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RESOLVING PEOPLE'S CONFLICTING BELIEFS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITYOther items
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Resistance to change:Many, perhaps most, conservatives are extremely confident that their beliefs are correct, because many of them are based on the direct Word of God -- passages from the Bible or another holy book, which they consider to be inerrant. Other beliefs may not be stated precisely there, but are implied by the text. Examples are:
Conservatives are very resistant to change. In eight years of answering E-mails to this web site, we do not recall having been able to change the belief of a single conservative about even one item related to homosexuality. Many, perhaps most, liberals are also extremely confident that their beliefs are correct, because many of them are based on hard data from replicated human sexuality and genetic studies. For example:
Liberals are very resistant to change. In eight years of answering E-mails to this web site, we have not been able to change the belief of a single liberal about even one item related to homosexuality.
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Prejudice and intolerance:Some have suggested that conservatives are prejudiced against gays, lesbians and bisexuals, because they are in favor of discriminating against them. Whether this is so depends upon one's beliefs about homosexuality. If one sincerely believes that homosexuality is:
Then it could be argued that one's stance in opposition to homosexual rights is based on a loving, caring response to homosexuals and a desire to see them cured. It is not based on hatred, prejudice or a desire to oppress them. A logical development from these beliefs is that Conservatives have a duty, as an act of love, to persuade homosexuals to leave the "gay lifestyle." To do otherwise is to withhold vital information from gays and lesbians. Bob Knight, a spokesperson from the Family Research Council, said that what some call "intolerance," the Bible calls "truth." He continued: "It's disturbing to see so-called religious leaders tell pastors that they cannot be clear and Biblical because someone may misinterpret it and do something bad...If you stop telling the truth, you stop loving people and treating them with the respect and dignity they deserve. They deserve the truth." He concluded: "These groups are saying, 'If you stand for sexual morality, you're, in fact, a hater.' And that's a pretty hateful thing to say." 1
Can a resolution to differences of opinion be found through prayer?Clergy frequently suggest that Christians resolve conflicts through prayer. If a liberal and conservative have conflicting views on the nature of minority sexual orientations, or disagree on what one's reaction should be to gays, lesbians and bisexuals, then one might consider seeking God's will in the matter. This would be a simple solution to the conflict. The two individuals or groups with opposing beliefs need only pray to God to assess his will. Then both or all sides would agree to implement the wishes of God. Unfortunately, this does not seem to work in practice:
We have concluded that prayer is not a reliable method of assessing the will of God. We may have to figure this one out for ourselves.
References:
Copyright © 2003 by Ontario Consultants on Religious
Tolerance
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