I don't think there can be a productive discussion when the other side just claims that we must be twisting and rejecting the Scripture. The arrogance is astounding to me, honestly. I don't claim they are the ones actually twisting or rejecting. I give them the benefit of the doubt and say they are simply interpreting it differently (as many denominations do on a number of things). It seems on this issue, though, that some are incapable of being gracious. FTR, I am not twisting Scripture to fit my needs. If I felt I could so, so many things would be easier. I also am most definitely not rejecting Scripture. I have merely come to a different conclusion than you. It's actually not much different than what many Christian denominations do about many things. I also don't claim to be 100% right on anything or claim that's just the way things are period. I know I can easily be proven wrong when I stand before God. I'm also really sick and tired of the, "it's only the act and not the person", junk. The ones posting here may not be involved in the politics of it but those that are use those same words. And they use them to discriminate, hate, and hurt.

My grandfather was the only one of his many siblings to even survive the Great Depression. Yet, he was obese for as long as I can remember. He lived to be 93 and didn't even officially retire until 85. He was very active and healthy but also very overweight. I don't think comparing people who lived through horrible times is really going to accomplish much. I found the article really interesting. Thanks!

I, nor anyone I know, has ever been asked to provide high school transcripts for a job. I find it especially dumb if they are from that long ago and since then you've been certified as a pharmacy tech.

Thank you! The work load is my concern and this is my kid who puts a lot of pressure on herself in regards to school. She likes to be challenged but she expects so much of herself. In addition to the AP classes she would have Pre-Calc and German 3. Then, there's two electives thrown in. I guess adding AP Chem wouldn't be too much, though, if it would mostly be review. I am going to talk with her about meeting with those teachers and feeling them out a bit or, at least, talking to other students who have taken them.

I think the 10 Commandments is pretty much accepted as truth by all Christian denominations. Adultery made the top 10 but nowhere on that list does it say to not be gay. The various Christian denominations have varying beliefs and some within those denominations come to a different conclusion. Some churches say no drinking. Some churches say no dancing. Some say no birth control. They all feel they back these things up with scripture and some in those churches come to a different conclusion. It doesn't make them less of a Christian. Churches once used scripture to say all sorts of things were okay that we are disgusted by now. Many look back and wonder how anyone believed those things, but many did. I think my grandchildren are going to look back at what's going on now and have those same feelings. At least, I hope they do.

Some of you are continuing to talk of Christians who know they are sinning and continue to willfully do so. You seem to be missing the point that some Christians truly believe it is not a sin. They aren't choosing to sin. They have studied, received counsel, have prayed, and have come to a different conclusion than you. So, they really don't need you to continue to preach at them. I don't know why it's so hard to accept that.

Oldest dd has never really been in love with science. This year, in ps, she absolutely loves her Honors Chemistry class and her teacher. She's had a solid A all year. She found out he is teaching AP Chemistry as well and wants to change from Honors Physics to AP Chem for her junior year. She took Honors Biology in 9th and ended with an A but hated it. She only needs three science credits for an Honors diploma but could still take Honors Physics her senior year. She has no interest, at this time, in a STEM career as she's mostly all about English and writing. Her other AP classes so far have been History and next year for 11th she is adding an AP English class. So, would it look okay for her to take Honors Chem and then AP Chem? I've heard AP Chem is tough so does it sound like too much for junior year to take AP US History, AP English Comp, and AP Chem? Does it seem okay to then go back to Honors Physics for senior year? Is that 4th year of science, or at least Physics, needed for someone who has no interest in a STEM career or diploma? She's our oldest so this is all new and I don't have a lot of faith in the guidance counselor at school.

I'll be honest and say I don't understand why people feel this way. He's not saying he agrees. He's only showing that people can be friends and be different. It seems like the kind of thing I worked at teaching my dds from birth.

But you think it's OK to repeatedly point out they don't agree and that she is sinning? What is that called if someone does that? There's no need for anyone to behave that way and if they choose to do so, we will distance ourselves. I could see them saying it ONE time and us ignoring it and moving on. If it's repeated and she is treated differently or negatively after that, then we distance ourselves.

I don't think I can control anything but if they repeatedly feel a need to point out they don't agree we would all back away from them. Dh, younger dd, and myself are all in full support of oldest. Oldest being an adult won't change how I feel about other family putting her and her choices down all the time.

The two states my dds have attended for middle and high school don't give much credit for homework in math classes. Tests count for 80% of their grade. Quizzes, projects, and homework count for the other 20%. Homework is only looked at for a completion grade.

Well, considering people, even Christians, can't agree on what the Bible actually says about divorce I don't find it surprising. We've had threads here on this board where people think they are justified for divorcing and remarrying due to adultery but think people like my mom who divorced and remarried because her first husband beat the crap out of her should not have. That kind of thinking is ridiculous to me.

I didn't realize how much I did when he was gone until he started working from home. Now I feel like a slug and have to figure out how to manage.

And that may be why opposing views are hard for you to understand. I don't only surround myself with those that believe as I do. If I did, I would have written off many good friends and family. I also wouldn't be married. Dh was an atheist when we married. He didn't start believing in God until we found the Catholic Church. We just had a conversation about it and he said it's one of the reasons he's so happy he married me. I loved him even though he didn't believe as I did. I never gave up hope that he might one day either but I was never preachy to him. I just lived as I felt I should. I think there is lots to learn from those who believe differently than we do.

As far as acting or faking. I admit I will expect it of my mom and siblings if dd ever feels comfortable coming out to them. They don't have to actually agree or accept her lifestyle but they can't be rude to her. They can't tell her she's choosing to live a sinful life and start treating her differently. They don't have to be positive about it but they can't be negative either. Dh, both dds, and I would start seriously limiting our time with them if that happened.

I definitely felt shocked, confused, and sad when dd told us she was gay. I'm sure some of that was visible to her. But I tried hard not to let her see too much of it and I made sure she knew I loved and supported her. I was mostly upset because of what I felt she would end up going through because of other people. That part has been even harder than I imagined. I don't have a problem with people feeling those things at first. I don't understand it interfering with your actual relationship with your child because you think what they're doing is so wrong.

I still don't get it. I would rather my husband leave me but still be alive. I especially don't get anyone thinking that way if children are involved.

Yeah, I'm confused by that as well. My parents divorced. My dad is dead. I'd rather have them divorce numerous times but have him still here. I don't get that part.

The Catechism also says... 2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. I don't see, at all, that others are trying to avoid discriminating against them. I do not see them being accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Don't use the Catechism to only get one point of your argument across. I am following my faith in that I am not discriminating. I respect my dd and I show her compassion and sensitivity. You have no idea what it is like yet you talk on here as if you are some authority on how it should be. You have no clue. Yet, somehow, your brand of Christianity must say it's okay to continue to tell others they are wrong. I can't imagine being a part of something that tells me it's wrong to continue to love and support my own child for only being guilty of being born differently.

I, personally, do not believe it is a sin for her to date or marry. So, I disagree with the church on that one. It doesn't mean I quit going. I grew up in a Baptist Church that believed drinking alcohol was a sin as well as dancing. No one in my family agreed with the church or followed those rules but we were still a big part of our church community. My siblings and mom still are and they still don't agree with the church on those issues. It's one small part of it all.

I actually said our priest was awesome. He told my dd she is a loved and welcome member of the church. They both agreed that some people are born gay. Where they diverge is acting upon it. He told her to continue to pray and study, which she does. If she decides to date and/or marry, it will be because she's come to a different conclusion than our church. She can continue in our church even then, but she may choose a different one. She may choose a more accepting one. I am fine either way. My mom didn't freak out when I told her I was leaving the Baptist Church to become Catholic. She's even come with us occasionally. I don't expect to get upset if either dd chooses a different church when they are older.

I have two teens. Besides what I mentioned above, they also enjoy Hitchcock movies. Honestly, dd and her friends (all 15+) seem to get a kick out of watching old Disney movies. We allow more in our home but they often end up watching those. They also enjoy brat pack movies- Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, etc. - but I know which parents don't allow those so they are not always allowed. ETA: They also like those grounded in reality. They recently watched October Sky.

Ella Enchanted Princess Bride

I liked this post earlier today but I was out and about and wanted to come back to say, "Thank you!". I do often find it interesting that people equate accepting a non straight child as being a family where anything goes. It's just not the case. I think we look like a rather normal family (except we chose to home school through elementary school). We have rules, we attend church every week, we spend time together, our dds are good students, etc, but we also happen to have a gay child. I never expected to find myself here but here I am.

Or, we both do what our hearts and God tell us to do and react out of love. We continue to support and be there for each other. We each get where we're going and are rewarded for our faith and love later. I'm not going to keep going round and round on this. This is my life. This is my child. I absolutely refuse to turn my back on her and not be involved in it simply because she is gay. Others may feel differently and I hope it works out for them.