Wednesday, January 23, 2008


Your Homosexuality Compassion Compass

Law and Order SVU had a great episode on a couple of weeks ago. Since watching it I have been second guessing myself: Should I share my thoughts with the world or should I just ignore that little man on my shoulder who has been encouraging me to share my feelings and commentary? The little man was the winner of my internal battle, and as a result of Dick Wolf’s brilliancy I have decided to step out there knowing that what I write on this subject could offend and also confirm someone’s thoughts/beliefs.

Let’s begin with a brief synopsis of the episode. (If I have the details wrong please let me know, but my 'survey' still should have legitimacy and merit).

The Show:

A woman is severely beaten-up by her brother-in-law. She is pregnant. She is hospitalized. While in the hospital her husband discovers that she has been a research participant for a study. The study: A genetic testing to determine if her child will be gay/homosexual or not. She is aware that her brother-in-law is gay, but not out of the closet. The test/study reveals that her un-born boy will be a homosexual. Her husband is not pleased with the test outcome. Actually, he is furious. As a result he demands an abortion; and he has full authority over the decision because his wife is in a vegetative state due to severe head trauma. So, he decides to abort. His reasoning: reckless homophobia, hatred of gays, and a non-interest in his son having to be tormented by a society that believes homosexuality is a 'foolish' lifestyle selection.

Question:

Do you believe the majority of the people in the United States would prefer to abort or will abort the child if he/she had complete/100% accurate/binding evidence that their child will be gay?

To begin the dialogue here is my honest answer/response:

I believe the American masses would select to abort. I believe most people worldwide would prefer the abortion route. In numerous countries being gay is against the law. Also, in some countries the people are so 'disgusted' with homosexuality that some gay men have been murdered in one of the most horrific ways possible e.g. burned to death. Also, to make it a little more personal - I would... I am not going to tell!

If you are stuck on my personal inclination (abortion conversation) you are ready to judge me. Don't pass judgment. Unrelenting, self-righteous, ignorant, and non-caring judgment hinders effective communication.

What say you?

Written by Muata. Inspired by Mr. Dick Wolf, the creator and executive producer of the longest running television show in history, Law and Order.

25 comments:

MUATA NOWE said...

Reader Responds:

If the segregationist had been given abortion as an option, they would have aborted all black babies. Fortunately we had leaders such as Dr. King to help set us free from the unenlightened ones. Slowly (very slowly) Dr. King's dream of full freedom for all is being realized.

Just as people of color are all intentionally created by God, so too are homosexuals. Homosexuals contribute to the world in exciting, meaningful, and creative ways just as we do.

The solution to discrimination is not to prevent homosexuals from entering the world, but to work to open the world to total acceptance of all of God's children. Parents of homosexual children can see themselves as human vessels through whom God is working to achieve this goal. If I were the parent of a homosexual child I would offer myself as a model for how to raise God's gift to the world so that my child would live with total inner confidence and self-esteem, knowing he/she is created in the image of God.

-Reverend 1

MUATA NOWE said...

Muata Responds to Reverend 1:

Reverend 1:

Thanks for responding.

Of course this is another tactic used to make people uncomfortable. I really believe we need to get uncomfortable at times to address critical issues appropriately. Not to the point of bickering, but a little dialogue with passion serves us all well. It does for me and most of the people I know.

I wonder if the majority of Americans view homosexuality as some sort of defection? If they do this could be the reason that many people will select to abort the child. I am assuming that they view homosexuality along the lines of a birth defect. Countless people abort children because they have been told the fetus has multiple birth defects. If a person decides to abort for this reason I see it as a selfish reason: Not interested in undertaking the burden of raising a child with a birth defect. Or, it could be a person selecting to abort because he/she believes the child will have to live a life of discomfort (physical and psychological) that could generate constant ridicule.

-Muata

MUATA NOWE said...

Reverend 1 Responds to Muata:

Muata-

It was bold of you to raise the issue. The black church and community acts as though not discussing homosexuality will somehow make it go away. I do not know what the numbers are on Americans who believe homosexuality is a choice. I do think more people are beginning to accept the medical and scientific community's research that this is simply who some persons are from birth. There is nothing negative about it. Dr. Alice McNair, a former Divinity School Professor, said she believes homosexuals are ultimately superior to heterosexuals because they operate more fully out of both sides of the brain. I have always had gay friends and I think she could be on to something. Church people who are open to research are still hesitate to openly acknowledge such thinking. And don't get me started about in the closet pastors.

-Reverend 1

MUATA NOWE said...

Muata Responds to Reverend 2:

Reverend 2-

Question:

Do you believe a scientific cure needs to be developed to "cure" homosexuals?

Just asking. This is what I gathered from your first paragraph.

-Muata

MUATA NOWE said...

Reverend 2 Responds to Muata:

Muata-

No - you misunderstood my statement. I simply meant that with all the push to abort, what IF GOD IS TRYING TO SEND us the child to cure REAL medical disesase like cancer, aids, lukemia, sickle cell, etc. and we MISS IT because we aborted the child over a STUPID & MISGUIDED premise that the child may be gay. SO WHAT!! Who made us judge over the character and worth of a person based on personal opinions and "misused" medical science?

Hope this clears it up. Blessings!

-Reverend 2

MUATA NOWE said...

Muata Responds to Reverend 2:

Reverend 2:

Judgement??

When is judgement appropriate? Or, is it ever appropriate?

-Muata

MUATA NOWE said...

Reader Responds, Muata asks a question, and then Reader responds:

Muata-

In my opinion they would select abortion.

-PM

PM-

Do you consider homosexuality as a defection?

-Muata

Muata-

Not for me to judge.

-PM

MUATA NOWE said...

Reader Response:

I would abort, no angst about it either. No emotional breakdown because of it, and no gut wrenching sleepless nights.

Since I think people should choose to abort for other reasons in general, I definitely think that one should weigh what life would be like for that child; adolescent/teen; young adult if they knew that child would be homosexual. Too many people are selfish & have children for their own reasons. To keep a man, or to give that man his "own" child. To continue a legacy, a family name, or because they're in-love, and want to symbolize it with an offspring. Never mind lending any real consideration to the fact that they barely get along & seem to only stomach each other while having sex, or of more importance...that sickle cell runs rampant on one side of the union, along with bipolar disorders, eczema and a bunch of other shit that they are putting on this unborn child, for what?? simply because I love her? or because I love him? I think there has to be bigger reasons than the ones we presently use as quantifiers. I wouldn't have any more children because the world isn't worthy of them. The world isn't a place for them. The impending dangers, continuous unjust & unfair practices & treatment that lie around the corner for them on every level imaginable would be enough to stifle any future thoughts of reproduction. Had youth not been wasted on me while young, I would have rethought many things, including parenthood.

Only parents know the bittersweet experience that is born out of it. Sure you've created this being you love unconditionally (usually/hopefully), and all your time is spent teaching, training and preparing them for all the pitfalls to avoid, etc. You invest so much, and yet still have to "hope" for the best for them. When your child struggles with anything, you feel for them. When your kid kept falling & bruising his knee while trying to learn to ride a bike, you were there hopeful, but you felt his frustration, and when you saw how hard he hit the pavement on that last go round, you hurt for him. Now try wrestling a bigger issue such as homosexuality. We can barely get an adequate grasp around heterosexuality and our children. I would not want that level of pain & turmoil involved for my child, which seems to go hand in hand with being homosexual. Some issues self imposed & some a result of societal confines. Why choose a hard way to go for all involved?

“if science could provide complete/100% accurate/binding evidence that a child will be gay, wouldn't that alter people's perceptions of the entire thing?” -
Well, thus possibly making it easier for future generations of homosexuals? Since people have held fast that it is a choice.

MUATA NOWE said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
MUATA NOWE said...

Reader Responds:

My first thoughts were to abort. Then I really thought about the question and pondered another one as well.

If I knew my baby had another birth defect like downs syndrome or some other deformity would I abort?

Then, my mind wondered back to my Biological Science class I took in college on Saturday mornings. I will NEVER take another Saturday class again….LOL! I remember the professor’s lecture of chromosomes and how one chromosome attached to one another differently can cause abnormalities. Each child, person is made up of chromosomes from their mother and father.

Definition of chromosomes: “One of the threadlike "packages" of genes and other DNA in the nucleus of a cell. Different kinds of organisms have different numbers of chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, 46 in all: 44 autosomes and two sex chromosomes. Each parent contributes one chromosome to each pair, so children get half of their chromosomes from their mothers and half from their fathers”.

So to answer your question: No, I would not abort my baby. My baby is half of me and half of my mate and no “defect” can ever change that. I will LOVE my child and let him or her know that they are special and loved. I will let him or her know that God loves them no matter what this world may say or think of him or her.

When you really get down to homosexuality the only difference is sexual preference. Would I murder my baby that is half me and half my mate over their sexual preference? No!

-Freedom

MUATA NOWE said...

Muata Responds to Freedom, conversation continues:

Do you consider homosexuality as a defection?

-Muata

Muata-

I do consider homosexuality as a defection because offsprings cannot be produced from this sexual preference. Now if offsprings could be produced from same sex encounters, then No I would not see this as an defection.

Other species and plants can reproduce from same sex behavior or just from themselves, but human beings cannot. I find that very interesting.

-Freedom

Freedom-

So if it is a defection in your mind, why not do what several to-be parents do: Abort because the fetus will have birth defects? Children are aborted daily because a parent is told the child will be born with three limbs and/or with a handicap. Why not abort if the child is a destine homosexual?

-Muata

Muata-

What if the test was wrong and the child does not have a birth defect? What if you kill your baby and then the woman has more complications from the abortion than if she would have had the child? What about loving your child no matter what?

Yes, it would be hard, but if that is the card life dealt you a baby with a birth defect than I know God will give you the strength to make it. To give life to a "misfit" and love because your baby is a half you and half your mate.

I am not countless other people I am ME, MYSELF, and I....Freedom. However, I would discuss this with my mate and we would make this important desicion together. I definitely would not ignore his concerns and feelings because we both would be in the raising of this child together.

I will LOVE this child from my heart. This child is half me and half my mate and I will show and tell this child how love feels and express it through my mouth and actions.

Who knows what significance this child will have on society and his or her parents.

-Freedom

MUATA NOWE said...

Reader Response:

Muata-

Great topic. Black people need to address this.

-Reverend 3

Reverend 3-

Yes, we do. I am amazed by how we have yet to embrace homosexuals in the church.

-Muata

Muata-

Perhaps us churchgoers are bound by our scripture.

-Reverend 3

Reverend 3-

That is an issue. Scripture is killing us! According to your bible homosexuals are DEFECTIONS. Now, that is a scripture that we need to examine.

-Muata

Muata-

We sure do. Thanks for the dialogue. Know that I am in your corner!

-Reverend 3

MUATA NOWE said...

Reader Responses:

You are trippin'.

-CT

Remove me from you distribution list. My initials are XXX!

-XXX

Good topic.

-BE

How often do you write? You set around and watch tv all day to come up with this stuff?

-AL

I plan to share with my gay friends. Should I give them you email address?

TB

MUATA NOWE said...

Reader Response:

I have to admit that you have more courage than I do. I have been preaching for two years, and I have not talked about homosexuality in my church because I am afraid of the backlash. United Methodist Conservatism! Keep it up. Can I use this writing to form my sermon when and if I preach on the subject?

-V*

Freedom In Christ said...

This may be a little off the subject matter, but I think these questions and analysis still pertains to the material that is being discussed. Some people are simply living out there fantasies:

What are our fantasies? If we were granted our deepest most intimate burning fantasies what would they be?

Have we really taken the time to actually think about what we really want?

Seriously, what are your desires, wishes, wants and fantasies?

Once we have fulfilled them, how do you think it would make us feel?

How do we think we would feel about ourselves and our choices?

Would it be everything we dreamed it would be or would we want a do over?

I was just pondering these questions in my head. If I could have my deepest fantasies fulfilled, then what?

Life is so much more than just having our fantasies fulfilled. It’s giving an encouraging word. Helping others. Loving ourselves. Communicating with our God. Showing and expressing Love. Being spontaneous!

What about loving people in spite of what they have done to us? No, you don’t have to like their ways, but you must love them. How about loving people that are different from us? I too struggle with this form of love from time to time. I know this can be difficult to achieve. I do understand that. But we must try.

Love does not pick and choose whom to love it just loves unconditionally. Love loves everything and everyone in its path. Regardless of sexual preference. That’s why it is called LOVE.

LOVE is universal.

-Freedom

SuzieD said...

Homosexuality is not genetically determined. It is a behavorial choice. People are born with such immutably genetic descriptives as eye color, hair color, ethnicity, skin color, etc. But behavior and lifestyle are choices made by the individual. Hence, homosexual behavior is something a person chooses to engage in; NOBODY is born gay. First of all I would not get any genetic testing on my unborn child;therefore, I would never have a reason to abort. However, once my child reached the age of accountability and decided to be a homosexual, I would do everything within my power to get help for him, and if he refused help, I would still love him, but could never accept his wicked lifestyle choice.

MUATA NOWE said...

Muata Responds to Suzied:

So, homosexuality is a "wicked lifestyle choice"?

If you believe this, what is your justification? How did you come to this understanding? What makes the behavior/lifestyle wicked?

Aren't homosexuals loving and caring for each other as heterosexuals do? When/where does the lifestyle become wicked?

-Muata

SuzieD said...

I live my life by what the Word of God declares, and God declares in His Word in several passages, both Old and New Testments that for a man to lie with a man as he would a woman is abomination. (Leviticus 20:13-16, Romans 1:24-32, I Cor. 6:9-11)I didn't write the Book, God did. God loves homosexuals, just like he loves everybody else. But because He is holy He must judge sin, and according to God's Word, homosexuality is sin.Some might try to justify this behavior by saying that they love each other just like heterosexuals do. I'm not familiar with the dynamics involved in homosexuals' affections for each other, but I do know that God created us male and female for a purpose. We complement each other. Male and female intercourse is the only way God designed for us to reproduce ourselves. Both in the human world and in the animal kingdom. We can not justify aberrant behavior just because if "feels" good. In their own twisted minds it "feels" good to pedophile to love little children, but does that make it right? No, because God says it's wrong. Because human reasoning is so flawed, and we are weak through the flesh, we must depend on what God says because He is God, and he is infallible. And the infallible, all-knowing, Holy and Righteous God says that homosexuality is SIN, period.

MUATA NOWE said...

Muata responds to Suzied:

Declaring the bible is written by God indicates a limited scope of theology, and possibly a skewed view of reality. (not trying to be offensive)

Do you honestly believe God wrote the bible? Do you truly believe He inspired men to write it?


To some people, the bible is the view of men who wrote in a way to support their understanding of the world at the time. Their justification for their reality in their present.


Saying and believing that the bible is God's inherent word does nothing for critical thinking or mind expansion. What you have done is shut all of us down who do not believe as you do.

Also, if the bible is the word of God please help me understand why this God you referenced sanctioned murder and all other devastating acts mentioned in the bible. While I do agree that the scripture you referenced is an image of my beliefs, however I come to this based on my understanding of nature (procreation), and not because some book full of ridiculous jargon and propaganda says so.

My book has a chapter dedicated to this dialogue. Please consider reading it. Not because I am refuting what you have written, but for a different well thought out point of view that makes a whole lot of sense if you are willing to remove your faith lenses for 70 plus pages of dynamic and powerful commentary.

Under my my Profile I indicate where you can purchase a copy of my book.

Who determines what a sin is?


-Muata

SuzieD said...

God determines what is sin(Rom 5:12-14), and YES, I do believe that the Bible is the Holy and inpired Word of God (II Tim 3:16). I believe it by faith. You mentioned that God sanctions murder in the Bible. Where? And it what context? You don't reference these devastating acts, so I can't address the ones you're talking about.

You also say that to some people the Bible is the the view of men who wrote to support their own understanding of the world. Well, anyone who believes that is entitled to that opinion,and I am not here to change what they believe. Everbody has a choice to believe whatever they want, and I respect their choice to do so. I too have a choice, and my choice is to believe the Word based on faith in God. You attack the Bible as being full of ridiculous jargon, well I could say the same about your book or any other book written by a mere man. You make the point that the men who wrote the Bible wrote it to support their own view, well I could make the same argument about your book and condemn it as being just propaganda as you have the Bible because isn't your book written by a man espousing his own agenda?

The point is I could read a thousand books (and I have as I am an avid reader of all types of literature)and it still won't change my faith because I have made a committment to my God just as millions of people of other religious beliefs have.

The problem I have with the homosexual agenda is just that, they have an agenda. And it is to change the minds of those who believe homosexuality to be sin. If a person wants to be a homosexual he has every right to be one. Go ahead live your life, but don't try to force me to accept a lifestyle that I believe to be wrong. And don't take away my right to embrace my beliefs just because they conflict with your choice.

MUATA NOWE said...

Muata responds to Suzied:

Religion has been an extremely powerful force throughout the world. It has caused countless wars, and people have been alienated and corrupted by a force (religion) that cannot be validated by reality. It is unfortunate that we (humans) are so weak that we have to put our belief and souls in something we cannot support with facts. The facts I am questioning are the facts that religion claim and purport daily. But, we believe because we have to have a reason for our existence. We have to give credit to a God for our life. Have you ever asked yourself WHY?

I respect the power of faith. People have been able to heal themselves by exercising faith. People have been able to remain strong under unbeatable odds because of this thing we call faith. But, we cannot substantiate our faith. All we have in the end is our FAITH. Therefore, you stating to me that you believe because of faith is perfectly fine with me - but demanding you believe and not allowing your faith to be tested is an issue. If our faiths were so strong, why in the world do we run and hide from other truths?

Below are a few other 'truths' from the book that your God "inspired/wrote". According to this, your God is ruthless and the epitome of what we believe to be evil if we apply the same standards of morals and what is right and wrong to man. Remember, this is the God you revere:

Exodus 35: 2 (murder)
Deuteronomy 7:1-2 (genocide)
Leviticus 20:13 (Homophobia)
Deuteronomy 22:20-21 (Misogyny)
John 12: 48 (Intolerance)

My book is an attempt to encourage Believers to see past their immediate knowledge. Typically, for the average Believer their knowledge does not include a theology that, in my opinion, challenges one to think beyond their Vacation Bible school teachings. With this limited scope: no questioning, no one interfaces with another truth that prompts critical thinking. We will say, 'I believe because of this and that' - but who among us believes as a result of soul searching and opposing the generic understanding of Christianity we have been spoon fed? What we are are sheep searching for a home. But, if we believe we are at home with this surface understanding of Christology we have in fact disappointed God. And, why have we disappointed God. Because we stopped working to please Him by settling for what a preacher and even a book (the bible) has told us.

-Muata

SuzieD said...

Like I stated in a previous post because God is Holy sin must be judged. All the scriptures you reference here are examples of punishments meted out as a direct result of disobedience, rebellion and sin on man's part and not because God is some cosmic Hitler.

One of the laws of nature is that for every action their is a consequence. Exodus 35:2 just reiterates to the children of Israel the serious consequences that sin produces.

Allow me to give you an analogy:

As parents, we are always warning our children about the dangers of this, that and the other thing and the consequences that would result if they engage in certain behaviors. There's this huge compaign in our society admonishing kids not to drink and drive because if they do either them or those riding with them will be killed. We tell small children not to play with matches or they will be burned. We warn them not to smoke because they will develop cancer and die. Hence, disobeying the wisdom of our parents puts us in danger of death. Well God does the same thing with His children. He's saying essentially that "if you disobey My commands, you put yourself in danger of death." But, of course the major difference between our parents and God is that God is sovereign, and human beings are not. Because He is sovereign, He can establish the law the way He sees fit, and not the way we think they it should be. When we expect God to exit His Holy throne and come down to the human level and be politically correct and tolerant and secular and think and act like we do, then he is no longer God. He's just a man. These are terms that we invented--not God. God operates on a level higher than what tolerance can produce, what secularism can produce. Although He is a God of Love and Mercy, His major attribute is, He is Holy. In Exodus 35:2, the law demanded death for certain levels of disobedience just as laws today demand death for certain crimes. Lev. 20:13 follows the same principle: disobedience will bring eventual death.

Furthermore, it can not be assumed by you or anyone else that just because I have a strong belief in God and the Bible that it is a result of my having been spoon fed doctrinally or that my beliefs are based strictly on what my preacher has told me. I can assure you that I am NOT some mindless drone tossed about with every wind and doctrine. I have carefully examined what I have been taught, and do not agree with every word that comes out of my Pastor's mouth. Just as I did not always agree with my Professors when I was in college.

And as for soul searching, I inventory my soul daily. My faith is based on my own personal experiences with God. And has been tried and tested and found TRUE! Referencing one of your earlier posts, you are obviously convinced that the Bible is nothing more than a bunch of ridiculous jargon written by ancient men who wanted to promote their own agenda. I respect your decision to believe what you choose and don't love you any less for it. I am certain that you are so firm in your convictions that you'll not allow anyone or anything to deter you from them. Well, I choose to believe the Word of God, and I have the courage to stand firm in my convictions no matter who or what opposes them. Therefore, I will let no false theology, no twisted doctrine,neither humanism, nor leaven of any kind deter me from my beliefs. Amen.

MUATA NOWE said...

Muata poses SEVERAL questions to Suzied:

Does your belief make sense? Do your beliefs fit into REALITY? Are the beliefs you have as simple as 2plus 2 equals 4? Can you substantiate your beliefs with facts? Can you go to a belief and prove that it is accurate/right based on what you have as proof?

If you are able to answer yes to all of the above, can you provide verifiable proof/justification?

We are told Jesus walked on water. We all know it is not possible to walk on water. We are told the Garden of Eden is a true story. Can we provide proof that the story occurred?

All of my questions are geared towards this: When I say that I am thinking in a theological capacity I mean that I am exploring critically. In my understanding the critical thinking I have done directs me to what is possible and/or real. For the Believer he/she cannot provide this support. I can. Because: No man has the power to part the Red Sea. It is not possible. But, when I say it is not possible science supports my statement.

Belief is weak in the science realm because it is based on faith, and not facts.

Also, regardless of the purpose of the punishment it is this God we believe in that sanctioned the punishment which means He stands behind it. So, I guess God goes around punishing people? If he does, why in world doesn't He punish all these men and women going around her killing people? Where is this God when our children are raped by evil men and women? Oh!, He is a God of freewill. Right? Believers want me to believe that God is involved in our lives. I wonder where He was at when some man three weeks ago threw his children off a bridge. But yet, we claim God is involved in our lives when and if we get a raise or when we receive a check in the mail. Didn't you work hard to get the raise?

Where is your God? If He is present it is because you make Him present, but is He really or is this your belief that He is? If He is present (in your mind), you cannot substantiate His involvement in your life.

This is not to take away your belief or ridicule your belief. I write all of this to justify that Believers' beliefs are based on faith and faith alone. Which is powerful to me, in the end - but somewhat useless if we can not substantiate.

-Muata

Freedom In Christ said...

Freedom responds to some questions Muata asked SuzieD:

I am astonished how God can show up in our lives and we remain unchanged. WE spew out the same rhetoric just to try to prove a point. Our lives are a product of our thoughts and it saddens me that God can physically show himself to us and yet we remain the same, unchanged. In my humble opinion, a change should occur, but what do I know. Right? All I have to say is that some of us will go to our graves with the same attitude and beliefs that we have. In addition, if God himself did use another to help us we still would not SEE his presence working and moving in our lives. To me that is the REAL tragedy.

“It is Finish” as Jesus, said when he died on the cross.

-Freedom

SuzieD said...

I too am astonished. Astonished that you assume that my life has not changed, especially considering that you don't know me now, and you didn't know me before Christ came into my life...I can assure you that He has changed me and made me a new creature in Christ Jesus. And Hallelujah for that!

However, I will not alter the convictions of my faith based on the personal opinions of a few bloggers bent on promoting a homosexual agenda. And for the record, when God sends someone in my life to "help me" as you put it, I have enough spiritual discernment to recognize it. And I recognize that it was not God who sent you or anybody else into my life to attempt to convince me to change my views (which I got from God's own Word)on homosexuality or any other abomination. Like I posted before God loves homosexuals; it is the homosexuality He hates because it is SIN. Just as God loves the murderer, but He hates murder. He loves the liar, but hates lying. In other words, he loves the sinner, but hates sin. Period. And that is the conclusion of the whole matter.