Sex and Religion - From Purity Balls to Sacred Homosexuality

Endsjø, Dag Øistein: Sex og religion

  Religion prohibits and orders sex, condemns and blesses, punishes and rewards. The gender of your sex partner, your marital status, the colour of your skin, your religion or caste are all factors that can lead you to redemption or perdition. Welcome to the sexual universe of religion.

While Christian teenage girls go to balls where they promise God that they will relinquish sex until they are married, Buddhist monks call attention to gay sex as a holy mystery. There is no simple key to the relation between sex and religion. While the sexual religious debate in Norway is centred on gay people’s place in church, others ask whether there should be death penalty for hetero sex, whether promiscuity leads to hurricanes and nuclear war, whether God condemns marriage between black and white and why some religious sex rules are emphasized while others are forgotten.

In SEX AND RELIGION, the author takes a closer look at the different religions’ attitude towards straight sex and gay sex, sex racism and daemon sex, duty sex and abstinence, oral sex, anal sex, divorce and bigamy. The book also covers what the religions say about the consequences of different types of sex, how sex is used ritually and notions of sex beyond the human existence.

Click here to download a translated excerpt
 
First published: 2009, Universitetsforlaget
Dag Øistein Endsjø: Biography and Bibliography

Upside down Teapartys and such

The Worker’s Party Candidate for President in Brasil, Dilma, just reversed her stand on GLBT rights (marriage) and abortion to please the Evangelicals / Catholics… the 3^rd  runner up (with 25% of the vote) was a wacky Sarah Palinesque evangelical the PT threw out for her homophobia) its causing all hell to break out on blogs and lists in Brasil. The PT has been at the forefront of GLBT rights in Brasil, and now the more moderate candidate is the progressive one?

The other Candidate Serra (Democratic Socialist) has promised to sign a gay marriage bill…

It’s like an upside down teaparty in Brasil.  They really are modern now, it seems they have learned to play the GLBT and evangelical cards. I keep telling folks… the world does not need another USA.

After Prop 8 here, I have a deep distrust (if not prejudice, the Buddhist are helping me sand off the hatred) towards Baha’is, Mormons, Evangelicals and the Catholic Church (individual members not so much, but institutions yes). The Buddhist meditation is working, but I have a lot of work to go to develop a sense of compassion for these bigots…

The world is indeed very, very odd these days.

Via HimalayaCrafts:

On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him.

(सिद्धार्थ गौतम)

Via HimalayaCrafts:

All things appear and disappear because of the concurrence of causes and conditions. Nothing ever exists entirely alone; everything is in relation to everything else.
(सिद्धार्थ गौतम)

Via Bil Browning / Belirico: Just when you thought the gay agenda was complicated

Do you ever get frustrated with the seeming lack of planning around LGBT issues? Tired of the gay agenda looking more like a kindergarten drawing than a roadmap for success? Weary of trying to decipher what the hell is really going on and how it all relates?
Author J.K. Rowling charts out the plots for all of her Harry Potter books and a page of the graph for her fifth book, Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix, has been leaked to the public. After taking a peek at this (and trying to decipher her handwriting), you'll realize that the gay agenda has a lot of work to do to be as organized as a children's book about magic.
Maybe what our movement needs is a good Scourgify spell casting.
The chart is after the jump. You can clickety to embiggen.

Continue reading "Just when you thought the gay agenda was complicated" » Read  

It Gets Better

Via JMG: Feds Denounce Pet Insurance Story

In reference to the post several below this one, the Office Of Personnel Management has issued this statement:

"Stories claiming that the federal government offers pet insurance to federal employees, and juxtaposing that benefit with the fact that the federal government cannot under current law provide health insurance benefits to federal employees' domestic partners are grossly inaccurate. While Aetna is a participating carrier in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), the pet insurance product offered by Aetna is not a federal benefit, nor has it been listed as a benefit in any OPM prepared or reviewed materials. Aetna, on its own initiative, offers a variety of discount products to its members, including gym memberships, weight loss programs, eyewear, vitamins, etc. Pet insurance is one of these products.

"Aetna has apologized for using the reference to FEHBP in its communication on this discount program. OPM regrets that Aetna's error is being cited by some as evidence that same-sex domestic partner health insurance benefits for federal employees are not a priority by OPM and the Administration. Nothing could be further from the truth.

"The Obama Administration believes in granting equal rights and benefits to gay and lesbian federal employees as demonstrated by the President's strong support of the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, which will provide full benefits to same-sex partners of federal workers. The Director of OPM has testified in both the Senate and the House in favor of its passage."

(Via - Steve Rothaus @ Miami Herald)

 

Labels: DOMA, feds, insurance, Obama administration, pets

reposted from Joe

Via JMG: Chris Salvatore - It Gets Better

Via NPR: Councilman's Message To Gay Youths Draws Huge Response(131)

The Two-Way

Councilman's Message To Gay Youths Draws Huge Response(131)

October 15, 2010 Joel Burns told NPR he has received more than 12,000 phone and e-mail messages, which friends and family members are helping him listen to.
Summary

ListenPlaylist

• Student's Suicide Highlights Bullying Over Sexuality

Dylan Ratigan Blasts Bill O'Reilly, 'War On Islam' On 'Morning Joe' (VIDEO)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/15/dylan-ratigan-oreilly-islam_n_764598.html

Visit to the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace at the Kim Quang Temple - Sacramento

http://www.jadebuddha.org.au/en/

Dear Daniel,  As LGBT people and straight allies observed National Coming Out Day, the so-called National Organization "for" Marriage proved that it's never too early to start celebrating Halloween. And what better way to do so than a masquerade?  The fringe group, which is known for funneling millions of dollars into anti-LGBT ballot initiatives and anti-equality candidates, also maintains a non-profit arm, the "Ruth Institute," to conduct what passes for education work in their eyes (for the truth about LGBT people and our families, visit our website).  Under section 501(c)(3) of the federal tax code, non-profit groups have the privilege of not paying taxes and allowing their donors to deduct their contributions on their individual tax returns. However, in exchange for this privileged tax-exempt status, they cannot endorse or oppose candidates for elected office and must stick to a charitable mission (or, in the Ruth Institute's case, misinformation campaigns).  As it turns out, the non-profit arm of our favorite falsehood machine is a political entity masquerading as a charitable group. The Ruth Institute is dedicating staff and resources to political campaigns, including: Campaigning to defeat Iowa Supreme Court justices who ruled in favor of marriage equality; Campaigning for Carly Fiorina, the anti-LGBT candidate running for Barbara Boxer's U.S. senate seat, including the Institute's president appearing at pro-Fiorina rallies; Participating in California judicial elections. All of these actions violate federal law.  Working with the Courage Campaign, we are breaking up their costume party. This week, HRC and the Courage Campaign filed a complaint with the IRS, urging them to investigate the Ruth Institute's illegal political campaign activity, revoke its tax-exempt status and issue an injunction to prevent the Ruth Institute or the NOM Education Fund from committing violations in the future. You can read our release and the full complaint here.   It seems that once again, the National Organization "for" (against our) Marriage prefers politics to education. This year they ought to take a lesson from all of the brave LGBT Americans who live open and honest lives in spite of the lies that groups like NOM throw at us. Thanks so much. Joe Solmonese President, Human Rights Campaign

nonprofit software

Via JMG: Feds: You Can Buy Health Insurance For Your Poodle, But Not For Your Partner

All my listservs are blowing up this afternoon with the news that while LGBT federal employees may not purchase health insurance for their partners (thanks to DOMA), they can buy health insurance for their pets. Members of the Federal Employees Health Benefits plan received the below ad today.HRC's Joe Solmonese goes off via press release:

"Current law puts federal workers' parrots ahead of their partners," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "It is time for Congress to act to put people first and extend health care benefits equally to all of their employees." [snip] In fact, 57% of Fortune 500 companies offer domestic partner benefits to their employees. HRC is not aware of any statistics regarding pet insurance offerings by the Fortune 500. The President has instructed federal agencies to "conduct a thorough review of the benefits they provide and to identify any that could be extended to LGBT employees and their partners and families" and some limited benefits have been extended. But because of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), Congress must pass the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act to extend critical health care benefits. The President has called on Congress to pass DPBO (S.1102 and H.R.2517) which has been passed in House and Senate committees but awaits floor action.

Labels: DOMA, feds, insurance, Obama administration

reposted from Joe

Why Homosexuality Should Be Banned

IT GETS BETTER: Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire

Via JMG:

Tweet Of The Day - Barack Obama

Labels: Barack Obama, DADT, Tweet Of The Day

posted by Joe

Via HimalayaCrafts:

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.
(सिद्धार्थ गौतम)

DADT Plaintiff Alexander Nicholson Speaks To Keith Olbermann

Joel Burns tells gay teens ' it gets better'

Via JMG: Washington Post Publishes Editorial From Mother Of Dead Bullied Gay Child

In response to widespread criticism for publishing an anti-gay editorial from Family Research Council head Tony Perkins, the Washington Post has posted a response from the mother of 11 year-old Carl Walker-Hoover, who took his life last year after relentless homophobic bullying. An excerpt:

I am a single mother and a devout Christian who had never been involved in advocacy work or politics. After my son died, and GLSEN reached out to me, some of my friends and family members expressed concern about the organization's work to address anti-gay bullying in school. They voiced religious opposition to GLSEN. Thanks to Tony Perkins' On Faith piece published yesterday, I don't have to repeat the arguments. Perkins' lays them all out practically word for word. And they're all wrong. [snip]

If schools perceive addressing anti-gay bullying as a controversial issue, then they'll continue the status quo of putting their heads in the sand and hoping the issue takes care of itself. It won't. And we need to be clear on one thing - addressing anti-gay bullying is not a controversial issue. If you move through the smoke screen organizations like Family Research Council try to create, you realize addressing anti-gay bullying is simply the right thing to do if we care about all of our young people.

Read the entire essay.

Labels: bullying, Carl Walker-Hoover, education, LGBT youth, religion, suicide, Tony Perkins, WaPo

reposted from Joe

Perez Hilton Pledges to Be Kind on Ellen (2010-10-13)

Via JMG: Broadway Company of CHICAGO - It Gets Better

Via JMG: Another Bizarre Lie From Sarah Palin

Speaking to an quivering teabagger audience in Montgomery, Alabama, Sarah Palin said this:

"I tell Bristol, I am texting her and say 'Bristol'...and I wasn't kidding, I thought that this was a practical thing to do...'How about if Todd and I we load up all the kids in our motorhome and drive down, park on Rodeo Drive and we come to see you.' And I honestly didn't think that it was an unusual thing to suggest, that's what you do, a road trip. (...) But anyway, that's what we did, though, we parked a little bit further away from Rodeo Drive, and we got to watch Bristol."

Palingates did some fact-checking, noting that the 3375-mile drive from Wasilla to Los Angeles would take forever. And unless the Palin motorhome has a jet engine, there's no way she could have been in Los Angeles a mere two days after being photographed at her home in Alaska. Aaaand there's the pesky little fact of being seen on an Alaska Airlines flight to from Portland to Los Angeles on the day before the show. Oops!

Palingates makes the obvious conclusion: "The 'road trip' only existed in Sarah Palin's crazy mind - she shamelessly used this made-up story to impress her audience in Montgomery."

Labels: GOP, liars, Sarah Palin, Tea Party, teabaggers

reposted from Joe

Rachel Maddow- Culture war shows GOPs true face

Via JMG: BREAKING: Federal Judge Orders Military To Suspend Enforcement Of DADT

This just in via Daily Kos: "U.S. district judge Virginia A. Phillips orders the Defense Department to 'immediately to suspend and discontinue any investigation, or discharge, separation, or other proceeding.'" Phillips' ruling regards the case brought by the Log Cabin Republicans.

Here's the text of the order:

1) DECLARES that the act known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" infringes the fundamental rights of United States servicemembers and prospective servicemembers and violates (a) the substantive due process rights guaranteed under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and (b) the rights to freedom of speech and to petition the Government for redress of grievances guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

(2) PERMANENTLY ENJOINS Defendants United States of America and the Secretary of Defense, their agents, servants, officers, employees, and attorneys, and all persons acting in participation or concert with them or under their direction or command, from enforcing or applying the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Act and implementing regulations, against any person under their jurisdiction or command;

(3) ORDERS Defendants United States of America and the Secretary of Defense immediately to suspend and discontinue any investigation, or discharge, separation, or other proceeding, that may have been commenced under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Act, or pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 654 or its implementing regulations, on or prior to the date of this Judgment.

(4) GRANTS Plaintiff Log Cabin Republicans' request to apply for attorneys' fees pursuant to the Equal Access to Justice Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2412; and

(5) GRANTS Plaintiff Log Cabin Republicans' request to file a motion for costs of suit, to the extent allowed by law.

The Advocate notes:

In her order Phillips did not specify when the injunction would become effective. Justice Department attorneys have objected in court to the immediate halt of DADT enforcement and may appeal the injunction to the U.S. court of appeals for the ninth circuit.

Servicemembers United reacts via press release:

"This order from Judge Phillips is another historic and courageous step in the right direction, a step that Congress has been noticeably slow in taking," said Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United and the sole named veteran plaintiff in the case along with the Log Cabin Republicans. "While this is certainly news to be celebrated, we would also advise caution in advance of a potential stay from the Ninth Circuit. If the appellate court wishes to put itself on the right side of history, however, it will allow this sound and long-over due decision to remain in effect."

The case that won the injunction, Log Cabin Republicans vs. United States of America, was originally filed in 2004. Just last month, and after a two-week trial in July, Judge Phillips issued her final ruling in the case, finding that the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law was unconstitutional on first and fifth amendment grounds. She also indicated her intent to issue an injunction barring further discharges in light of that finding. A copy of the injunction can be found at www.ServicemembersUnited.org/injunction.

Labels: DADT, DOD, LGBT rights, Log Cabin Republicans, military

reposted from Joe

Via Truthout: Federal Judge Bars Enforcement of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Igor Volsky, Think Progress: "Earlier today, Judge Virginia Phillip - the California federal judge who ruled that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell violated the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment and freedom of speech under the First Amendment - granted the Log Cabin Republican’s request for a broad injunction against further discharges."

Read the Article

Via Dusty: Homophobia Literally Kills: Yankees Game

 Homophobia Literally Kills: Yankees Game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpq4RKYd4wQ

Homophobia Literally Kills: Yankees Game

www.youtube.com

Yankees fans routinely sing a version of "Y.M.C.A." to fans of opposing teams during their ballgames that demonizes gay people. As NAACP Chairman Julian Bond has said, "homophobia literally kills", and it is this kind of homophobia that leads to anti-gay bullying and harassment at our schools and L...

Via HimalayaCrafts:

Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.

Via HimalayaCrafts:

In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.

Blog Action Day 2010: Water

Blog Action Day 2010: Water from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Via JMG: Carl Siciliano talks about LGBT Teen Suicides

Via JMG: Stand Up To Youth Suicide - Video Montage

Via JMG: It Gets Better -- and Funnier

Via JMG: SERBIA: Riot Police Clash With Violent Anti-Gay Protesters At Belgrade Pride

Serbian riot battled hundreds of neo-Nazi anti-gay rioters at Belgrade Pride today, fighting back against hurled Molotov cocktails with stun grenades. Over 100 injuries were reported and almost 200 rioters were arrested.

Thousands of police officers sealed off the streets in the capital where the march took place, repeatedly clashing at several locations with rioters who were trying to burst through security cordons. Several parked cars were set on fire or damaged, shop windows were broken, garbage containers were overturned and streets signs destroyed. Several shops were looted before police restored peace late afternoon. The anti-gay rioters also fired shots and threw Molotov cocktails at the headquarters of the ruling pro-Western Democratic Party, setting the garage of the building on fire. The state TV building and other political parties headquarters were also attacked, with many of the house windows shattered by stones. The protesters, chanting "death to homosexuals!" hurled bricks, stones, glass bottles and stun grenades at riot police. Police responded by firing tear gas and deploying armored vehicles to disperse the charging protesters in the heart of the capital even after the brief pride march ended.

The president of Serbia denounced the attacks, saying, "Serbia will guarantee human rights for all its citizens, regardless of the differences among them, and no attempts to revoke these freedoms with violence will be allowed." Serbia's Minister of Justice said that those arrested face up to eight years in prison. Early reports don't indicate whether any of Belgrade Pride's attendees were injured. Last year's pride parade was canceled over the threat of violence.

Labels: Belgrade, gay bashing, gay Pride, religion, Serbia

reposted from Joe

It Gets Better Project: Sassy Gay Friend AKA Brian Gallivan

Quote of the day Via the Coffee Party Movement:

"Um sonho que você sonha sozinho é apenas um sonho. Um sonho que você sonha junto é realidade".

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." 

-- John Winston Ono Lennon (October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980) 

Lennon would have been 70 today

Happy Birthday John Lennon

Imagine:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okd3hLlvvLw

Socially Engaged Buddhism

What is socially engaged Buddhism?
Socially engaged Buddhism is a dharma practice that flows from the understanding of the complete yet complicated interdependence of all life. It is the practice of the bodhisattva vow to save all beings. It is to know that the liberations of ourselves and the liberation of others are inseparable. It is to transform ourselves as we transform all our relationships and our larger society. It is work at times from the inside out and at times from the outside in, depending on the needs and conditions. It is to see the world through the eye of the Dharma and to respond emphatically and actively with compassion.
----Donald Rothberg and Hozan Alan Senauke
Turning Wheel/Summer-Fall - 2008

Buddhist Alliance for Social Engagement (BASE)

Thank you for your interest in BASE! Below, we’ve answered some common questions about the program. If you are interested in participating in an upcoming BASE group or if you have another question not addressed here, please contact Tyson at base@bpf.org.

Read More

Resources for Engaged Buddhism

Read More

 Thanks to Buddhist Peace Fellowship

It Gets Better - Youth Pride Chorus

Via Belirico:

"Practically, we shouldn't be teaching children to accept homosexuality as normal, we should be teaching them to accept people who are not normal."

-- Bilerico contributor Yasmin Nair in an interview with Time Out Chicago about the Against Equality book tour.

Via Belirico: Breathe gentle - Tiziano Ferro feat. Kelly Rowland (ufficiale)

Via 365gay: Corvino: Bullying, the blame game

All Culture & Ideas

Corvino: Bullying, the blame game

By John Corvino, columnist, 365gay.com 10.08.2010

Tragedies like Tyler Clementi's suicide should lead each of us to ask: What have we done to contribute to such a world? To allow it? To repair it? Read more...