My comments as "HoboHomo" (and a kind response) from article about Christian fundamentalist dogma on Alternet.org, a progressive message board:

Subject: Homophobia: Our Achilles Heel
Posted by: HoboHomo on Mar 30, 2009 9:23 PM

The universal hatred of gay people by most religious and even non-religous societies has provided an eternally-open wound by which those in power can control and decimate all others.

When all sorts of people composing a MAJORITY of the culture, rabidly partake in the persecution of gays (or any other group, but homosexuals have been the chosen scapegoat for at least a millenium), society constructs its own DE-construction, and begins to experience the very terror they've so gleefully spawned upon the non-hetero minority.

In your own ignorance, you did not see this coming. It is not too late, IF and ONLY if, enough citizens aggressively resist homophobia and create laws and sanctions of ZERO TOLERANCE against gay bashing.

Otherwise, enjoy the hell you've created by your own demonic thoughts, if not outright actions.

Subject: MCC has the "jesus" domain name.
Posted by: Bliss Doubt on Mar 31, 2009 9:15 AM

www.jesus.com

HoboHomo, my feeling is that christianity is so dysfunctional and mixed up, and has so much bad baggage in the inquisition, witch hunts, crusades, holy wars, the oppression of third world people by missionaries who have insisted that native peoples were savage heathen, gay bashing, right wing political intrigue, that I wouldn't want them, and don't feel left out by not belonging to one of their churches. I found my spiritual path in the 80's when I began hearing about the Goddess.

Anyway, for what it's worth, I'd point out that no particular cult of organized christianity owns Jesus. One of the official statements of Metropolitan Community Churches is "homosexuality, not a sin, not a sickness".

I was touched by the pain of a friend who died just over a year ago. In his last years on this planet, I think he knew he was going to die young. He'd been raised Catholic, and as a gay man felt rejected by God. He lived his last years in search of answers about pain in this life, about the validity of one's identity, about higher power that you can lean on, our responsibility to each other and to God, and whether or not God really takes an interest in us. He died without finding his answers.

RE: MCC has the "jesus" domain name.
Posted by: HoboHomo on Mar 31, 2009 12:17 PM

{{ HoboHomo, my feeling is that christianity is so dysfunctional and mixed up }}

Everything you said: so true! Do you know that when missionaries reached Alaska, their depraved teaching drove many Inuit people insane? That's because being told they were sinners by nature caused a severe psychosis of depression, a disconnect with their creator who is most beloved in their native worldview. They couldn't imagine being in any way, so intrinsically offensive to their God, it broke their spirit!

Many indigenous societies were most accepting of alternative sexual inclinations, and found ways to incorporate that into their culture in loving, rational ways. But--thanks to the dogma of Christianity--they now are violent gay bashers even when otherwise getting back to their roots. They may reject the distorted overlay of a conquering culture (for the most part), but maintain one of its worst influences: homophobia.

{{ I found my spiritual path in the 80's when I began hearing about the Goddess. }}

I am essentially a Pagan myself...more specifically, an animist, which is one who believes all that exists (even a rock) is imbued with universal consciousness. My paganist ideas are obvious in my tales, poems and essays that you can read on my web site or blog.

{{ One of the official statements of Metropolitan Community Churches is "homosexuality, not a sin, not a sickness". }}

While I have found little personal reward in joining gay-friendly churches (and believe me I've tried) due to the overall conservatism that has sadly become part of gay society...I believe that reclaiming Christianity on their own terms is a most important and effective political maneuver. That is why I've dedicated my own activism towards reinterpreting religious mythos on behalf of sexual minorities. My web site is entitled The Final Testament (or "Faggot Bible"), which you may visit here: gay-bible.org

Bemusedly, I didn't realize until several years aftern naming my web site, that "Final Testament" is also the pet name Muslims give to their own bible, the Q'uran. :D

On my home page is a link to my "zekeblog", where my most recent writings and activities are recorded for anyone interested.

{{ I was touched by the pain of a friend who died just over a year ago. }}

Thank you so much for being his friend; that will bless you the rest of your life. I believe that gay people have a spiritual destiny above and beyond the average hetero person...and that we walk Christ's path more closely than any other group...as implied by our long and noble history of persecution and humiliation. It is our (gay) destiny to bring the world into a better existence, by example and long-suffering.

And it is meant to be a total surprise for most.

Thank you, Bliss Doubt, for a MOST thoughtful comment. I consider you a true friend on this bumpy road we call life. May the Great Spirit bless you this day,