Late last month, Dan Savage, well known gay speaker and activist and speaker made some comments that some would consider to be offensive while speaking to students at a conference. Here's a link for greater detail:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/under-god/post/dan-savage-offends-with-comments-on-christainity/2012/04/30/gIQAhzIVsT_blog.html

He made profane comments about the Bible, and some students walked out. Like I've stated before, I don't have anything against gays, but I don't like listening to gay activists speak for this exact reason. I'm wondering if people heard about this and what their opinions are about this.

No, i think he was perfictally justified in saying it.
that would be the video there:


He never attacked it, he stated real things that are in the bible that people ignore, maybe its time to ignore this one too.

Now this is an attack:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50r0CnKq7_k&feature=related

I'm against listening to most any activists speak. But the reality is that he's right about Christians selectively choosing which parts of the Bible to follow and which parts not to. And he's right about the fact that Christians (not as a whole, mind you) love to talk bad about other religions, or other groups, but they don't handle it quite so well when people return the favor.

And the whole love the sinner hate the sin thing has bothered me for some time. It's a way to insult someone, and still put yourself on a moral high-horse. The saying can't be found anywhere in the Bible.

I would disagree with that. He cussed and was very demeaning towards the bible. For one thing I don't believe that's appropriate to do in front of high school students. Secondly, his claims were not even accurate about the bible. These people have the habit of over blowing statements made by the bible. When one actually reads the bible, he notices the greater emphasis placed on the sin rather than sinner. The Bible is very clear on hits hatred of sin but its love for the sinner and a way out of the sin. Their is no hatred against homosexuals in the bible that Mr Savage likes to assert. Like I said, this is why I don't listen to gay activists speak, especially about bullying because they become the bully when they rage against something that is not even there.

saying that gays should be beheaded isnt hatred?
Leviticus 20:13: "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."

"However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you.  You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land.  You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance.  You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way." (Leviticus 25:44-46 NLT)

What about it. The command was meant for Israel long ago. Sin does not change, but the way its dealt with has. The commands laid down to Israel have not changed but there were certain cultural specifics that were meant only for Israel in that day and age. These laws have to do with being clean and unclean and was meant for Israel. I find it fascinating that you and Dan Savage use a few mere verses on cultural cleanliness that were meant specifically for another culture from another time to explain Gods moral code on things even though there are already verses with that purpose that tell a completely different story. This is where Dan Savage has it wrong. Instead of looking at the big picture, he took verses that sounded bad and let it shape his view.

Hoochman : People, including you, are constantly using the Bible as justification for insulting homosexuality, but when a homosexual insults the Bible, it's not fair?

I can see exactly where Savage is coming from. If I were gay, I too would not be so fond of a book that implies what I am is wrong.

So where in the new testament does god say about gays?christians quote leviticus all the time yet refuse to quote the bits that sound bad, the term is cherry picking

thenumberone : The oft-quoted Leviticus 20:13 is a mistranslation anyway. It actually refers to men sleeping in the bed of a woman, which is the menstrual bed and considered unclean.

There is, however, some bit by Paul in the New Testament condeming homosexuality. Then again, Paul condemns all sorts of things; he's a nasty, sexist, homophobic old man. Even if I were a Christian, I can't see myself taking anything he says seriously.

I can already see why most of us are going to be divided on this. For the most part, it seems to all be a matter on what each of believe about the Bible. Those who do not believe it is true side with Dan Savage, those who do are offended.

I understand why people see us Christians as hypocrites; it is because we ourselves are still sinners and it is impossible for us to obey every commandment. In addition, some people cand read and understand the grammar of the Bible but cannot grasp it on a spiritual level.

Traduweise : We do not seek to seek to use the Bible to insult homosexuals, or anyone for that matter --though some people, Westboro Baptist Church of course, do take things the wrong way. The only reason it is taken as an insult, when spoken properly, is when the sin has been pinpointed; however, as it is stated in the Bible, "... [P]eople loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil."

Also, Paul only condemned sin. Adultery --which includes homosexuality-- is part of sin. I Thessalonians chapter 4.

AuraBlaze : We? Do you really suppose that all Christians are one homogenous group with the same ideas and opinions? Some of them genually have no problem with homosexuals, but when when you say that you have nothing against homosexuals, and then imply that their actions are evil, you will understand why people like Dan Savage speak out against the Bible.

And yes, Paul was a piece of work. When he wasn't condemning homosexuals, he was telling women they are inferior to men and nonsense like that.

It doesn't surprise me that some Christians walked out like "pansy asses". They all started to leave exactly as he said "The same way we have learned to ignore the bulls*** in the Bible about shellfish, slavery, ... farming, menstration, masturbation" ,  they just don't want to face the truth that the Bible was wrong or immoral on some topics. Instead of listening to what the man had to say, most likely revolving around promoting human rights, they just turn the other cheek and leave because he spoke the truth and they didn't like it (even though they likely agree).  I see nothing wrong with him offending a few Christians, they offend me all the time. Just from the sounds of the people cheering compared to a handful leaving, most people there seem to agree with him.

Hoochman: " This is where Dan Savage has it wrong. Instead of looking at the big picture, he took verses that sounded bad and let it shape his view."

No he was looking at the big picture and pointed out how there are verses in the Bible that not only sound bad but are illegal and morally wrong. He mentioned that most Jews and Christians don't follow these parts of the Bible like they used to and he suggests other old fashioned parts of the Bible to be treated the same way. Now tell me what is wrong with that? I don't quite understand how you can agree that women should be treated better than the Bible tells us (assuming you actually do agree with that) yet say some of these other immoral ancient beliefs are still valid. That to me is the definition of hypocrisy. I think it is you that isn't looking at the big picture.

smotpoker86 :
On the note of christians walking out because of disagreement
http://jonathanturley.org/2009/04/23/report-bill-nye-the-science-guy-revealed-as-godless-soulless-blasphemer-in-texas/

thenumberone : That is both hilarious and sad at the same time. I'm just glad he didn't tell them the earth isn't flat too , his head would be rollin. One person's comment sums up my opinion on it very well.

"Wait, I am confused. He was booed for saying the moon DOES NOT generate its own light? There are people who truly believe that the moon generates its own light and SO much hang on to this belief that it would be cause to carry an article in a local paper which headlined ignorant quotes from the “angry” mob? I guess I just didn’t realize that people existed who would take such a literal translation of the passage from Genesis."

You might get a laugh from this site, I know I did. http://theflatearthsociety.org/cms/ .  Apparently some people still do believe the earth is flat. I don't think the site is affiliated with any particular religion but I wouldn't doubt that the majority of people that believe it are religious. I visited the forum and it is mostly full of people disputing the flat earth idea, but the fact that such a site and belief still exists baffles me.

smotpoker86 :
"Welcome to the Flat Earth Society library. This is the largest collection of Flat Earth literature on the internet. I believe we also have the largest collection of Flat Earth Society newsletters anywhere in the world, online or in print."
the guy that made it must be joking, surely.
its a common misconception everyone thought the earth was flat, scientists had figured it out a long time ago, even the ancient greeks had theorised due to star patterns.
but the bible said it was flat so that was naturaly disregarded.
im sure im seeing the bigger, 3d picture here, as oposed to the singular plane 2d one =p
I think that if people take offence at holes being poked in their ideas/beliefs there faith isnt strong. Many religious people turned atheist ONLY do so because they are shunned for asking questions. So long as christians pick at gays, women, atheistr etc they have to expect the same back. Thats not insulting, thats debating, and its a cornerstone of democracy.

thenumberone : "but the bible said it was flat so that was naturaly disregarded. "

Book, chapter and verse please....


Also, if this guy is trying to promote tolerance then he is failing miserably.

geeogree :

Isaiah 11:12

"gather together the dispersed of Judah fromthe FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH."

Revelation 7:1


1 "And after these things I saw four angels standing on FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH, holding the four winds of the earth"

Job 38:13


13

"That it might take hold of the ENDS OF THE EARTH, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? (KJV)"

Jeremiah 16:19

"the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ENDS OF THE EARTH"

Daniel 4:11


11 "The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the ENDS OF ALL THE EARTH"

Matthew 4:8


8 "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them"

I could go on but that will do i think.

I am no scientist, but a sphere has no corners, and likewise no edges.

And as a result of this, it is impossible to see the entire earth from any point.

So how would you go about it?when entire nations, continents even, shun people on penalty of hell fire for supporting them. Thats a pretty large order.

He never said the bible was bull, he said christians ignored the bull like slavery, woman having to be virgins before marriage, and to throw in some of my own, killing your children if they defy you, not accumulating wealth, not being fat, women being mens property, having to cover or shave there hair, woman dont speak, dont have long hair if you're a man (yet jesus is portrayed with long hair), and dont get tatoos.

..... that's a figure of speech. It could be interpreted to mean the earth is flat but you can't honestly expect me to believe that the purpose of that phrase is to say the earth is flat. That's ridiculous.

and I'll end with this again:

"Also, if this guy is trying to promote tolerance then he is failing miserably."

Well its odd that so many chapters just so happen to coincidentally use the exact same phrasing.
Really, its pretty clear, i think you are looking for a way out by saying it could be just a phrase/expression, its pretty clear, its statd that a guy saw all of earth by climbing a mountain, if thats an expression its a new one one me.
I dont see how you can preach tolerance to people who are convinced intolerance is correct, i see no course of action for him to take that would actually sway christians away from intolerance toward people like himself.

In eden, no inteligence but free will.
Eat apple, gain inteligence.
Punished by god for seeking inteligence(with the help of a talking snake).
Put on earth.
Punished for using free will.

And yet putting it in the bible that the earth is flat is what strikes you as unlikely?
The bible also states the moon is a light and insinuates the stars arent suns, so its pretty evident there are incorrect parts, for example earth being flat.

It's not odd that it happens in multiple places.... that phrase has been used for thousands of years to mean the entire earth. Not sure why you've never heard it before.

"I dont see how you can preach tolerance to people who are convinced intolerance is correct, i see no course of action for him to take that would actually sway christians away from intolerance toward people like himself."

You're suggesting that Christians are intolerant.... but the guy that was talking is tolerant? Maybe you need to rethink how you define tolerance.

As for that quote you put in there, not sure where you found it but I've never seen it before myself. Apparently it's some sort of argument you're trying to make?

I never once claimed the Bible was perfect. It's not hard to take 10-20 words out of context from nearly any book and make it look like the person who wrote it had no idea what they were talking about. That's the typical attack on Christians though.