.  Now back to my cave.

[stephendare]

It is going to be a rather interesting event. I feel it's ridiculous, because so many ignorant, close-minded people behave as if homosexuality is some some sort of disease that takes over. Gay people don't ride a bike any differently, don't write a check any different, and certainly don't breathe any different. I am a heterosexual, big deal? Do I "breathe straight"? Do I "eat straight?" Do I walk outside and breathe in the morning air straight? Of course not. Meaning gays just love differently than I. That's all. Who we love has nothing to do with how well we drive a car or do our jobs.

If sexual orientation isn't added to Jacksonville's anti discrimination law, then how can it even be called an anti-discrimination law? It must apply to everything.

Twenty years from now, the same arguments will be made in favor of lifestyles encouraging relations between adults/children, parent/child,  brother/sister, etc.   It has already started.  This forum and its members will be the beacon of support for those lifestyles as well.  If it feels good, do it, right?  Those who believe different will be greeted with terms like "bigot", "close minded", etc.   Its the MO here.

Twenty years from now, you'll look like even more of a troglodyte than you do now, which is really saying something.

Nice Tacachale.  I can set my watch to the name calling here.  For a group touting tolerance, you sure arent very tolerant of someone else's view on this subject, now are you?  Again, this is the MO here.  I admit, i had to look that word up.  You folks have all the good names to call folks.  Now back to my cave.

RMHoward .

Everytime you post on this subject you make it more obvious that you haven't taken either your opinion or your brain out for a jog since the Nixon Era.

"If it feels good, do it?"

Really?

Its been at least since Nixon that most people thought that gay, lesbian or bisexual orientation is rooted in the Warner Erhardt led 'Me Generation' ethos of the 70s.

Study after study has proven a pretty strong link between homophobia in men and latent homosexual desire, so even despite your advance years, one supposes there is still hope for you yet.

[Jimmy]

For those who take the paper, you'll see this full-page advertisement in today's edition of the Florida Times-Union.  For those who don't, you can see it right here on MJ.

[stephendare]

We are definitely going to be liveblogging the event.  Also we will have our first video segment with a reporter tonight.  Its our first time so we know we are going to be making all kinds of mistakes and look forward to the inevitable unforeseen technical glitches.

Looks like there is going to be a general circus there tonight.

In addition to the wonderful message from the Civic Council, there is of course the other side:

http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/8218319763.html

More Than a Dozen Pastors & Business Owners Agree

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 22, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today, Dr. Raymond Johnson, Founder & President of Biblical Concepts Ministries announced He is leading an effort to organize a group of pastors in the fight against city council bill #296 "Anti Discrimination Bill" adding the words "sexual orientation, gender identity or expression" to current discrimination laws. Dr. Johnson and BCM volunteers is communicating with hundreds of pastors and has mailed a letter and a printed copy of the bill to over 300 pastors in Jacksonville this week. "I will do everything I can to educate and activate pastors and congregations to contact council members and attend meetings to help defeat this bill." Dr. Johnson Said.

We oppose this bill for multiple reasons. First, fundamental evangelical Christians with a biblical worldview agree homosexuality is an abominable sin according to Romans 1:22-32, and anyone supporting this bill may be in danger of having a "reprobate mind" According to Vs. 28. Therefore we are refuting the small group of local pastors supporting this bill as they do not represent the majority of main stream Christianity.

Second, we our calling on the city council to repent and reject this bill for these reasons. We reject the theory that this is an "anti discrimination bill" as the bill takes away the rights of the majority of our citizens and gives special rights and class to a small minority of people. We have spoken so politically correct we have desensitized a generation to homosexuality, it is not an alternative lifestyle, it is sodomy, perversion and sin. We know God will bless or curse this city according to our law and public policy as Proverbs 14:34 states "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." The final reason we reject this bill is for its disregard to the constitution of the United States. Bill #296 on lines 3-5 on page 3, and line 8, page 8 strikes the words "within the limits of the constitution of the United States." This disregards individual and religious liberty embedded in the constitution.

We the undersigned confirm the statements above and therefore ask the Jacksonville City Council to repent, reject and vote No on bill #296.

Rev. Tom Croft, Pastor Morning Star Family Church
Rev. Jerry Fitch, Pastor Destiny Church
Rev. Clarence Jarrell, Pastor Harvest Time Church of God
Rev. Steve Dubose, Pastor Lane Ave Church of God
Rev. Andrew Shiltz, Garden City Church of God
Rev. Ken Gemeinhart, Englewood Christian Church
Rev. Eric Osborn, Lighthouse Assembly of God
Rev Marc Swarthout, Shilo Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. Jarry Moore, associate minister, Marietta Church of God
Rev. Pastor James Tomlinson, Sharon Baptist Church, small business owner
Patty Jones, Music Minister, Crown Point Baptist Church, small business owner
Gene Thigpen, small business owner
Troy & Cathy Cooner, small business owners
Todd Knowles, small business owner

[Debbie Thompson]

Whew!   Our pastor (Arlington Congregational Church) is one of those being refuted.   It'll be 6-ish before I can get downtown, but I plan to come.

[finehoe]

We reject the theory that this is an "anti discrimination bill" as the bill takes away the rights of the majority of our citizens and gives special rights and class to a small minority of people. We have spoken so politically correct we have desensitized a generation to homosexuality, it is not an alternative lifestyle, it is sodomy, perversion and sin. We know God will bless or curse this city according to our law and public policy as Proverbs 14:34 states "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." The final reason we reject this bill is for its disregard to the constitution of the United States.

Call me crazy, but for some reason I suspect that logic will get you nowhere with this lot.

[finehoe]

I will never patronize these businesses.

James Tomlinson, small business owner: Tomlinson Lawncare Services
Patty Jones, small business owner: Mary Kay Cosmetics
Gene Thigpen, small business owner: AA Bottled Gas Co.
Troy & Cathy Cooner, small business owners:  Troy's Diesel Service Inc.
Todd Knowles, small business owner: Tank Swap Taxi, Inc.

[RMHoward]

We reject the theory that this is an "anti discrimination bill" as the bill takes away the rights of the majority of our citizens and gives special rights and class to a small minority of people. We have spoken so politically correct we have desensitized a generation to homosexuality, it is not an alternative lifestyle, it is sodomy, perversion and sin. We know God will bless or curse this city according to our law and public policy as Proverbs 14:34 states "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." The final reason we reject this bill is for its disregard to the constitution of the United States.

Call me crazy, but for some reason I suspect that logic will get you nowhere with this lot.

Good for the Reverends for calling it the way it is.   When looking for a new church, I will consider any on that list. The rest of you, however now have a "hit list" of folks to smeer.

[RiversideLoki]

We reject the theory that this is an "anti discrimination bill" as the bill takes away the rights of the majority of our citizens and gives special rights and class to a small minority of people. We have spoken so politically correct we have desensitized a generation to homosexuality, it is not an alternative lifestyle, it is sodomy, perversion and sin. We know God will bless or curse this city according to our law and public policy as Proverbs 14:34 states "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." The final reason we reject this bill is for its disregard to the constitution of the United States.

Call me crazy, but for some reason I suspect that logic will get you nowhere with this lot.

Good for the Reverends for calling it the way it is.   When looking for a new church, I will consider any on that list. The rest of you, however now have a "hit list" of folks to smeer.

I tried to figure out the exact date/time that you "went off the reservation" where "the reservation" is the one populated by sane forum posters. That exact date and time is July 20, 2010 at 07:30:49 PM.

Before that, your posts were generally useful. But, since then, a large majority of posts you've graced us with have been absolutely firmly planted in nutjob land. I'm not sure what happened to you or what kind of people that you generally associate with. But I can probably surmise that they all hold the same views that you hold. Was it your time in the military version of club med?

What strange world do you live in where human rights are only for white, married, straight couples? Your posting history indicates that you hold racist views, you agree with homophobia, and you're very pro-nuking-a-country-that-hasn't-done-anything-to-us. And now you agree with a bunch of church leaders who aren't following one of the basic tenets of Christianity, which is "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

The entire bible can be whittled down to one short sentence; "Don't be a dick." Why is that so hard for many southern Christians to follow?

[tufsu1]

Good for the Reverends for calling it the way it is.   When looking for a new church, I will consider any on that list. The rest of you, however now have a "hit list" of folks to smeer.

how compassionate....and Jesus-like of you!

[Cheshire Cat]

I want to say something and it comes from my heart. Jacksonville is currently trying to decide about a bill that gives protection to the GLBT members of our community. I who have often spoken out in the past have remained silent on this issue to see where it would go. My lovely friends include high ranking officials, folks in media, law makers and many of the movers and shakers of Jacksonville. They are conservatives and liberals, Christians, Jews, believers and non believers. Each one I love for who they are, nothing else, simply who they are. My heart has been broken recently by some in the community who have used their voices or pulpits to paint gay and lesbian individuals as less than what and who they are, which are children of God and his creation. For those who doubt that the creator shines through all people, I pray that you will listen to this song and be moved to understand that all people are of the good lord and he shuns no one......no one....Everyone, put away the judgements and open your hearts and minds to the understanding that some of God greatest teachers are the ones you fear the most. I hope you will feel that in the incredible performance attached here.

Diane Melendez




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE

[Timkin]

  Good to hear from you , Diane!! 

[officerk]

I don't understand how extending rights to a portion of the law abiding populous is in any way removing rights from another portion of the  law abiding populous.. I hope that this Bill has success..