Newsweek boycott

Get Religion has beat this article to death because it just was not good journalism. The fact that the article is outrageous from a religious aspect is just the kiss of death for this article, the ‘reporter’ and maybe Newsweek. More and more insane print media outlets are suffering because people do not want to partake of their garbage.

It is sad when people cannot discern “news” from “commentary.”

It is also illuminating that so many “people of faith” cry foul when others express viewpoints or express interpretations that differ from their own. What that tells me is that they have doubt or insecurity in their own faith and are afraid that hearing, or allowing others to hear, different viewpoints might shake their own beliefs.

Maybe the most enlightening commentary on the gay marriage issue in any media outlet was Jon Stewart’s excellent interview with Mike Huckabee the other night on “The Daily Show.”

Clearly neither one was likely to change the other’s mind, but their exchange was thoughtful and civil and brought some depth to the arguments on both sides that are easily glossed over by more sensationalist coverage.

For me, Stewart’s question to Huckabee about whether one’s religion is more of a choice than one’s sexuality was a fascinating take on the issue. Stewart also pointed out how the institution of marriage has been constantly “re-defined” for thousands of years–it’s been a property arrangement, a convenient union of families, a polygamous vehicle to grow larger families and communities, a racially segregated practice, and now a battleground issue for people who are deeply uncomfortable with homosexuality for whatever reason.

The “Daily Show” video is well worth watching here:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=213349&title=mike-huckabee-pt.-2

I grew up in the church….eight ministers with my father an Assembly of God minister. I so do recall the hateful talk between the ministers not only about homosexuality but race and the poor. My middle-class church always said that they were a “welcoming” church but let a non-caucasian person walk into the door, or a family with second-hand clothes and let the gossip begin. I am a gay christian and my relationship with God is my business. However, my partner and I are raising our two children (one we adopted after his mother attempted to starve him to death), we go to church every Sunday and I am a Lay Pastor…..if I were to get sick, my parther of 17 years has no rights to visit me, and without numerous legal documents, no right to my assests. Strange that most of my siblings and cousins….all children of ministers have been divorced many times, children out of wedlock, etc. and I’m the one they seemed to embarassed to discuss. I personally believe that this is all a test….set up by my heavenly father just to see how his children treat each other. I am not here to judge but I pray for many of these people as when we stand before God on judgment day……alot of people just may be surprised that they have failed. And don’t give me the “we don’t hate the person, just the sin.” Another thing you’ll have to discuss with him on your judgment day. My prayers are with you.

thanks for the nice headups. This is so so incredible.