Christianist Rant

I am dismayed by the disturbing amount of homophobic information on the Internet. A wonderful example is found on “Focus on Your Child dot com.” Among the more blatant examples are the pages dedicated to protecting your children from becoming homosexuals. In his particularly scary book Preventing Homosexuality: A Parent’s Guide, clinical psychologist Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D., offers some guidelines to combat raising a homosexual child (e.g., Recognize that most homosexuals “were not explicitly [so] when they were children. More often, they displayed a ‘nonmasculinity’ that set them painfully apart from other boys: unathletic — somewhat passive, unaggressive and uninterested in rough-and-tumble play. A number of them had traits that could be considered gifts: bright, precocious, social and relational, and artistically talented.” Tip: Discern whether your boy struggles with feelings of “not belonging.” If he does, seek help.) .

What a bunch of crap. Excuse my outburst. Predictably, Dr. Nicholosi represents the Christianist right. Without starting a rant on the trouble with organized religion – yes, I lump them all together, Christianists, Jews, Moslems, Catholics, etc. – I find it really exasperating that the basis of so much of christianists faith is tied up in their righteous beliefs in how others should behave. All religions also seem to utilize fear as a tool to thwart independent thought, personal discovery and freedom.

This past weekend we attended a lovely party to celebrated my cousin’s ten-year anniversary of being in a committed relationship with his partner. They serve as a shining example of what a fulfilling, loving relationship can be. Among our extended family, they also represent one of the more successful and stable relationships. They’re also productive, wealthy, tax paying, democratic, outspoken, funny, voting Americans.

If my children are or turn out to be gay I will embrace and love them for their character, not for their choice of sexual orientation. If someone holds a different point of view, I will respect that view and will not try to impose my beliefs. But if you try to tell me I am wrong for what I think or in what I believe, you take away my choice. So far I have not found the ultimate arbitrator who can decide what is right and what is not. Until and unless that woman steps forward, we really should each decide for ourselves don't you think?