The following poll was taken by BET following the controversial episode of Meet The Faith featuring Keith Boykin and Sheryl Lee Ralph on homophobia in the black church and the results are not surprising but rather sad given how far we've come as a society on this issue. It looks like we've still got a lot of work to do when it comes to educating our own about the lives of black gays and lesbians. 61% of those polled said they believed homosexuality is a choice. It baffles me that over half of the black folks questioned still believe sexual orientation is a choice. I could stand on my soapbox and rant and rave about the ignorance of some of my people when it comes to issues of sexuality and gender expression but I won't. I've written about it before here . I also find it extremely disturbing that most African-Americans identify as christians and only 29% of those polled believed that religion should be about love and tolerance. The last time I checked being a christian meant being Christ-like. Hmmm...what would Jesus really do? Show love or intolerance? The debate continues here.
The Poll
We asked you, "Should the Black church stop condemning and start accepting Black gays and lesbians?" And here's how you voted:
About 64 percent of you said, "No. Most Christians believe it's wrong, and if you see people going down the wrong path, you should try to save them."
About 29 percent of you said, "Yes. Religion should be about love and tolerance."
About 7 percent of you said, "I don't know."
We also asked you, "Is homosexuality a choice or natural preference?"
About 61 percent of you said, "It's a choice."
About 24 percent of you said, "It's a natural preference. You're born that way."
Yet another reason why I don't watch BET. Their programming is wack and their viewers are idiots.
ReplyDeleteDarian: I'm curious about what the result of a BET Poll on hetersexuality would be. Is it a choice? Is it the way people are born?
ReplyDeleteI agree, we have along way to go on this issue!
Sexual orientation is NOT innate. Yes, Christianity is to be "Christ-like", but being like Christ is the doing just that- changing from wicked ways and deeds of the flesh, which homosexuality is a wicked and vile deed of the flesh. Even the Apostle Paul addressed this issue with the early church that misused their bodies outside the elements in which God has created.
ReplyDeleteI hope society reinforce and for Christians to stand behind the moral aspect in not allowing sin to dictate to the church how it should be governed. Christ loved all that came to Him, but not for Him to accept them and their sin, but to be changed, and cleansed from all that they did that did not represent the full nature of Christ. HOMOSEXUALITY DOES NOT REPRESENT CHRIST!
Last tim I checked, Jesus was the chief cornerstone and the head of the church, not an organization of homosexual men and women poisoning the bible for fit their vile affections as natural and acceptable behaviors.
Captain,
ReplyDeleteI really want you to get another word to describe homosexuality other than "vile", you have really run that word into the ground. It's old and tired and you use it so much that it's losing it's intended "sting". I swear I'm getting so close to banning you from the site.
With all of the religious condemnation you throw around you fail to think critically about any topic that's presented . You of all people should know a person doesn't choose to be gay. You were a "practicing" homosexual for quite a while and I'm almost certain you would never choose to be something you consider to be...for lack of a better word, VILE .
Contrary to the conservative right-wing crap you digest and regurgitate sexual orientation is innate. I know that's hard for people like you to accept because then your hatred doesn't feel justified. When are you gonna learn people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Clean out your own closet first. Better yet just come out of your closet.
Ha..as always, you misinterpreted my statement.
ReplyDelete