Eels Blogs

I wrote this yesterday but wasnt sure whether to post it. But then I thought bugger it why not, cant be worse than some other blogs here. Please excuse the disjointedness, as you would realise its a difficult subject and Im trying hard not to offend.

Can I again throw something out there that some still dont quite get.

It was said in the other blog that Gay wasnt a choice but Religion was and then flowed on accusing people of saying this or doing that.

I dont want this to be a discussion about Religion or Gay rights etc. Id like this to be a discussion about how we can sometimes forget how our early life reflects our current belief system and how some of the things we think and do are not really choices because its how we were brought up and what we think is OK.

Now;

Without saying Im pro Religion (which Im not) or Homophobic (again which Im not), or that I want this thread to get into another argument over religion etc (I dont want that either); I just want to point out that EVERYONES personal experience leads them to where they are today and how they think and act. No one is the same and on one can say otherwise.

Is Religion a choice? in 90% of cases probably. But what about those cases where you have grown up with it, it can be a type of brain washing that has you believing there is no choice, just the same as being brought up say hunting, you can believe that there is nothing wrong with killing animals. Most of what we believe is embedded deep inside the first 15 years of life eg Look at those Jihadist kids and what they have done and what they believe to be true, did they choose their life, their religion? How easily can they be convinced that what they believe is wrong?

Im not saying this is the case in all situations but even if its in 1%, the person you are arguing with may be in that 1%.

I was brought up in a church going family and even now (though I dont attend), I find it hard to believe that there cant be a God and do a lot of reading to try and untangle the web of lies from both sides and still no closer to the answer. However Im convinced that religion is wrong because people have fked with it.

For those who dont believe, why? Do you know for a fact, had a bad experience or believe what some random stranger has written in a text book. Lets face it, even the bible (Gods word) which was translated from Hebrew to Latin to English may have errors. Anyone who has had experience with translations would know that not every language has words with the same meanings and not everyone understands the original intent and therefore can mix up the translation. So unless you speak Hebrew and have access to the original text, what you are saying may be correct (it is Gods word), but what you are reading ie English version of the bible, may not be the true meaning.

Now regarding gay relationships; surely there are cases, even if its 1% of people choosing to be in a gay relationship for other reasons other than being born 'that way'. Some may come from an experience overseas, maybe some can even be brainwashed into believing that the uncertain feelings they have is their body telling them they are gay. I heard on the radio a man who said he was in a gay sex only relationship because his wife wasnt interested and he said it served his 'urge'. Now whether that is true or not (and he had no reason to ring up and say that) noone really knows. But does it really matter, except to say that not all gay relationships are identical.

Regarding Homophobia or other phobias; Is someone who makes a comment that might be taken the wrong way phobic? Surely it comes down to the intent of the comment. As Ive said before my son's generation calls friends that do something 'different' gay. I didnt teach him this but does that make him homophobic or is it just another generation coming up with their own language or terms. I also have an Indian worker who calls me white bread and I call him Mars bar. Neither of us take it the wrong way, but Ive be told by some who overhear parts of the conversation esp while Im on my phone, and call me a racist. Am I a racist?

Rather than thinking what we believe to be true as absolute, how about thinking about whether the opposing view may have some truth or try and understand why that person might feel that way or at least give the benefit of doubt before throwing the racist, Islamophobic, homophobic etc response around.

If nothing else it may make your convictions stronger but it may also give you more tolerance to those with opposing views. Just because someone has an opposing view, doesnt mean they have a phobia. Theres a big difference between someone making 1 negative comment about a race and someone who's daily going out of their way the belittle a race or any other minority.

Tolerance on both sides may make the debates here a little boring, but it may be the start to something bigger and better inside each one of us. Rather than pushing discussion and therefore enlightenment underground, how about we discuss and learn from one another.

PS This was never intended to offend anyone, more just a last opportunity before the 1 Feb deadline to get us thinking about others. Outside the Box.