U.S. Senate Approves Anti-Discrimination Bill Endorsed by Tim Cook

[G51989]

It's all fun and games when you make fun of Christians. How do you feel when someone makes fun of someone for being homosexual?

I would not call a highly sarcastic comment that targets lots of Americans in a totally non offense way to be " making fun of them ", that isn't serious in any way to be an insult either.

I understand most Christians are normal citizens and all that.

People can make fun of homosexuals all they want, as long as they don't act on their bigotry. Hell, people can personally make fun of me as long as they don't punch me in the face

Isn't that the point of this bill? It doesn't say people CAN'T be bigots? It simply means that they can't act on it.

 

[skottichan]

It's all fun and games when you make fun of Christians. How do you feel when someone makes fun of homosexuals?

The people oppressing don't get to choose how the oppressed feel, and once Christians actually feel what oppression is like in this country, then we'll talk.


Oh and fun bit of factual history, the Christians were never fed to the lions. They were never put to death in the Colosseum.

The vast majority of those stories were written as anti-Roman propaganda by early Christians. Rome didn't give two ***** who you worshipped, as long as you did you compulsory military/civil service and paid your taxes.

 

[Solomani]

You do realize that the founding fathers intentionally created roadblocks in our constitutional system of government, right? The other option is tyranny. Tyrannical leaders who share your opinions are still tyrants.

But tyrants only gain absolute power after they've successfully slaughtered/exiled/massacred the dissenting voic…… err I mean "after they've removed the roadblocks".

 

[G51989]

The people oppressing don't get to choose how the oppressed feel, and once Christians actually feel what oppression is like in this country, then we'll talk..

I know lots of Christians who think they are " oppressed " in America, and that there is a " war on Christians in America" and a " war on Christmas "

I wonder if any of the, understand what real oppression is?

 

[Solomani]

Oh and fun bit of factual history, the Christians were never fed to the lions. They were never put to death in the Colosseum.

I am Spartacus!

.

 

[hulugu]

It's all fun and games when you make fun of Christians. How do you feel when someone makes fun of homosexuals?

A strict rule of comedy, you never punch down.

----------

...Oh and fun bit of factual history, the Christians were never fed to the lions. They were never put to death in the Colosseum.

The vast majority of those stories were written as anti-Roman propaganda by early Christians. Rome didn't give two ***** who you worshipped, as long as you did you compulsory military/civil service and paid your taxes.

This is an interesting point, do you have a source for this?

 

[niuniu]

Another sad blow against freedom and deeper intrusion of government into private business. Not to mention absurdly unconstitutional and more senseless overregulation that will further impede the business environment in America. Hopefully common sense will prevail in the House and put a stop to this nonsense and waste of time.

Better move country mate. I don't think America is livable after this. Gays are gonna be everywhere, unstoppable, bringing you over-regulated homosexual tea.

 

[Caliber26]

But they can choose and have full control of what activities they do or do not engage in, regardless of "natural-born" inclinations.

This is quite different from say, race-based discrimination.

So then the question becomes: "Is it ever okay to discriminate?"

While I disagree with the concept of homosexual behavior as being an acceptable practice, I also believe that an individual can choose to live the way he sees fit. This however, also means that the individual accepts the consequences of their decisions.

As such, we are divided and will continue to be divided as a nation. Because some in our society see the behavior as deviance and deserving of rejection, while others see it as harmless, consensual, and thus non-impactful.

The two sides will never agree, because there is no middle ground in this issue. One side has to cede the rules of the society we live in to the other. Two cultures effectively "warring" for the same country.

But I concede that this is true democracy: "the people rule". If the majority finds homosexual behavior is acceptable, then that's that, and it seems like the media and apparently a lot of the nation has already made it's mind about its acceptability. It's pumped into our brain 24/7 by all media. Morality is subjective, after all.

As a company, Apple is taking sides in this issue. I feel that as an entity, they should remain neutral and not force the issue either way. They can implement the policies they believe in internally, without alienating those that disagree with them.

But to speak out like they are doing, they are not just saying that discrimination is bad. They're saying "our company believes that homosexual behavior is acceptable". The "Anti-Discrimination" title makes it sound more noble than it is. Every Apple customer and shareholder, even if they disagree, is put in the same position.

I find this to be unnecessary.

I'm a gay male and wholeheartedly agree with everything you've just said. Sadly, you're trying to level with someone who has the comprehension skills of a 3 year-old cocker spaniel.

----------

Is a gay virgin still gay?

Nope. I'm a gay male so I will answer that for you.

I've sat here many of times and fantasized about robbing a jewelry store and making myself filthy rich. Does that make me a thief??? Can anyone in society or a court of law point a finger at me and label me as a thief just because of what I've had day dreams of and lusted over? NOPE!!! Not till I do it, you CAN'T.

 

[macchiato2009]

so Tim Cook is making laws in the US now

 

[Caliber26]

Gay people don't choose to be gay any more than you or I choose to be straight.

Guess what, genius, I'm a gay male and have been one for 32 years. Since the age of 4 or 5 I've KNOWN what I'm attracted to and NOT ONCE have I felt that it is my obligation to do one thing or the other. I know what I want as a gay male and I also know what society expects out of me. NOBODY can make me go way or the other except for myself. I *do* have the CHOICE and FREEDOM to do this or that... I *can* choose whether I live a gay lifestyle or not.

People like you shouldn't be allowed to open your mouth just to spread false information and lies. Every gay male, lesbian, and/or bisexual person has a choice in HOW they live their life. We have just as much of a right and choice as a pedophile. I didn't choose to lust over men any more than Joe Doe chose to lust over kids. Both of us have a CHOICE to make and NOBODY can label us or judge us one way or the other until we've acted upon those choices.

If Joe Doe feels attracted to children yet he refrains from having sex with children, can you call him a pedophile? NO. If I sit here and crave a _____ in my ______ but yet I refrain from acting upon it can you label me a homosexual? No. If Jane Smith constantly daydreams of robbing a bank to make herself a wealthy person can you - or anyone else - accuse of her being a thief until she' actually done it? No. --- The pedophile and I, both, have CHOICES to make, don't we? So DO NOT sit there and talk outta your ____!!! There's always a choice, even if you'd like to try to persuade others of the contrary.

Get it right, next time you even TRY to preach false nonsense. Nobody chooses their desires but we all do choose our actions. It's a free country and we all have the ability to choose to do what we want, whether it's right or wrong.

 

[Happybunny]

Seen from this side of the water, I for one cannot see the problem.

Human Rights always trumps religious rights, it's that simple people.

You can answer to your gods in wherever, but here on Planet Earth you answer to the Law.

 

[Eraserhead]

Seen from this side of the water, I for one cannot see the problem.

Human Rights always trumps religious rights, it's that simple people.

You can answer to your gods in wherever, but here on Planet Earth you answer to the Law.

The fact that the bible says very little about homosexuality (beyond the Old Testament - but then there should be protests against GAP for selling mixed fabric clothing) seems to wash over "Christians" who dislike gays as well.

And let's not forget that the Sistine Chapel was painted by a blatant homosexual.

 

[69650]

Because gay people don't choose their sexuality, and no one should be discriminated against because of something they have no control over.

Can you prove that scientifically or medically?

 

[skottichan]

A strict rule of comedy, you never punch down.

----------



This is an interesting point, do you have a source for this?

There's several Catholic and Jewish scholars who've worked with anthropologists and historians and have found evidence that for the most part, the reason why there was any prejudice against early Christians, because they were *******s to other people, and at times refused to pay their taxes to Rome.

The most recent is from a University of Notre Dame historian.

http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-05-14/national/39248141_1_christians-pliny-roman-temple

Romans were meticulous record keepers, and it's becoming more and more evident that the higher ups in the Roman government paid no real attention to early Christians. Which completely flies in the face of what I was taught by the nuns in my high school.

Then no accounts of Martyrdom appeared in Christian texts until the 5th century, well after Christianity became the state religion. At the time, Christians were taught if they died as a Martyr, they got an automatic pass into Heaven (apparently dogma stated that there was a waiting period if you died normally) and rewarded with riches and servants.

 

[niuniu]

Can you prove that scientifically or medically?

He doesn't have to.

Oh dear your human rights are trampled on because some people don't like you so you have to go cap in hand to Uncle Sam for protection. Some people don't like fat people or ginger people or whatever. Should we protect them to?

Yes of course. What part of 'equal', in 'equal rights' don't you understand.

 

[bandrews]

What about their religion? political persuasion?

Religion and political persuasion are choices. Race, gender, sexuality etc are not.

 

[69650]

But they can choose and have full control of what activities they do or do not engage in, regardless of "natural-born" inclinations.

This is quite different from say, race-based discrimination.

So then the question becomes: "Is it ever okay to discriminate?"

While I disagree with the concept of homosexual behavior as being an acceptable practice, I also believe that an individual can choose to live the way he sees fit. This however, also means that the individual accepts the consequences of their decisions.

As such, we are divided and will continue to be divided as a nation. Because some in our society see the behavior as deviance and deserving of rejection, while others see it as harmless, consensual, and thus non-impactful.

The two sides will never agree, because there is no middle ground in this issue. One side has to cede the rules of the society we live in to the other. Two cultures effectively "warring" for the same country.

But I concede that this is true democracy: "the people rule". If the majority finds homosexual behavior is acceptable, then that's that, and it seems like the media and apparently a lot of the nation has already made it's mind about its acceptability. It's pumped into our brain 24/7 by all media. Morality is subjective, after all.

As a company, Apple is taking sides in this issue. I feel that as an entity, they should remain neutral and not force the issue either way. They can implement the policies they believe in internally, without alienating those that disagree with them.

But to speak out like they are doing, they are not just saying that discrimination is bad. They're saying "our company believes that homosexual behavior is acceptable". The "Anti-Discrimination" title makes it sound more noble than it is. Every Apple customer and shareholder, even if they disagree, is put in the same position.

I find this to be unnecessary.

Excellent post.

 

[bandrews]

Can you prove that scientifically or medically?

At what point did you "choose" to be straight? You know, actually thought "you know what, I don't find boys attractive, I'll be straight". Because unless you have experienced what it's like to have to go through the "coming out" process, you have no right to comment on whether or not it can be scientifically or medically proven.

 

[niuniu]

At what point did you "choose" to be straight? You know, actually thought "you know what, I don't find boys attractive, I'll be straight". Because unless you have experienced what it's like to have to go through the "coming out" process, you have no right to comment on whether or not it can be scientifically or medically proven.

He has his Bible to guide him.

 

[G51989]

Seen from this side of the water, I for one cannot see the problem.

Human Rights always trumps religious rights, it's that simple people.

You can answer to your gods in wherever, but here on Planet Earth you answer to the Law.

I do not know if you have ever been to the USA, but it contains a loud group of Christians who have this strange notion that "America was founded as a Christian nation based on Christian law and we should make laws based on the Bible's teachings "

It does not represent every Christian in America, but it is a rather large group.

These are the same people who are anti gay rights, anti womens rights, and want creationism taught as fact in public school.

Same kind of people who put a advertisement for their church under your windshield wiper in the parking lot.

Some of them also walk around the streets of your local city or town and try to preach their viewpoint to you, then condemn you to hell when you don't convert.

Happened to me once in Atlanta, I was in the first week of my new job, super stressed, Super pissed, and rotten. Just trying to Enjoy a HotDog and fries from the Varsity Hotdog place in Atalanta ( Awesome food btw ), I'm just strolling down the street, and it has happened to be before, went something like this.

" Sir! Sir! "
" Uh yeah, whats up man? "
" Have you heard the good news? "
" Uh, Steelers are doing good? "
" Do you know about our Lord Jesus Christ? "
" **** YOU "
" Um "
" GET THE **** AWAY FROM ME "

Looking back, I over reacted.

We also had an issue in my area of town with Jehovah Witnesses coming to your door trying to sell you a new faith. The good thing about them was that they were at least very polite and understanding when you said no.

 

[bandrews]

Guess what, genius, I'm a gay male and have been one for 32 years. Since the age of 4 or 5 I've KNOWN what I'm attracted to and NOT ONCE have I felt that it is my obligation to do one thing or the other. I know what I want as a gay male and I also know what society expects out of me. NOBODY can make me go way or the other except for myself. I *do* have the CHOICE and FREEDOM to do this or that... I *can* choose whether I live a gay lifestyle or not.

People like you shouldn't be allowed to open your mouth just to spread false information and lies. Every gay male, lesbian, and/or bisexual person has a choice in HOW they live their life. We have just as much of a right and choice as a pedophile. I didn't choose to lust over men any more than Joe Doe chose to lust over kids. Both of us have a CHOICE to make and NOBODY can label us or judge us one way or the other until we've acted upon those choices.

If Joe Doe feels attracted to children yet he refrains from having sex with children, can you call him a pedophile? NO. If I sit here and crave a _____ in my ______ but yet I refrain from acting upon it can you label me a homosexual? No. If Jane Smith constantly daydreams of robbing a bank to make herself a wealthy person can you - or anyone else - accuse of her being a thief until she' actually done it? No. --- The pedophile and I, both, have CHOICES to make, don't we? So DO NOT sit there and talk outta your ____!!! There's always a choice, even if you'd like to try to persuade others of the contrary.

Get it right, next time you even TRY to preach false nonsense. Nobody chooses their desires but we all do choose our actions. It's a free country and we all have the ability to choose to do what we want, whether it's right or wrong.

Uuummmmm, no.

 

[69650]

At what point did you "choose" to be straight? You know, actually thought "you know what, I don't find boys attractive, I'll be straight". Because unless you have experienced what it's like to have to go through the "coming out" process, you have no right to comment on whether or not it can be scientifically or medically proven.

It was a question not a statement and you didn't answer it.

 

[Eraserhead]

He has his Bible to guide him.

I guess he read a different book for the one I did. Because the bible doesn't say anything anti gay.

 

[69650]

He has his Bible to guide him.

I wouldn't swap my life for yours and no I have no intention of recognising this law or changing my behaviour. Cry all you want, people will still hate you.

 

[APlotdevice]

Religion and political persuasion are choices. Race, gender, sexuality etc are not.

To be fair, children usually don't get to choose what faith they are indoctrinated into.