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

[grahamperrin]

This is the age of …

"… The greatest lie in this forum is that sexual immorality, defined as sex outside of heterosexual marriage, is harmless. If it is harmless, why do we have an AIDS epidemic which destroys countless lives each year? …

Two words for you, sweet cheeks (and 'sweet cheeks' are not the two):

nineteen twenties.​

To anyone else who still believes that AIDS was caused by homosexuality: if '1920s' means nothing to you, then please request an explanation.

Please ask quickly, and politely, because my finger is very close to that magic menu …

 

[brianvictor7]

Well, I, personally, am not a scholar. I just translate things other people need translating. But you are right that scholarly commentary is an important supplement to understanding translated text from other cultures.

And while looking up the Beatitudes, I came upon this blog post (https://bible.org/seriespage/who-are-you-judge) that pointed out two different kinds of judgment -- Condemning Judgment and Discerning Judgment. Not recommending this site or this post or anything, but for me personally, thinking that there are different kinds of judging is helpful in reconciling the "judge not" directive with other Biblical passages where Jesus appears to suggest that one should make judgment on others. So just thought I'll share that.

I appreciate you sharing that link. Very interesting article. I found myself agreeing with much of it. Some of it seemed off to me. Like I said, I'm ending my involvement on this thread. Please feel free to drop me a message if you wish to discuss anything on this further. God bless!

 

[Meister]

To anyone else who still believes that AIDS was caused by homosexuality: if '1920s' means nothing to you, then please request an explanation.

Please ask quickly, and politely, because my finger is very close to that magic menu …

Isn't AIDS and mental illness more prevailant in practicing homosexuals? Purely statisticaly speaking.

 

[brianvictor7]

[url=http://i.imgur.com/mkGMwaK.gif]Image[/URL]



Two words for you, sweet cheeks (and 'sweet cheeks' are not the two):

nineteen twenties.​

To anyone else who still believes that AIDS was caused by homosexuality: if '1920s' means nothing to you, then please request an explanation.

Please ask quickly, and politely, because my finger is very close to that magic menu …

I'm familiar with the latest news on the origin of AIDS in the 1920's.

Your statement "To anyone else who still believes that AIDS was caused by homosexuality:" strikes me as a straw man argument. I never said that AIDS was caused by homosexuality. Your very accusation seems to imply that I believed it wasn't even caused by a virus, but by the homosexual act. It is caused by a virus which is spread by sexual acts, of which homosexual acts played an undeniable part.

The point I am trying to make is that HIV would quickly die out if everyone would give up this sleep with whomever you please nonsense and stick to one life partner, till death parts, before moving to another partner. Now, before you ask "what about committed married gay couples and lesbians?" I'll ask it for you. Technically, yes, they would spread the disease less. But as a community, homosexuals are not known for encouraging sexually moral behavior.

That is the end of what I have to say here. I'm only responding to you because I don't believe we have interacted before and it seemed impolite not to respond once. You may message me directly if you need anything further. God bless.

 

[Night Spring]

Isn't AIDS and mental illness more prevailant in practicing homosexuals? Purely statisticaly speaking.

Don't know about mental illness, but I've heard that in Africa, AIDS is spread more through heterosexual contact, and it's become a general health problem, not just a "homosexual disease."

It was pure accident that in the West, AIDS first spread among the homosexual population. Nothing inherent about the HIV virus that makes it easier to spread by homosexual than heterosexual contact.

 

[Irishman]

Respectfully, I've been there and done that on the translation ambiguities scene. As one of my old University profs (who did know original greek) used to say, if someone is trying to pull out the original language to propose some new spin on a doctrine, they are probably trying to pull a fast one. The Religioustolerance.org website has always impressed me as full of material to warp biblical doctrines in order to fit cultural trends. I know that is a broad statement, but I'm really short on time now. But as I said, if you want to discuss anything in particular, drop me a private message.

Sorry, I think this discussion needs to be seen by as many eyeballs as possible.


So did you read the specific article I linked to?? Or are you throwing out the baby with the bathwater, based on you previous experience with religioustolerance.org??

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Isn't AIDS and mental illness more prevailant in practicing homosexuals? Purely statisticaly speaking.

Well if they were, you should be able to provide studies showing it.

Can you?

 

[Meister]

Don't know about mental illness, but I've heard that in Africa, AIDS is spread more through heterosexual contact, and it's become a general health problem, not just a "homosexual disease."

It was pure accident that in the West, AIDS first spread among the homosexual population. Nothing inherent about the HIV virus that makes it easier to spread by homosexual than heterosexual contact.

I am not a fan of such studies and statistics but nevertheless: http://psychcentral.com/lib/higher-risk-of-mental-health-problems-for-homosexuals/0006527

and http://health.usnews.com/health-new...leaves-gay-men-highly-vulnerable-to-hiv-study

 

[Night Spring]

But as a community, homosexuals are not known for encouraging sexually moral behavior.

And this is why it's important for Tim Cook to come out (and hopefully others like him will follow). It helps dispel this stereotype that homosexuals are more likely than heterosexuals to engage in irresponsible sexual behavior. I mean, can you imagine Tim Cook being irresponsible about anything, including sex?

 

[brianvictor7]

Sorry, I think this discussion needs to be seen by as many eyeballs as possible.


So did you read the specific article I linked to?? Or are you throwing out the baby with the bathwater, based on you previous experience with religioustolerance.org??

----------



Well if they were, you should be able to provide studies showing it.

Can you?

If you believe it is important for others to see the discussion then do you agree that it makes sense for you to make your argument specifically and post the relevant portions of the article here?

----------

And this is why it's important for Tim Cook to come out (and hopefully others like him will follow). It helps dispel this stereotype that homosexuals are more likely than heterosexuals to engage in irresponsible sexual behavior. I mean, can you imagine Tim Cook being irresponsible about anything, including sex?

If he can serve as an example of being less irresponsible than a promiscuous heterosexual then I will take what little good I can with the bad.

 

[Night Spring]

I am not a fan of such studies and statistics but nevertheless: http://psychcentral.com/lib/higher-risk-of-mental-health-problems-for-homosexuals/0006527

and http://health.usnews.com/health-new...leaves-gay-men-highly-vulnerable-to-hiv-study

Just from the first sentence of that linked article:
"Homosexual people tend to experience more mental health problems than heterosexual people, research indicates. Discrimination may contribute to the higher risk, believes lead researcher"

So, let's first get rid of discrimination against homosexuals, and then we can revisit this issue.

 

[Meister]

Just from the first sentence of that linked article:
"Homosexual people tend to experience more mental health problems than heterosexual people, research indicates. Discrimination may contribute to the higher risk, believes lead researcher"

So, let's first get rid of discrimination against homosexuals, and then we can revisit this issue.

When I first heard that homosexuals have a much higher risk of mental illness, that was my first thought. I doubt it is the only reason though. But I agree that gays should have the same rights as anyone else. But people have the right to reject the homosexual lifestyle. It's live and let live. Just respect one another!

 

[Night Spring]

But people have the right to reject the homosexual lifestyle. It's live and let live. Just respect one another!

What exactly do you mean by "reject the homosexual lifestyle"? Last I heard, gays weren't forcing anyone else to be or act gay. They seem perfectly willing to "live and let live." It's the heterosexuals who seem to want everyone to adopt the heterosexual lifestyle.

 

[\-V-/]

What exactly do you mean by "reject the homosexual lifestyle"? Last I heard, gays weren't forcing anyone else to be or act gay. They seem perfectly willing to "live and let live." It's the heterosexuals who seem to want everyone to adopt the heterosexual lifestyle.

I wish people would stop calling it a lifestyle.

 

[Zombie Acorn]

Doesn't affect me or my purchasing decisions, good for him though.

 

[Meister]

What exactly do you mean by "reject the homosexual lifestyle"? Last I heard, gays weren't forcing anyone else to be or act gay. They seem perfectly willing to "live and let live." It's the heterosexuals who seem to want everyone to adopt the heterosexual lifestyle.

You are right, that in the past gays were mistreated because of their sexual practices. This was wrong. But there is people who want nothing to do with homosexuality and that is part of their religion. This needs to be respected imo.

 

[cjmillsnun]

I don't understand this sentence: "Basic today, after translation after translation."

"How much time have you spent in the original languages? You will be surprised, I guarantee you."
What are you arguing? That the translation I read is a bad copy of the original? That the thousands of God fearing scholars who translated the Bible and other ancient works are either A) in some sort of conspiracy or B) not very good at their jobs?

Pardon me if I've misunderstood you by assuming the worst, but I'm in a bit of a reactionary mode here.

Very much A)

The Bible was written by men after the event. These people had their own agenda. It has then been translated many times, every single time by men. Guess what, they were following an agenda.

 

[Meister]

I wish people would stop calling it a lifestyle.

We live our life as we see fit. We style our life. That's why for some it is a lifestyle. I agree that a lot of gays (especially outside the US) do not overly push their sex behaviour in peoples face. Same goes for straight people. Some straight people have built a whole lifestyle around their mating rituals. Others, gays or straights, choose not to engage in any sex acts. Every person is different and every person also has the right not to be involved in other peoples lifestyle.

 

[cjmillsnun]

I wish people would stop calling it a lifestyle.

This. It's not a choice.

 

[samiwas]

But there is people who want nothing to do with homosexuality and that is part of their religion. This needs to be respected imo.

Then it's up to THEM to avoid it if it tears them apart so much. It is not up to everyone else to tiptoe around someone because he doesn't want to be associated with homosexuals. It is up to him to stay away. Plain and simple.

 

[Night Spring]

You are right, that in the past gays were mistreated because of their sexual practices. This was wrong. But there is people who want nothing to do with homosexuality and that is part of their religion. This needs to be respected imo.

So what would constitute respect for people "who want nothing to do with homosexuality"?

 

[Night Spring]

If he can serve as an example of being less irresponsible than a promiscuous heterosexual then I will take what little good I can with the bad.

If we can agree that Tim Cook is a good role model for others regardless of their sexuality, I am satisfied.

May the peace of the lord be with you.

 

[Meister]

So what would constitute respect for people "who want nothing to do with homosexuality"?

I am not sure what you mean.

 

[brianvictor7]

Very much A)

The Bible was written by men after the event. These people had their own agenda. It has then been translated many times, every single time by men. Guess what, they were following an agenda.

Since you are new here you get one reply from me: are you saying that there are no women who have ever taken and interest in studying the original language of the texts? God bless.

 

[\-V-/]

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

Since you are new here you get one reply from me: are you saying that there are no women who have ever taken and interest in studying the original language of the texts? God bless.

I thought you were done with this thread?

We live our life as we see fit. We style our life. That's why for some it is a lifestyle. I agree that a lot of gays (especially outside the US) do not overly push their sex behaviour in peoples face. Same goes for straight people. Some straight people have built a whole lifestyle around their mating rituals. Others, gays or straights, choose not to engage in any sex acts. Every person is different and every person also has the right not to be involved in other peoples lifestyle.

No, calling it a lifestyle means you're saying it's a choice, which it isn't. The way people choose to live their lives is not the same as uncontrollable biological factors they were born with.

 

[Night Spring]

I am not sure what you mean.

You said people who want nothing to do with homosexuality needs to be respected. So what do you think we need to do / say to make them feel respected?