Tifoso Lou said:
Again, if I've offended you, I sincerely apologize.
I, in my faith tradition, think of ALL men and women as my brothers and sisters.
Homosexuality is not "good" for you, though. Homosexuals have many times the level of depression, suicide, and mental illness compared to the general population. (I am not saying that you do, Erik, OK? I pray that you do not.)
It would be similar to saying that people that are overweight have many times the level of heart disease, diabetes, etc of the general population.
Neither of those are moral judgements; but both happen to be true.
Please, I do not mean to offend you. Honestly.
I'm not offended Lou; I'm a bit stronger than that I'm glad to say.
However, your comparison doesn't quite stack up. Overweight is directly linked to other physical problems through medical links that can be scientifically proven.
But did you ever stop to think the rates of depression and suicide amongst homosexuals is higher than among the general population because they (except in the Netherlands) don't possess the same rights as the rest of the general population, get discriminated against, sometimes even tortured or sentenced to death?
Even in the Netherlands, where the suicide and depression rate amongst homosexuals has balanced out to the population's average; I've seen examples of my theory.
I myself have only come across supportive and positive reactions when I came out to family and friends. However, a friend of mine received judgemental and discriminating reactions from his family. He was even banned from his church and ended up in depression because of it. If not for help and respect from me, his sister and two other friends, he would probably have killed himself.
Now tell me if 'rising high' has suddenly become a very relative term, Lou. Because from where I'm standing; urging others to ignore their sexuality when you have no idea what it's like is sinking very, very low.