Gaytheist

The Religion Of Life?

2011-10-19T09:40:00.001+03:00

Christianity claims to be the religion of life. Jesus promised his followers they would vanquish death with their faith. Priests keep reminding believers that dying is not the end and that a second life awaits them. And yet, Christians find it totally acceptable to walk around wearing an execution instrument around their necks! The cross has put to death numerous criminals and a certain Jesus, but Christians see it as the only tool for salvation. Would you wear a guillotine, a coffin or a skull around the neck? No? Then why a cross? Stop putting death on display!

Photo:
Neck by Adam Sloan, available under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs license

Science Will Save Us

2011-10-13T17:51:00.000+03:00

The way to see by faith is to
shut the eye of reason

There are things in the universe we inhabit that we don’t fully understand and things we have yet to discover. Where exactly does this leave us? How exactly are we to come to understand anything? The answer: science. Science is the best tool our species has developed to help determine true things from false things. The best thing about science that it is self-correcting: it acknowledges its flaws and makes an effort to correct them.

For many people, they see this as a deep flaw within science, and therefore reject the whole notion that science can help us answer anything. The problem with this view is that the methods of science have been shown time and again to be the only effective method at discovering the nature of reality. Not prayer; not revelation; not divination: nothing other than hard science.

Yes, humans are the conductors that drive science, and are therefore privy to flaws and biases and all of the others things that make us human. Every scientist has their own little pet theory, and will go to the end of the world to defend it. The best part about science is that this person’s fellow scientists are in the game of disproving competing theories. It takes a lot for someone to change their mind, especially when they’ve dedicated their lives to a theory, but to realize that the evidence runs counter to your belief is what any follower of science must do.

A claim should also be falsifiable. This means the claim must be able to the tested to show whether or not it has any merit. If we have no way to show whether or not a claim is true, you are just advocating for something by fiat; mothing more than just wanting to claim it exists. A perfect example is the existence of deities: people claim that we can in no way test whether or not god(s) exist. Well, I’m sorry, if we have no way to testing the claim, how can we know if it’s true or not, other than your assertion that it is true?

Philosophy is also an integral part of how we determine truth from falsity. Scientific theories and enterprises must be logically consistent and be able to be defended on philosophical grounds. Is this experiment ethical? What are the limits of science? How do we know if that object or being can actually exist? All these are answered within philosophy, and only through the union of science with philosophy, do we have any hope forward.

This is what makes science and philosophy interesting: it allows you to peer at the line between what is known and what is unknown. Humans have gotten very far. We’ve outsmarted our fellow hominid species, we’ve managed to survive and even thrive in climates that would kill most species, and we have built complex societies. Yes, we have a long way to go, from making sure equality is had by all: from world hunger, to making sure we don’t destroy the world around us. These may seem like things that are unattainable, but by using the tools given to us by science, and appreciating the acquisition of knowledge for its own sake, we as a species can develop and even solve many of the burdens facing our species today.

Originally posted by:
Tim

Photo:
Science, religion and perceptions of reality by Noel A. Tanner, available under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs license.

On Your Way To Heaven

2011-09-24T22:53:00.000+03:00

Some are obviously impatient to join God in heaven

Religion would have been a more tolerable concept had it promised its adepts a place in heaven for doing good in the course of their existence. Instead, it somehow managed to convince them that their salvation is directly linked to the amount of involvement they maintain in other people's lives. As surprising as it may sound, it has become perfectly normal for some to dictate the lifestyle and moral values of a whole community, regardless of diversity and freedom of choice.

Religious people are so haunted by this consuming desire to please the mighty Lord ,and therefore secure a position in a certain imaginary place, that they overlook the amount of pain or discomfort they're bringing to others. Take for example the religious groups fighting against gay rights. Their systematic attacks on gays may not affect the general population, but are certainly damaging to vulnerable homosexual teens who have to go through a lot of bullying and hatred. Such situations can lead to devastating results, such as depression and suicide... and the worst part? We can't even blame the culprit, because he doesn't exist!

Religion has neglected compassion and the simple right for someone to exist. Shoving their beliefs down everybody's through has been taking up a large amount of religious people's time. No matter how many victims they claim, how many lives they ruin, how much pain they leave behind, their insatiable need to follow some obscure teachings shows no signs of slowing down. Religious extremism, and by that I don't just mean the usual terrorist taint that some religious groups have acquired, is growing steadily, almost as fast as some people's strive for equality and freedom. There seems to be no room for compromise, no way for discourse, no means to solve this dilemma in the near future. This is not a classic religion vs. atheism conflict... it is simply a clear infringement of human rights.

Your road to heaven is paved with bad intentions, but not everything is lost yet. The next time your trusted and beloved religious figure preaches hatred and discrimination simply walk away... I would choose humanity over some imaginary place, wouldn't you?

Photo:
God-Creates-Adam-Sistine-Chapel by ideacreamanuelaPps, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Michele Bachmann: America's Greatest Homophobe

2011-08-18T23:15:00.001+03:00

Michele Bachmann, my love life is none of your business

Michele Bachmann: where do I begin? First off, she represents Minnesota in the United States House of Representatives. She is also the leading female candidate for the 2012 Presidential election. Bachmann is quite outspoken. She holds some very radical views, and is a supporter of the all too well-known Tea Party. To get to the point: she’s a very conservative Republican.

For years, a major part of the Republican Party platform is to oppose same-sex marriage, including civil unions. This isn’t a really big surprise, given the fact that the Republican Party has a huge evangelical Christian base, and we all know how Christians (at least historically) feel about homosexuals being able to marry (I can just hear their hate speeches at this moment).

Now, I do not mean to demonize all Christians, especially since quite a lot actually endorse same-sex marriage. At the Pride Parade in Chicago this past year, there were a lot of churches coming out to show their support of equality for same-sex couples, including many Pentecostal and United Church of Christ groups.

Given that Bachmann is currently running for the highest office in the land, we are now beginning to see where she stands on social issues. Being the mother of like 36 children (biological and adopted), she has come out against termination of pregnancy rights. Knowing her track-record on social issues, and her voting record, we have a good estimate of what her stance will be on same-sex marriage. The organization Family Leader has asked candidates to sign a pledge that affirms that, “. . . gay men are a public health risk, that gay parents are inferior to straight parents, and that homosexuality is a choice.”1 Really Michele? Her husband’s clinic even offers reparative therapy for homosexuals, which is unscientific and harmful!

This comes as no surprise since she is a Republican candidate. Michele has come out in support of a Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. I was watching the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC a few weeks ago, and she highlights the fact that the Republicans have wanted to amend the Constitution over 30 times! This is striking since Republicans tout that they want to hold the Constitution to a very high standard.

What does this have to do with anything? First, she is not the first person to come out against same-sex marriage. Second, her and many others’ reasoning is purely religious. I have not heard one even decent secular argument against same-sex marriage. We hear time and again that there is a Separation of Church and State, but when it comes to social issues, we have none of that. All we have are certain religious types going out of their way to legislate their beliefs onto Americans. What I want to hear are secular reasons against termination of pregnancy rights and same-sex marriage. Until then, politicians like Bachmann need to stop pandering to the religious right.

Any sane person realizes that same-sex marriage is an issue of equality, and until equality is realized for every American, it is time for us to fight. Many of my fellow atheists don’t see this as an issue they can get under, but it is. Since all of the arguments against same-sex marriage, etc., are of a purely religious nature, atheists should be one of the first on the line to combat such laws. Bringing this whole discussion back to Bachmann, we as atheists and Americans need to raise our voices and show people that what these politicians say and do are acts that are completely nonsensical.

Stand up. Be heard.

Originally posted by:
Tim

Photo:
Michelle Bachmann speaking by markn3tel, available under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Religion: No Rights Reserved

2011-07-19T01:59:00.002+03:00

When will religion recognize gay rights?

I cannot begin to describe how saddened I am by this story. For those not familiar, a 4-year old boy was shot by Peter Moses, a religious cult leader, because he thought the little boy exhibited “gay behavior.” I’m not even sure where to begin. Not only does this show just how rampant homophobia is, but it attests to the fact that religion incites violence.

Why do people dislike homosexuals? Is it because it’s “weird?” For some, sure: They have not been ‘exposed’ to homosexual relationships, so when they see two men or two women holding hands and maybe kissing, they ask, “wait…what just happened?” This is excusable and goes away with time. But for someone to disdain homosexuals and outwardly dislike them, that source isn't ignorance, but comes from religious dogma.

Christianity and many other religions have a dislike for homosexuals. It has never been explained why. When given any thought, it is not morally incorrect. What exactly is wrong with two people coming together and loving each other? Nobody chooses the gender they fall in love with, and for many who do not want “homosexual feelings,” this is a huge burden on them. Without the religious notion that same-sex relationships are ‘evil’ and ‘unnatural,’ this sort of burden and violence would not happen.

Religion seems to be the main culprit in all of this. Without it, needless suffering would not occur. We have all read countless stories showing us the horror that religious dogma can do: Everything from the horrendous actions on September 11, 2001, the threats of violence of abortion clinics, to the senseless murder of a little boy. People do not and will not see the harm that religion does. And do not let religious people tell you that these people were not “true believers.”

I come across this claim a lot, but here’s the problem: you’ll have many people accept belief X, but once someone outwardly acknowledges belief X or advocates it, they are demonized and labeled as crazy. The hatred towards homosexuals is found within the Bible and from religious leaders.

Homosexuals are a large sub-set of the population that is told they are full of sin, are unnatural, and should not be afforded equal rights. If you hear this kind of talk daily, you are not going to treat homosexuals with respect.

What can be done? First, I want to hear religious leaders release a statement showing their revulsion about such acts. Second, I want to advocate that we confront these backward beliefs. Homophobia and the spread of religious hatred are two very common things nowadays, and the best way to combat both is to stand up for what you believe, and lead the discussion. When someone says that homosexuals are disgusting, say something. I do not wish to advocate violence, nor do I wish anyone to disrespect anyone else, but I am advocating for a dialogue. Our situation will not get better if we sit idly by while this happens. People are being harassed with verbal and physical violence every single day, and most of us do not give it any thought.

The only way forward is to speak up and be heard.

Originally posted by:
Tim

Photo:
Catholic Parents of Gays and Lesbians For Equal Rights by Pipistrula, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.

Homophobic Minorities?

2011-07-09T15:22:00.002+03:00

Why do minorities turn to their oppressors' religion?

Have you ever noticed that many racial/ethnic minorities seem to cling to the religions of their oppressors? The African-American community, for example, is often a big opponent of same-sex marriage. Many Native American tribes, which are generally sovereignty nations, have also come to outlaw same-sex marriages. In many parts of Africa, homosexuality can get you raped or even killed. But why?

Several of my friends that are of a racial/ethnic minority have told me that they’ve had comments directed to them such as, “You can’t be gay, you’re black” and “But that’s a white disease.” No one is apparently doing a history check before making these really ignorant statements. Guess what, homosexual behavior can be found, and could always be found, everywhere.

Most tribal people didn’t have a concept of “orientation.” They also weren’t always quite as strict when it came to what gender someone was despite their sex. Many cultures could have a male woman, for example, or a female man, or maybe even a completely different gender, and in most of those cultures these people were considered a powerful, positive asset to the community. Sometimes these male women were allowed, even expected, to marry a male man. Sometimes they were allowed, even expected, to have same-sex relationships outside of their opposite-sex marriages. Were they ‘straight’ transsexuals? Just a ‘gay’ feminine male? Who knows. And it didn’t matter. It was irrelevant that their sexes were the same. I know of tribes in both the Americans and in Africa that had these traditions. There are probably many more.

So, why are these racial/ethnic groups now denying their fellow human rights to marriage or even exist? Why is there physical repulsion or violence? They’ve clung to the religions of their oppressors, maybe to fit in,maybe for their own survival. These religions, man-made, oppressive, and the same ones that gave the green light to Europeans to rape, pillage, and murder, are now the security blankets to many minority groups which use them as a weapon to oppress just as they were oppressed. It’s a way for them to shout out to the majority, the current or past oppressors, “Hey, we believe in the same things you do! We’re not the enemies! But hey, look, there’s one! We’ll help you get them!” Consider it deflecting one target for another.

Closed minds can’t be opened by facts and logic. But some of those people out there really are just ignorant and are going by what they were told. Maybe they’d really be interested to know about their history. If we educate ourselves we can educate others. Other times it’s just fun seeing the look on the faces of the hard core religious when you throw out a fact that they didn't know, and then watch them scramble.

Here's a good interview from a Daraga (African tribe) man that blames Christianity for the oppression of “gay” gatekeepers, which are responsible for the connections between humans and the spirits:

Originally posted by:
Xen Haas

Photo:
Faitful To The Lord by RayBanBro66, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs license.

Poly: "No Matter Gay, Straight or Bi"

2011-06-25T12:11:00.004+03:00

Just before leaving the recent fête de la musique, my friends and I were drawn to a venue where hard rock songs were being played. Right after that performance ended, a young lady appeared on stage. Her look was impressive; a long decorated braid and a cool dress. We came to know her name was Poly.

She started with Adele's Someone like you, before moving on to Rolling in the deep and Nobody's perfect by Jessie J. The pinnacle of the show, however, was her final song. She began by dedicating it to all her LGBT friends before singing Born this way. It was a strong moment; Rarely has an artist shown their support for the gay community publicly in Lebanon before.

Poly, we thank you for your courage and brave stand! Thank you for acknowledging our existence and speaking up on our behalf! Girl you rock!

Follow her on twitter: @FollowPoly

Become a fan on facebook: Poly

Gay And Believer: Is God The New Queer Icon?

2011-06-10T22:07:00.001+03:00

Even her smile can't hide the atrocity of religion

A few things surprise me in life... unexpected combinations can amuse or shock me, but rarely make me go 'Oh what the hell?!'. I guess I'm not the judgemental type of guys; I'm tolerant, understanding and easygoing.

Having said that, I still can't fully grasp some of life's absurdities. What would be your reaction if I told you about a Jew Nazi? Shocked, right?... Now how about a religious gay person? What would you say? Normal? Acceptable? Or pure nonsense?!

I say it's ridiculous, unjustified and self-destructive. Being religious can be harmful in its own right, let alone when religion makes you its preferable target for criticism, mockery and demonization! For some reason (none actually) religion has declared war on the LGBT community. That's far from new, since religion has had an infamous record in human rights issues, however, and correct me if I'm wrong, we no longer live in the middle ages.

I don't blame religion. It is doing what it does best; feeding on fear and ignorance to spread its message of hatred and inequality. Those I do blame are the people who willingly agree to take part of such questionable agenda. Yes fellow gay theists, you are doing it wrong! How do you accept, as sensible and mature human beings, to believe in something that opposes the very essence of who you are? How can you pray for a god who has, reportedly, burnt a city for being 'corrupted' by homosexuality? How does it feel when a priest, an imam or a rabbi denies you your very own right to exist in this world?

I have tried to rationalize your case, to think it trough, but I have failed to find an explanation. You say you turn to religion to heal the wounds inflicted by society... I say it's like escaping a wild bear and going right into a pack of wolves. Religion won't help you, God won't save you.. if anything it will make you feel even worse. Call me ignorant, but I can't understand your convictions. Adding an extra layer of oppression and barbarism will only degrade our condition.

I reproach you with not joining our fight, preferring to sit back waiting for some divine intervention while gays, lesbians and transsexuals are threatened and killed around the word. What are you waiting for? When will you open your eyes to realize that your God is part of the problem?! That because of him and his questionable teachings you can't lead a normal life!!

And finally, remember that we've got each other and our cause supporters... and that, my friends, is truly divine!

Different Is Normal

2011-05-27T23:46:00.003+03:00

An inspirational video about differences in appearance among humans. A lesson in tolerance and self acceptance... cos you were born this way babe!

My Take On Homophobia

2011-05-23T23:34:00.002+03:00

In preparation for the International Day Against Homophobia, a group of Lebanese LGBT bloggers started a unique initiative. Aiming to increase awareness and bring attentions to LGBT issues in Lebanon, they asked contributors to describe the way homophobia affects their lives or those of people around them. People did not hesitate to share touching and compelling stories that showed to what extent homophobia is widespread in our society and the amount of damage it can cause. Most contributions,however, were written in a positive style, giving an optimistic insight to the future of LGBT rights in Lebanon.

I recently got my own story published there. Entitled I have no fear, it describes how LGBT individuals are raised on homophobic basis, and never educated that being gay is 'normal'. It goes on to tell how parents tend to imagine their children's future life in a typical heterosexual relationship without even considering the possibility of them being gay or lesbian. Then I talk about the fact that even though I'm not completely closeted and that there are people aware of my orientation, homophobia still gets to me sometimes and weakens my will to go on. Finally I say that I always get back on my feet and know that a bright future is ahead... because I have no fear!

Streets Of Beirut: Secular And Proud

2011-05-17T01:07:00.005+03:00

When Pop Tackles Taboos: Religion

2011-05-14T15:45:00.003+03:00

Finally some good use for rosaries... ideal for those after-noon cravings

Tired of worshiping God? Try the Hello Kitty Goddess... she's fluffy and loves to cuddle

Taking the cross adoration to the next level... her mouth that is

She can strike that pose... she's Madonna for Christ's sake

Don't throw away what you don't need... burn it for heat

A nun gone bad... very very bad

Streets Of Beirut: Speaking Loud Against Homophobia

2011-05-09T14:58:00.002+03:00

While taking a walk with my boyfriend in the streets of Hamra last night, some colourful flyers caught our attention. They're in support of the Leb IDAHO blog. Good work guys!

When I was 19, my father pulled a gun in my face

You're afraid of the dark? Try living in a closet

My mom tells me: Live you life, just don't let anyone know

I'm completely normal: The Lebanese law disagrees

No God , No Good?

2011-05-05T13:16:00.013+03:00

seven billion persons can also be good without god

Ever since we were kids , our parents had one lesson to teach us ; "be good", they said , "don't pick on your friends...don't speak with you mouth full". And as we all know, that strategy always fails miserably...kids seem untameable. But parents don't give up. they strike back. They realise that giving orders is not enough..what they need is a punishment/reward system. "Tidy your room or there's no TV for you"...."Finish your homework and you'll have some ice cream".

It all seems inoffensive, and quite useful sometimes...until delusion settles in. For some reason, usual arguments become less and less effective, and some extreme measures are taken. It starts innocent enough with an imaginary figure: Santa Claus , the tooth fairy or the Easter rabbit. It might seem harmless and sane, but leading our kids into believing in non-existent entities can have damaging effects. Parents prefer to take it even further..they decide to mingle in God!

"If you lie, Jesus will come choke you at night", they threaten, "Cheating on your exams is a one-way trip to hell". Kids grow accustomed to such arguments. They begin to associate everything good, righteous and helpful with God. They watch their parents praise the Lord for the abundant rain, a salary raise, the food on the dining table or the return of a loved one.

Even worse, the media reinforce those assumptions by broadcasting certain content. From brave catholic men rescuing old ladies from ravaging fires to enlightened Hindu gurus saving people's souls and generous Muslim millionaires helping in reconstruction efforts of stricken countries, examples of religion-driven charity are countless. When was the last time we heard about an atheist's philanthropy in the media? Where are the news of the godless girl who helped a family in need or the religion-free businessman who invested in building a school?

Atheists are good people in spite of everything that society tries to associate with them. We've been called science-fanatics, unsympathetic, detached and jaded. Are we here just to attack religion? I don't think so! We surely take great pleasure in debunking false claims, but in the end of the day we're simply human, humans with a better understanding of things, but still humans nonetheless We cry, laugh, joke, get angry, feel frustrated...Yes we do have feelings! And yes we do lead active and fruitful lives! We do so much more than just discus evolution and the latest fossil findings. We go out there, reach out to people in need and help them. We change lives, mentalities and prejudices.

And the best part? We do it all for no return! We know there's no mighty lord to satisfy, no devil to fear, no heaven to conquer, no afterlife to prepare to. We do good because we can and want to. We do good because we care. Sooner or later people will realise that, and maybe it will be a turning point for humanity, a moment for everyone to reconsider what they've been doing and what for. But till then here's what I know...There's definitely no God, and that feels so fucking good!

Google Chrome: It Gets Better Video | LebaGaGa

2011-05-04T10:59:00.000+03:00

Google Chrome: It Gets Better Video: "You guys probably heard of the It Gets Better project.Just in case, it's a groundbreaking initiative by a man named Dan Savage which aims to show LGBT children of the world that it always gets better. Although some of us in Lebanon might get cynical about that, I still think it applies to us.It does always get better, one way or another, for everyone who struggles through it wherever they live.That's because you'll come to love yourself and find someone who loves you for you.It gets better.It brought a tear to my eye. It's a must-see for anyone :)"

Science 1 Religion 0

2011-04-26T08:08:00.011+03:00

Science vs Religion : Preparing for the
next round

We haven't been very intelligent throughout our existence. At times, we settled for whatever answers we could come up with. Every mystery, every strange phenomenon were attributed to certain hidden forces we failed to grasp. The sunset and rise, lightning, the changing seasons... birth, death, sickness... the beasts of the forest were all manifestations of the beyond.

Soon enough, our own existence was tied to those mysterious powers. We gave them names, shapes, and stories. We made them dwell on mountain summits, somewhere above the cloud, in lost paradises where no one has ever set foot. We gave them total control over our lives, and lived happily ever after.

Or did we?! Humanity has known its darkest hours under religious reign. From sacred wars, to persecution, religion delivered its fair share of violence, intolerance and pure madness. Providing nothing but a false promise of an unconfined heaven and relying on people's fear and ignorance, religion was able to conquer our minds and instate itself as the only answer to any possible question.

Answers usually depend on explanation, evidence and logic but in the case of religion they're a mix of ambiguous, obscure and laughable claims. But people don't seem to object that! Tell them the universe was created in 6 days and they'll believe it... tell them it took millions of years and they'll probably shoot you down. Tell them Noah was able to build a massive arch to transport every species of animals on Earth and they'll be in awe of god's power... tell them that never happened... and well you know how that one turns out.

People have simply decided to shut the voice of reason in favour of an amalgam of anarchic beliefs that not only make absolutely no sense, but can also be quite dangerous. I find it ungrateful how some choose to enjoy the kind of life that science was able to provide us while crediting everything good that happens to them to the mighty lord! The next time you see your doctor, use your computer, drive your car or enjoy the warmth of your home remember... we owe it all to science!

Religion: the anti-fear pill

2011-04-14T08:48:00.007+03:00

Faint-hearted beings:Religion's prime target

In a society of mass consumption like ours, marketing is a key player. Consumers usually base their purchasing decisions upon marketing campaigns aimed at making them succumb to the latest products. Pharmaceutical companies brag about their anti-aging cremes...Hi-tech manufacturers show off their powerful electronics...Media icons go to extremes in order to conquer new fans....and religion is no different.

Religion is a business...and a lucrative one for that matter. The consumers? a large (unfortunately) number of more or less unstable individuals. The employees? a group of wealthy and powerful men (unsurprisingly) devoted to get their message heard. The boss? an almighty creature seldom (never!) seen, rarely (never!) heard from , but feared and worshiped nonetheless. The product? a package of feel-good and you're-going-to-heaven practices for faint-hearted, shallow-minded, brain-washed human beings. The need? an uncontrollable urge to answer the unknown, appease the horror of absolute nothingness, and give a meaning to an otherwise seemingly lame existence.

Religion feeds on fear..and of that we(me not included!) have plenty. We fear death, we fear hell, we fear the devil..we fear sickness, failure, disappointments, punishment and pay back. And since some of us have a rather dysfunctional reasoning, alternative reliefs are sought. Being unable to deal with those issues on their own, and inherently repelled by mental health personnel (aren't shrinks another manifestation of Lucifer himself?!) , they tend to confide in sectarian organizations hoping to find their peace of mind (shouldn't they be looking for a piece of mind instead?!).

Religion needs an enemy...If one ceases to exit, a new fiend is immediately created. Always stronger, more dangerous, more threatening to our fragile souls, those enemies play a crucial part in a religion's thrive for more followers. For Christians, it's the Muslims...for Muslims it's the Christians and Jews...for religious people it's the atheists,gays, women in miniskirts...It can be the lurking devil, the long awaited Antichrist(where the hell is he?!), the outspoken writers/journalists/artists, the genius scientists and their 'controversial' (life-saving) researches .It can be anything, anyone...any time anywhere...and next time it could be you.