I saw his speech at Columbia while it was broadcast. I heard the comment about having no homosexuals in Iran. I understand that some things cannot be translated well but according to the follow up listed on the website PinkNews, this part of the transcript was deleted for domestic Iranian consumption (which I don't doubt. I know there is a 'grassroots democracy' in Iran and the press is always struggling with the regime. I personally had a classmate at university that was from Iran (she left after 1979 with family still there) who is a lesbian. I have not spoken with her in about 10 years but it would be interesting to hear her take on the matter.
I bring it up as we are all humans and have many of the same struggles wherever we go or are from. I am not personally for homos3xual marriages but I understand that there are homos3xual people that wish to have the same rights as heterosexual people (which is why I commented early on in this thread about the differences in words). I understand that they have to be vocal in order to obtain these freedoms (although I personally believe no one should be overzealous in public with any type of sexuality). I also understand that in many instances their being vocal can be deadly, without exception to country (although in some countries it is the government they have to fear not just the 'homophobe on the street').
I have lived in San Francisco and I can tell you that the 'gay community' typically is more well educated and financially well off (and does more good for the community) than your average American (although some of this wealth could be argued it comes from have a two income household that does not typically raise a family). I also understand the socio-religious aspect (it takes a man and a women to make a baby and children should have the balance of both a male and female influence in their day-to-day lives, and I think religion reinforces this natural order). I believe the last statement to be correct and also understand that 'parental love' by two people of the same sex is better than no love at all. I am not an advocate of 'gay rights' but understand they should have them in the civic realm to care for one another.
In short, you or anyone else can think what I see and believe is B.S. but I try to live in the world around me how it really is and use religion as a 'guideline' to help me better myself (we will never be perfect but in striving to be we must not overdue it). I think the 'Golden Rule' applies universally, 'treat others as you would like to be treated'.
In his Last Sermon, the Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] admonished believers:
I saw his speech at Columbia while it was broadcast. I heard the comment about having no homosexuals in Iran. I understand that some things cannot be translated well but according to the follow up listed on the website PinkNews, this part of the transcript was deleted for domestic Iranian consumption (which I don't doubt. I know there is a 'grassroots democracy' in Iran and the press is always struggling with the regime. I personally had a classmate at university that was from Iran (she left after 1979 with family still there) who is a lesbian. I have not spoken with her in about 10 years but it would be interesting to hear her take on the matter.
I bring it up as we are all humans and have many of the same struggles wherever we go or are from. I am not personally for homos3xual marriages but I understand that there are homos3xual people that wish to have the same rights as heterosexual people (which is why I commented early on in this thread about the differences in words). I understand that they have to be vocal in order to obtain these freedoms (although I personally believe no one should be overzealous in public with any type of sexuality). I also understand that in many instances their being vocal can be deadly, without exception to country (although in some countries it is the government they have to fear not just the 'homophobe on the street').
I have lived in San Francisco and I can tell you that the 'gay community' typically is more well educated and financially well off (and does more good for the community) than your average American (although some of this wealth could be argued it comes from have a two income household that does not typically raise a family). I also understand the socio-religious aspect (it takes a man and a women to make a baby and children should have the balance of both a male and female influence in their day-to-day lives, and I think religion reinforces this natural order). I believe the last statement to be correct and also understand that 'parental love' by two people of the same sex is better than no love at all. I am not an advocate of 'gay rights' but understand they should have them in the civic realm to care for one another.
In short, you or anyone else can think what I see and believe is B.S. but I try to live in the world around me how it really is and use religion as a 'guideline' to help me better myself (we will never be perfect but in striving to be we must not overdue it). I think the 'Golden Rule' applies universally, 'treat others as you would like to be treated'.
In his Last Sermon, the Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] admonished believers:
"Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you."