Aslan

>>No I’m not negative about homosexuals. They, like everyone, are valuable human beings. What I object to is _homosexuality_, and it pains me to see valuable human beings caught up in self-destructive lifestyle that can only in pain, suffering, misery and an early death. It has happened to two friends already.<<

Two friends - friends - I doubt that they felt like friends if you subjected them to the anti-homosexual rant you engage upon on these forums.

For the record I am happy, pain-free, confident and healthy and unashamedly bi-sexual. Dream on fellas.

Back on topic.

BD

I made a poor attempt at humour - I was simply refering to the many posts (not exclusively yours - although you are the most prolific) which contain excerpts from the bible. To an non-superstitious person continual quotes from this book appear as bible-bashing. Why is this response on topic? Because, even though I am an atheist I believe that religion (reflecting the community) can be taught in schools with voluntary participation and NOT restricted to christianity.

Why?

I had to attend religious instruction at the school I attended - hence I was able to form a fully informed lack of belief.

"Missionaries 'inflicted' on them"
bless you Garra :) I so love that one.

Ode to Freddy Mercury. Singapore 23/3/2001

Hey big guy, man ur really tough,
U took life by the handle, and strutted all your stuff
U belted out the music, and let us know you’re here
U told us over and over, that u had no fear

More Lovers than Madonna, wasn’t that you’re earthly anthem ?
Boys and girls alike, u always had to have them
U chewed life up, and spat it out, u did it all ‘your way”
But when the final song is done, doesn’t our Maker have the say ?

How curious my reflection, as I consider you’re intention
The course you chose, you’re colorful life, not without sensation
Nevertheless the irony is –the songs you sang for a crust
Became your own epitath.. “another one bites the dust”

Im not a one to point the bone, nor the accusing finger
In such a case, there’s nothing else, but a guilt that will linger
You might have had a speck, in the corner of your eye
But the one who has the plank, …………is I.

Although that plank is long, and often blinds my way
The experience of grace, is something I should say
It means there IS an answer, to the emptiness within
And when our heart is open, new life can then begin.

Bosk,
I suggest you read my post again rather than post your impressions of what I had said. An important word * is missing - "NOT".
Quote,"Um Philo you said in your last post that independent schools have * been free of homosexuals molesting boys."

In research done in SA it was found that molestation of boys by homosexuals comprising 2 - 3 % of the population were 26 times more likely to molest boys than any other group. This study was done within religious schools / youth groups / Church. There is a predisposed attitude of this group toward fresh young beautiful boys (to use their term). Naive, spiritual young boys who admire adult males are vunerable to their priming and petting.

Australia: Islamic Schools

Schools face scrutiny on doctrine

The Age, Russell Skelton, August 7, 2005

"Independent schools - including Victoria's seven Islamic colleges - will be required to teach a curriculum consistent with Australian democratic values under State Government reforms. The Government, which is to establish a new regulatory authority, has warned it will crack down on non-government schools where there is inappropriate teaching or antisocial behaviour. Acting Education Minister Jacinta Allan told The Sunday Age: "All schools in Victoria must conform with all Victorian and Australian laws relating to equal opportunity and racial vilification...."

At; http://www.theage.com.au/news/war-on-terror/schools-face-scrutiny-on-doctrine/2005/08/06/1123125945560.html

Parents concerned over college imams

The Age, Russell Skelton, August 7, 2005

"Parents of children at Werribee Islamic College have been concerned for some time about the poor quality of teaching by visiting imams and have made their concerns known to the management, The Sunday Age believes. Parents are also said to be opposed to the decision to set up a school in Jakarta, believing the money should be used to improve the school and raise teaching standards. Werribee Islamic College is believed to receive more than $6 million from the state and federal governments and raises $2 million from fees, believed to be about $2000 a year per child...."

At: http://www.theage.com.au/news/war-on-terror/parents-concerned-over-college-imams/2005/08/06/1123125945261.htm

Philo
I stand corrected concerning your original statement. My apologies. However the study you quote is irrelevant unless it has been done by written up in an accredited, peer reviewed journal. I know of MANY reviews of such a nature. The thing that links them is 1) the writers have an agenda to push [i.e. that homosexuality is evil or disordered]. I can do a report that finds that Christians are 100 times more likely to abuse children. Such a report would be so prejudiced as to be worthless & it's methodology would be extrmely questionable but it would be there & just as valuable as your report. 2) That such reports are NEVER published in peer reviewed journals where their methodology would receive critical scrutiny. That's not their purpose which is NOT to convince professionals of this views validity but true believers such as yourself.
The FACT is that GIRLS comprise the majority of sexual abuse victims. This is shown not only in peer reviewed journals but also in thousands of police reports. Since girls would be abused by heterosexuals it then follows that the majority of abusers are heterosexuals.
Now if your study were correct then this would not be so. They would comprise only 3-4% of abuse cases. I think I prefer to believe reality over any report Philo.
Summary: 1) your report is from a group with it's own agenda. 2) your report does not appear in an accedited peer reviewed journal. 3) your report does NOT agree with reality. Finally please NOTE: what would you accept as evidence that you are wrong in your views concerning homosexuals? you have NEVER stated the grounds on which you would consider your beliefs falsified. I can only conclude from this that there are NO grounds. In other words your opinions concerning homosexuals are NOT based on any amount of evidence but pure belief. ie. you believe because you believe & that's all.

To Philo & BD
You might be interested in this quote from a peer reviewed publication Philo. Please note the last sentence.
'from 'Adult Sexual Orientation and Attraction to
Underage Person', Archives of Sexual Behavior, 1978,
Vol. 7(3), by Nicolas Groth and H. Jean Birnbaum:
"... in over 12 years of clinical experience working
with child molesters, we have yet to see any example
of a regression from an adult homosexual
orientation. The child offender who is also
attracted to and engaged in adult sexual
relationships is heterosexual. It appears,
therefore, that the adult heterosexual male
constitutes a greater sexual risk to underage
children than does the adult homosexual male.'