6 Comments

1. 

   Nick Thomas on November 9, 2008 at 5:36 pm

   I don’t believe in a heaven or a hell. I know why Bishop Finn expressed his view in regard to eternal salvation. But what is missing here is an acknowledgement by the religious community that not all of us are believers. Should we (the non-believers) submit to laws based on the religious prejudices of the majority? Are we not a secular nation? I believe we are. And as such I do not appreciate laws denying our right to be treated as equal citizens of this country. Many of my gay friends are Christians and they do not accept that God is intolerant of gays. We should all respect one another’s beliefs, but not impose them on others. I know there are some out there who worry about our life after death. As I said, I do not believe in an afterlife. I do not believe in a punishment for being bad or a reward for being good. Many do not accept the bible as the “Word of God”. But merely a guide to living a Christian life. Bishop Finn is worried about our eternal salvation. That’s fine. He is entitled to express his beliefs. But so to am I. Don’t worry about us Bishop Finn. We are going to be okay. Nothing is going to happen after we breath our last breath of life. From dust we came. To dust we shall return. All that we were in life will live on in the memories of those living persons whom we touched during our lives. Hopefully the memories will be good ones. Maybe not all, but the sum of our life will have served some useful purpose. This is what the person who is Nick Thomas believes. As for Steve? I hope you are at peace with the words expressed by Steve. I care for you John and want you to be happy. We’re here for you.

2. 

   Jarno on November 11, 2008 at 10:56 am

   John, I just wanted to pop in to your web site to wish you all the best. I have a similar experience with one on my old friend and it took many years to go over it. Anyhow, I’m sure there are so many wonderful people in this world who know how lucky they are to know you – an honest, positive, bright, caring and tender man.

3. 

   Oliver Twist on November 12, 2008 at 3:45 am

   There are a lot of assholes here in Baguio City as well. They’re on Session Road (the main thoroughfare of the city) wearing placards saying ‘Gays and Lesbians Will Burn in Hell’ in local dialect while babbling memorized passages from the Bible. It’s so sad that there are people who don’t understand the consequences of their actions and statements. Why is there so much bigotry and hatred around? I was tempted to ask these people where they got the idea that my salvation is dictated by my sexuality. But of course, its useless to argue with them since they’re just gonna give a long lecture via Bible passages which they themselves don’t understand.

4. 

   norman in san diego on November 12, 2008 at 2:24 pm

   Hi, John,

   Thank you, thank you for verbalizing what I have been feeling for a week about Proposition 8 and how this initiative succeeded: with large financial support from religious institutions. These people talk about the sanctity of marriage, but they don’t talk about divorce, which, if you follow their train of thought, is actually a slap in the face of their god. All the words they use (sacred, traditional, sanctity) are meant to sow fear and insecurity into the minds of the “blind” faithful in a very insidious way. Almost clever, I should say, but abominable.

   Regarding Steve — all I can tell you is that (speaking from experience) I have learned to accept that friendships evolve (or devolve as some put it). I don’t believe friendships die, they just become dormant. Some come back to life, some don’t. Either way, it makes us richer as a person.

5. 

   John Ong on November 12, 2008 at 10:55 pm

   Oliver, it’s very nice to have you back!

   Norman, thanks for your advice. I think I can only find peace when I’m genuinely letting go and accept the fact that friendships, like all things, change.
   This last round of talking about my friendship with Steve really help me walk on the right path. Steve’s letter helped me do the same, to which I’m very thankful that he did so.

6. 

   Jarno on November 13, 2008 at 12:48 pm

   This is off-topic but check this out: http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Transgender+Lutheran+vicar+wants+to+continue+his+pastoral+work/1135241026162

   Pretty interesting in terms of religion vs. gender/sexuality issues.

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