Amarillo College Ranger

Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: Religion & Politics

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On a recent Saturday afternoon, my dad and I were having a chat over a cup of coffee. He shared with me a quote he had heard somewhere before, but he couldn't remember who said it. It went something like this: "What one generation tolerates, the second generation accepts and the third generation celebrates."

I have to admit that the first thing that came to my mind when I heard that quote is the progression of homosexuality in the American culture. There was a time in this country as short as half a century ago when a person who felt they had homosexual tendencies would keep it to himself or herself because it was such a taboo in our society. As time passed, however, more and more people began to come out of the closet. The hippie "free love" movement in the '60s was key to helping make this happen.

Traditionalists didn't like it, but over time more and more of them just learned to keep their mouths shut even though they didn't agree with the lifestyle. Somewhere along the line, the once household word "gay" transformed from meaning joy and happiness to a term used to describe homosexuals. That was just one way people became desensitized to the matter.

Today in America, there are "gay pride parades" taking place at big theme parks, which is a great example of how something once merely tolerated by the vast majority of American people now is widely and openly celebrated.

Although I believe the homosexual lifestyle is morally wrong, I am a friend to many homosexuals. I have never acted as though I was better than someone because they are not straight. Rather, I have befriended a number of people who are romantically involved with those of the same sex. However, I never try to make even my homosexual friends believe that I think there's nothing wrong with the lifestyle. I think they all know how I stand on the issue, but I love them anyway the same way Jesus Christ has loved me through my sin.

I recall one incident when I was hanging out with a friend of mine who has a homosexual friend who was with us. Something came up about an issue relating to homosexuality, and I somehow expressed my disapproval of it. Later in the day, the guy called my friend and said, "Hey, I didn't know your friend was a gay hater."

Continued...

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