Norm

1. Mainstream, without hitting the Webster's, is considered what is typical of or practiced by the majority. Only if you think that the bulk of the population is homosexual can you disagree that heterosexuality is not considered mainstream. To even make that statement says to me you just want to continue to argue for no other reason than to try and yell louder than the other side. 2. Different was a term used in these posts, I believe at one point by AD. To say it's a euphemism for something else is to claim to know someone else's thoughts ... It is arrogant and implies a morally superior attitude. Isn't that one of the accusations you have made of those on the conservative right? 3. In the discussion of Prop 8, what rights are being denied? The right to call the union a marriage? I don't see the "denial of equality" because of the refusal to change the definition of a term rooted in not only civil but religious tradition. All that said, I think you make some very valid points. While I was raised in a conservative Catholic household and do believe in God, I also think that organized religion has a history of corruption and changes in stance based on their own best interests. They hold the most clear and blatant anti-gay policies .... and coming from a man with a bi-sexual daughter I sincerely disagree in the interpretation that homosexuality is immoral .... although it is different that mainstream sexual behavior.

Wow .... quite a passionate set of opinions. In reading this post while I let the TV babysit my kids for the moment (please let's not start a debate about that one) I would like to say this .... The one issue that seems to get twisted is the idea that because to call something different is to call it less than. Personally, I support the supposition that marriage is defined as a union in the eyes of God between a man and a woman. It is a personal preference based on my life experience and I think to change the definition does take us down that slippery slope that AD speaks of. That said, different doesn't imply less than, thus to say that gay's are less than straight's based on a statement like that gives away one's bias (even perhaps their bigotry). That said, I disagree with the Chruch's stance of homosexuality as sinful. It is however, different, than what is commonly agreed on as mainstream sexuality. To accuse someone of bigotry because they are against the concept of their children being taught that something "different" is "not different" creates confusion. I believe it is a frivolous use of education because teaching tolerance and love for one's fellow man is the job of parent's and family, not for Ms. Smith, my history teacher. My .02