Conversations with mother

So, my partner and I are moving to Washington, DC.  We’ve told our family.  Everything was going really well…..until…..

A few night ago I was talking with my mother.  Once again, I mentioned the move.  She acted like she had not heard this before.  The conversation on the phone went something like this:

Mom – So you are really going to move.

Me – Yes, we are.

Mom – You are making a big mistake.  I don’t know why you don’t understand the cost of living is so much more up there.

Me – I know, but my salary will be double what it is here.

Mom – It won’t matter.  It is a mistake and I’m not going to help you if you get into trouble.

Me – But we want kids.  We can’t do that here.

Mom – Well, you weren’t meant to have kids.  Marriage is between a man a woman.  Two men aren’t suppose to have kids.

Me – I think you are wrong.

Mom – I’m not wrong.  If you move, I won’t be hear for you when you need help.

I tried to hide my hurt and quickly changed the subject.  I realized that no amount of talking or discussion will change her mind.  This is what religion does to people.  THIS is why my mother is supportive of me.  She basically disowned me again.  My partner and I have been together for 19 years.  We’ve been to my parent’s house.  We’ve spent the night.  We’ve celebrated christmas with them.  But apparently it was all an act.  She doesn’t support us – therefore she doesn’t support me.

Not to mention the fact, that she says, very firmly, that if anything goes wrong, she will not be there for me and won’t help me.  Can you imagine telling your child that?  I can’t.  There are MANY straight couples who NEVER should be parents.  But because of my sexuality, my mother things I wouldn’t be a good parent.  Unfortunately, this means that she will never accept her grandchildren.  And I won’t expose them to that.

The sad thing is, I’d be there for her no matter what.  :(

Goodbye mother.  Wishing you well….

The Confessions of a Pastor…a funny story…

Sometimes I read the stories over at the 700 club.  If you haven’t seen this show, it is insane.

But the story of interest today involves a pastor named Bryan McKnight.  Basically the story says something to the effect that he had a family, they got divorced, he found and lived in “sin” with a woman in a trailer until one day the strange god ghost told him he was going wrong.  He married the woman he was shaking up with and they prayed and “made their life right” – whatever that means – and he became a pastor again.

So, here we go again with the same old story.  The amazing thing is at the end of the story, the guy (McKnight) is just as grateful as Job for all his hardships and just thanking the “loyd” (See the movie “The Stupids”)  for all he went through.

So somehow this all knowing, all powerful god – joined this guy together with the woman he’d eventually divorce.  But I thought no man could “put asunder” what god put together?  Surely, he’d make EXTRA sure that his PASTORS were connected to the right people….right?  Apparently not.  So what hope do the rest of us have?

Then this same “Loyd” then allowed this guy to buy a trailer, live in “sin,” and do all kind of stuff normal people do – but then one day – REVEAL that he should come back into the fold.

Isn’t it great that the Loyd will “allow” you do have all this fun and take you back?  Too Funny…

Remember – Reject the gods.  Especially if THIS is the way they treat you.

Most “Tolerant” State

The Daily Beast (http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-01-16/ranking-the-most-tolerant-and-least-tolerant-states/full/) recently put together an interesting list.  According to their site

The Daily Beast sought to examine which states are the most tolerant, devising a thorough point system that measures each state’s residents based on their actions and opinions, as well the scope of state laws guaranteeing equal rights and protections, which reflects the broader political will.

I found the list very interesting to say the least.  Surprising was the fact that Mississippi WASN’T LAST!  Mississippi is often sited as the most obese state as well as the most religious state so when I started looking over the list, I immediately assumed Mississippi would be on the bottom of the list.  BUT IT WASN’T MISSISSIPPI!  Apparently, according to the site, they rank Wyoming the least tolerant state.

They base these scores on a number of factors including:

• Hate crime
• Discrimination
• Gay Rights
• Religious Tolerance
• Hate Crime incidents
• Discrimination cases
• Same-sex marriage support
• Is there one way to heaven

Even based on these criteria, I STILL suspected Mississippi would be last.  But rather than being 50, Mississippi is 38th!!!!

Now, I still find it hard to believe so I started looking into the numbers.  Get this:

• Gay rights 1 out of 10!!!
• Religious Tolerance 4 out of 10!!!
• Support of same sex marriage 27%!!!

These 3 alone are really, really disturbing to me.  As a gay man, I pay taxes just like everyone else, but yet, 1 out of 10 for gay rights?!

This is one of the reasons I will be moving out of Mississippi this summer.  I’d like to move to either Maryland (#2 on the list!!!) or Washington, DC.  I’m tired of paying my taxes to a state that doesn’t appreciate what I give to the state as an educator.  I’m done with Mississippi.

What is more sickening to me is the fact that only one other state is lower than Mississippi in percent of the population who believes gay marriage.  In Utah (44th) only 22% believe in gay marriage.  How sad is that fact?  But with the amount of money they put in California regarding Prop8 it shouldn’t be surprised.

It is an interesting list and I encourage you check it out!  Thanks again.

“Washington DC Bound”

 

Changes….

I really am sorry that I haven’t been writing more often.  One of my New Year Resolutions is to become a writer that writes on a regular basis.  To this end, I resolve to make a post EVERY WEDNESDAY.  I have really been wanting to become a regular poster, but my time has been so limited.  Unfortunately it is still limited.  I’m teaching several classes online and face-to-face.

This semester I made a detailed scheduled and Wednesdays are my “blogging” nights.

On that end, let me finish this post by talking about my interesting situation.  Most people that are atheists (like me) and who are gay (like me) take the default position of “Democrat.”  I do not.  Neither party has done enough in my opinion to earn my full support.  On the side of the Republicans, they understand personal responsibility, economics, and personal property.  I can never get my liberal friends to understand the simple concept that MY MONEY is MY MONEY.  I don’t OWE the federal government A SINGLE DIME.  Increased taxes….yes, even on the rich, in not fair, moral, or in any way ok.  Any other normal person must live on the money they take in.  So should the government that represents us.  This is the positives for the Republicans.

The Democrats understand that my lifestyle is entirely my business.  I’ve never understood why Republicans are so anti-gay marriage.  What is the big deal really?  In the words of Bill Maher, “what, so now they can have BBQs and argue over money.”  Republicans just don’t get it and I am worried they never will.

Against them both, neither embraces Atheism.  Now, I know some of my atheist friends will take exception to the fact that NEITHER party represents Atheists.  They are set to the default position that Democrats are for everyone and of course….they are not.  How many times have you heard Democrats and Republicans BOTH praise god for their accomplishments or please that they are “church going christians.”  Yes, even the Democrats don’t have the Atheist’s back regardless of what you may perceive as a large tent.  We atheists fall outside that tent.

As an atheist, I have to vote for the candidate that represents the better PERSON for the job rather than the party.  I know Republicans who will never vote for a Democrat and Democrats who will never vote for a Republican.  In actuality NEITHER party is any better than any other.

So who gets the votes?  The Republican, who shares my point of view on national security, economics, and personal responsibility or the Democrat who (kinda) understands the fact that equality means for everyone.  How about we vote for the person who is honest and tells the truth.  How about we vote for a candidate that keeps his/her campaign promises?

Finally, do I agree 100% with either party?  No.  Do I think one party is better for me than another?  I honestly have to say yes.

The moral – vote.  Vote in every election no matter how small.

Good bye DADT

I hope you rest in peace with the slavery laws, the Jim Crow laws, the prohibition laws, and the laws against women’s right to vote and own property.  All of these were signs of progress and I believe that DADT is also another milestone on the road to further progress and enlightenment.

I can only hope next will be to make marriage in all 50 states legal and recognized.  Being from a southern “bible belt” state, can be completely overwhelming and as of right now, I believe I’ve made the decision to move to a state where gay marriage is legal and my partner and I (of 19 years) can not only get married but adopt as well.

On a completely sad and pathetic note, if you haven’t checked out the comments section of the DADT story at fox news it is worth it.

Here are some of the funnier/sad/pathetic/homophobic/ignorant (the list could go on forever) things that our CHRISTIAN friends are saying.  Doesn’t sound too christ-like to me…

I am so disgusted with this. There goes our army. Our army stands for descency and the American way and today it was stepped on, raped, spit on by Obama and his democrats. The Lame Duck Congress should be eliminated after an election. I hope Republicans once get a hold in office, bring back Dont Ask Dont Tell.

 

Homosexauality is an immoral disgusting sin. All gays desreve AIDS.

 

The typical democratic lawmaker of today is a man wholly devoid of principle, a mere counter in a grotesque and knavish game. After approving of having homosexuals openly serve in the military…what’s next…some slight pressure could be applied to him he would be cheerfully in favor of cannibalism.

I believe the destruction of America was well underway before our military was turned into a bed of perversion and depravity.

 

And that is a SMALL taste of what is there!  Check it out…

 

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/12/22/obama-signs-dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal/#ixzz18sgSHO9l

 

 

One of the Best Bible Contradiction Videos Out There!

ExChristian.Net

ExChristian.Net.