Apple CEO Tim Cook Publicly Comes Out as Gay in Letter Declaring Support for Equality

[gnasher729]

Being Hetertosexual is a natural occurrence in nature, we are born with the instinct to procreate.

Except that humans are a bit more complicated than you think.

And some serious scientists have figured out that a small percentage of gay men (that is men not interested in starting a family with a woman) is overall beneficial for a primitive society when it goes through hard times - more kids surviving a bad harvest if there is an uncle around who is willing to help out. So being homosexual is actually totally natural in small percentages, just as we have it now.

 

[melendezest]

You are correct. What you believe does not harm me. Unless you go out there and talk about how gays are bad, immoral, whatever. Imagine being a little gay kid and hearing this kind of stuff every day. Imagine how it would ruin your self esteem. Imagine how it would scar you for life. You can't. Because you're too busy trying to convince all of us that being gay is against gods plan. And sure, you're doing it in a nice enough way, but you're utterly clueless about how your words affect others. Or you don't care. Which has pretty much been my experience with religious people.

I'm sorry that your experience with religious people has been foul. To be honest, mine has been foul as well.

I, like Thomas Jefferson, consider myself to be a sect of one. This is because I believe the Bible, and I believe God when He says we have a direct connection with Him. No intermediary, like a priest, pope, medium, pastor, sifu, or whatever necessary.

I try to be very conscious of how my words affect others. This is probably why my posts are so long!

So, from my perspective, to tell someone that engaging in homosexual behavior (I said behavior mind you) is acceptable, is to ensure they are God's enemy. I cannot do that given my beliefs. It's akin to telling someone that smoking is harmless when I know this is not the case.

But the issue is that that is not the whole story. There is love, there is compassion, there is forgiveness. There may be ways around homosexual behavior. It just so happens that is the topic of this discussion. We could interchange this with any inclination that is in conflict with what God said is right.

The key is love. Not anger. Not hatred. Love. I don't know who God will forgive, or why. But I do know that He promises to do so, if we stick to His concepts.

My disregard for homosexual behavior does not prevent me from loving a gay person, or treating them kindly, or fairly, or with dignity. To do so would be in direct contravention with God's mandate to love your neighbor!

I have long considered the scenarios presented in many outlets. I admit this is not a simple issue (for me).

So, when in doubt, I stick to the basics:

Tell people God's truth, but be as gentle as I can about it. No convincing necessary.

Again, you are free to choose your way. I don't hold the whip, I hold the keys, if you want them.

 

[Oohara]

Good for you Tim, we're proud of you!!

 

[Digital Skunk]

But it is true; I never chose to be gay, nor did any of my countless gay friends. So don't try to turn sexual orientation/attraction in the "choice" category to justify hate or religious objections. You never chose to be straight. There is no "community to join" LOL. Like I got recruited or something.. pathetic.

And like my countless gay friends that DID choose to be gay, you're being as close minded as those that think being gay is a sin or against nature.

There's also this nice read.

Also, as is typical of some of the people that think like you, you rush to throw the "religion" thing in someone's face as if i ever mentioned I was a religious person.

As another poster said, you need to be more tolerant and stop thinking tolerance is a one way street.

Otherwise, bigoted statements like your original one will just continue.

Also, as has been documented heavily, people like you tend to forget the B and T side of the LGBT community . . . . as you did in your original statement.

 

[brianvictor7]

Oh yes, by all means, let's live like the bible. Let's stone people. Let's force women to marry their rapists. There's so much good stuff in that book!!!

Stone who? Rapists? I'm quite for that. I cannot think of a more heinous crime.

Where do you see the Bible forcing women to marry rapists? Are you referring to Exodus 22:16-17? It says “If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride price for her and make her his wife. If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride price for virgins."

This doesn't refer to a woman being forced to marry her rapists. It does tell her to do what her father says and since the Bible commands men to love their children, it would be convoluted logic indeed for a father to justify making his daughter marry someone she does not wish to.

See here for more on the topic: http://www.gotquestions.org/Deuteronomy-22-28-29-marry-rapist.html

 

[robbyx]

For someone who 'doesn't care', you sure seem to be focused on it pretty hard.

Typical. The ones most conflicted about their own sexuality are always the ones who claim they "don't care" while totally fixating on the subject. It's so transparent.

 

[glxyjones]

See - this is just the typical response. Take an hour and go read the internet. Get educated. Why should I have to educate you on a major social issue - especially one that intimately involves you? When you understand others you are more likely to be able to persuade them. As we can see on this board hate and ignorance from either side is incredibly unpersuasive.

I also did not say it was my opinion. Just educated people or at least people that pretend learn about more than one side of an issue.

Knock yourself out: www.google.com. Its not that hard.

I am Googling away and the only argument that I can find that might not be 100% based off a religious bias the belief that homosexual parents would not be good for the children (which I believe to be ridiculous). Please just give me 1 legitimate reason to be against gay marriage that has nothing to do with religion. Hell, just give me the correct Google query and I'll find it myself.

 

[tbrinkma]

That was tongue in cheek and you know it.

Actually, no. And the fact that we *couldn't* tell that was "tongue in cheek" next to the rest of your posts on the subject should really tell you something.

 

[jimbobb24]

Wrong. You're the bigot who said there are hundreds of reasons that have nothing to do with God for why gay marriage shouldn't be legal. It's on YOU to explain yourself. So don't be a coward and tell him to use Google. Name some reasons.

I apologize for my poor phrasing - there exist hundreds of proposed reasons that do not involve appeals to God for why gay marriage should be opposed. Not my reasons. But I know them because...its a major social issue and I try to learn about major social issues.

As far as your claiming I am a bigot for thinking there were hundreds of reasons (again not my reasons), if they were my reasons that would not make me a bigot. That would make me someone who disagreed with you. Again, thinking people who disagree with you are bigots is the product of an extremely narrow mind. Its lazy and sloppy thinking, but when people are passionate I can understand how they get that way. You can see on this very board the parallel of people who are bigoted against gays in the same way you are bigoted against people who have reasons for opposing gay marriage. Two ignorant sides of the same coin.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I'm sorry that your experience with religious people has been foul. To be honest, mine has been foul as well.

I, like Thomas Jefferson, consider myself to be a sect of one. This is because I believe the Bible, and I believe God when He says we have a direct connection with Him. No intermediary, like a priest, pope, medium, pastor, sifu, or whatever necessary.

I try to be very conscious of how my words affect others. This is probably why my posts are so long!

So, from my perspective, to tell someone that engaging in homosexual behavior (I said behavior mind you) is acceptable, is to ensure they are God's enemy. I cannot do that given my beliefs. It's akin to telling someone that smoking is harmless when I know this is not the case.

But the issue is that that is not the whole story. There is love, there is compassion, there is forgiveness. There may be ways around homosexual behavior. It just so happens that is the topic of this discussion. We could interchange this with any inclination that is in conflict with what God said is right.

The key is love. Not anger. Not hatred. Love. I don't know who God will forgive, or why. But I do know that He promises to do so, if we stick to His concepts.

My disregard for homosexual behavior does not prevent me from loving a gay person, or treating them kindly, or fairly, or with dignity. To do so would be in direct contravention with God's mandate to love your neighbor!

I have long considered the scenarios presented in many outlets. I admit this is not a simple issue (for me).

So, when in doubt, I stick to the basics:

Tell people God's truth, but be as gentle as I can about it. No convincing necessary.

Again, you are free to choose your way. I don't hold the whip, I hold the keys, if you want them.

So, you use mythology as a smoke screen to cover your own bigotry against homosexuals. Check.

 

[melendezest]

Whoa, there's more than one? How do you know you are following the right one?

For me, the answer has been a lifelong process.

In computer-nerd speak, I'd say it's similar to a "public/private key" exchange.

The real question is, how do you?

 

[iPad Air]

Maybe someday you will have a homosexual child and your eyes will open to the real world.

Homosexuality does not come natural. LOL, it is not even natural! Children are not born homosexual. Children are born with the same NATURAL desire as animals! This is very elementary. I am telling you now, a male deer is NOT going to seek after another male deer. We can look at nature all around us as a stunning example!

 

[Happybunny]

Right. Funny how straights keep making gay babies..........

Hey stop bringing LOGIC into this discussion immediately.

 

[Surf Monkey]

I apologize for my poor phrasing - there exist hundreds of proposed reasons that do not involve appeals to God for why gay marriage should be opposed. Not my reasons. But I know them because...its a major social issue and I try to learn about major social issues.

As far as your claiming I am a bigot for thinking there were hundreds of reasons (again not my reasons), if they were my reasons that would not make me a bigot. That would make me someone who disagreed with you. Again, thinking people who disagree with you are bigots is the product of an extremely narrow mind. Its lazy and sloppy thinking, but when people are passionate I can understand how they get that way. You can see on this very board the parallel of people who are bigoted against gays in the same way you are bigoted against people who have reasons for opposing gay marriage. Two ignorant sides of the same coin.

Your refusal to list even one of the reasons guts your argument.

 

[glxyjones]

Stone who? Rapists? I'm quite for that. I cannot think of a more heinous crime.

Where do you see the Bible forcing women to marry rapists? Are you referring to Exodus 22:16-17? It says “If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride price for her and make her his wife. If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride price for virgins."

This doesn't refer to a woman being forced to marry her rapists. It does tell her to do what her father says and since the Bible commands men to love their children, it would be convoluted logic indeed for a father to justify making his daughter marry someone she does not wish to.

See here for more on the topic: http://www.gotquestions.org/Deuteronomy-22-28-29-marry-rapist.html

Whatever your thoughts are on stoning rapists, surely we can all agree that adulterers should be put to death, right?!?! As stated in Leviticus 20:10.

*edit: Also, those who curses their father or mother. Wouldn't want to forget that one and let those disrespectful little brats go on living.

 

[robbyx]

I apologize for my poor phrasing - there exist hundreds of proposed reasons that do not involve appeals to God for why gay marriage should be opposed. Not my reasons. But I know them because...its a major social issue and I try to learn about major social issues.

As far as your claiming I am a bigot for thinking there were hundreds of reasons (again not my reasons), if they were my reasons that would not make me a bigot. That would make me someone who disagreed with you. Again, thinking people who disagree with you are bigots is the product of an extremely narrow mind. Its lazy and sloppy thinking, but when people are passionate I can understand how they get that way. You can see on this very board the parallel of people who are bigoted against gays in the same way you are bigoted against people who have reasons for opposing gay marriage. Two ignorant sides of the same coin.

And you're still too much of a coward to back anything up. Post some reasons instead of obfuscating. Or maybe you can't????

 

[brianvictor7]

I'm sorry that your experience with religious people has been foul. To be honest, mine has been foul as well.

I, like Thomas Jefferson, consider myself to be a sect of one. This is because I believe the Bible, and I believe God when He says we have a direct connection with Him. No intermediary, like a priest, pope, medium, pastor, sifu, or whatever necessary.

I try to be very conscious of how my words affect others. This is probably why my posts are so long!

So, from my perspective, to tell someone that engaging in homosexual behavior (I said behavior mind you) is acceptable, is to ensure they are God's enemy. I cannot do that given my beliefs. It's akin to telling someone that smoking is harmless when I know this is not the case.

But the issue is that that is not the whole story. There is love, there is compassion, there is forgiveness. There may be ways around homosexual behavior. It just so happens that is the topic of this discussion. We could interchange this with any inclination that is in conflict with what God said is right.

The key is love. Not anger. Not hatred. Love. I don't know who God will forgive, or why. But I do know that He promises to do so, if we stick to His concepts.

My disregard for homosexual behavior does not prevent me from loving a gay person, or treating them kindly, or fairly, or with dignity. To do so would be in direct contravention with God's mandate to love your neighbor!

I have long considered the scenarios presented in many outlets. I admit this is not a simple issue (for me).

So, when in doubt, I stick to the basics:

Tell people God's truth, but be as gentle as I can about it. No convincing necessary.

Again, you are free to choose your way. I don't hold the whip, I hold the keys, if you want them.

Very well put brother.

 

[tbrinkma]

just because it's in Wikipedia doesn't make it true!

And how about the 98 citations on that article? Do you have any evidence to dispute it, or are you just choosing to deny it because it doesn't fit your preconceived notions?

 

[whooleytoo]

How did this become a religious debate? Not everyone who's religious is homophobic. Not everyone who's homophobic is religious. Making this a religious debate is just throwing more negative generalisations into the mix and offending even more people.

I could just as easily say "America sounds very homophobic" and that might be true, but it achieves nothing other than adding more fuel to the fire.

 

[melendezest]

So, you use mythology as a smoke screen to cover your own bigotry against homosexuals. Check.

*Sigh*

Well, bigotry is an ugly word with way more attached to it than you care to expand on, it seems. And I've been more than clear that my focus is on the behavior, NOT the individuals.

So instead of "bigotry" I'd use "disagreement" instead.

But stick to your guns if you want to.

 

[Belly-laughs]

I certainly support him as CEO of Apple. But certainly don't support his homosexuality.

are you sure sexuality is something that actually requires support?

 

[mattster16]

I apologize for my poor phrasing - there exist hundreds of proposed reasons that do not involve appeals to God for why gay marriage should be opposed. Not my reasons. But I know them because...its a major social issue and I try to learn about major social issues.

As far as your claiming I am a bigot for thinking there were hundreds of reasons (again not my reasons), if they were my reasons that would not make me a bigot. That would make me someone who disagreed with you. Again, thinking people who disagree with you are bigots is the product of an extremely narrow mind. Its lazy and sloppy thinking, but when people are passionate I can understand how they get that way. You can see on this very board the parallel of people who are bigoted against gays in the same way you are bigoted against people who have reasons for opposing gay marriage. Two ignorant sides of the same coin.

Despite all your incoherent, illogical, mindless babble you have yet to provide a single of these 'hundreds' of reasons.

 

[shk718]

What does that even mean? You don't have to "support his homosexuality." You simply have to want for him the same rights anyone else has.

well said!

 

[AppleFan360]

In other words, I'm right.

You said someone being gay affects you, I asked you how. Now answer the question, or admit that someone being gay has no affect on you.

So if I don't take the time to debate you, you are automatically right? That's funny. Stupid, but funny.

Look, it doesn't really matter if I think homosexuality is wrong or not. I never said anything in this thread one way or the other. The pro-gay side seems to like putting words in people's mouth if they don't agree with what Cook did. All I was saying is that Cook officially coming out has nothing to do with making iPhones and iPads. If you read between the lines, the ONLY reason he did it was to set an example for gay people thus, pushing an agenda. Doesn't get any simpler than that.

Oh, and it doesn't change anything as far as buying Apple products. I was just in the Apple store today to pick up an Apple Sim Card (AT&T locked the one in my iPad) and as usual, had a wonderful experience. The employee even gave me a free Verizon card. Apple knows what they are doing with customer service so no matter if I'm anti or pro gay, Apple is still Apple. It's very easy to separate to two and least for me.

As someone stated before, this whole ordeal is more of a distraction than anything else. Shouldn't be news at all. Hopefully it will be gone in a few days so we can get on with things.

Cry about it

Let your pissy tears flow

Oh that's intelligent. What is this like the 5th grade or something?

 

[kdoug]

I wonder if they'll (Apple) go back to using the rainbow apple.