Does it offend people when others (including myself) use the term “gay marriage” instead of just “marriage” or “equal marriage?”
Because at the end, shouldn't all marriages be equal marriages.
I mean, unless you are the crazy man that married a pillow in China or something..
What term do you use/like and why?
Ordinary or not, I'm just me.
January 24, 2013
January 22, 2013
Love = Equality
Taking a stand against the inequality of same-sex marriages is an issue I have a very strong opinion on as I personally have family and friends currently fighting for their civil right to be married! The definition of marriage in regards to the government is different than how the church defines it; however marriage is about a legal status expressing a relationship between two people (Moody, 2004). In regards to marriage being about a legal status, that means there should be separation of church and state with this particular debate. Unfortunately, that is not the case when people bring religious aspects into the government regarding sexuality and personal choice. The future generation of the United States needs equality because supporting same-sex marriage gives parents an opportunity to teach their children about love and accepting people no matter their differences. (Murphy, 2011)
My stand for equality derives from the Golden Rule: one should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself. A person living by this rule treats all people with consideration, the key word being “all.” From a Christian aspect the Holy Bible states we should love one another. And yet, good Christian people have a really difficult time loving people that are different from themselves. The Holy Bible does not state love everyone but the queers, but to love and accept all. According to Judaism scripture, people should “examine the contents, not the bottle.” When people are put into one category such as queer it disables an individual’s relationship. Personally knowing people that are in queer relationships and seeing a love so pure is real. Heterosexual couples are not the only ones that love. Through history people have preached love as a basis for all happiness, and never with mandates with a list of unlovable actions (Pearce, 2011). What does love have to do with same-sex equality? Everything, because love is about accepting people.
When people accept other people’s differences the world becomes a little better place to live. The next generation should be better than us. For no one wants to raise children in a society that does not support differences, especially when that society is the United States, a country that was birthed from diverse cultures and people. Supporting equality now is fundamental in bettering the future generations. Law professor Margaret Somerville has advocated her belief that same-sex marriage is harmful to children, with little documentation that supports her belief other than hearsay (Murphy, 2011). Same-sex marriage is not a threat to children, putting mandates on who others can and cannot love is harming to children. When parents tell children they will always love them, but if they turn gay all bets are off is hindering to a child psyche. Children are taught from a young age that they should be nice to people and to play fair, and yet parents forget to lead by example when they make a comment towards a queer couple that might be holding hands or kiss in front of a child. As adults, we should be taking that opportunity to teach children acceptance by explaining to children that love is love. It is a really easy concept for children to grasp, it is historically proven.
Love is not about applying mandates to people. History has proven that before with interracial marriage. After showing a picture of a loving interracial couple to an elementary student and explaining that a couple such as this picture probably could not marry 50 years ago, the student was dumbfounded with confusion. A question the student asked was why it took so long for the government to allow them to get married. The vote for same-sex marriage has gone on for long enough; I do not want the future generation to look down on this generation because it took so long for a couple that loves one another to get married.
Supporting same-sex marriage is fundamental for the future generation, and by doing so provides an opportunity to reinforce to children that love is love. Equality is about the Golden Rule, because at the end of the day we all want to be surrounded by people that accept us for whom we are as people and not despise us for whom we love. Children do not mandate love by color or sex, and if a pure soul such as a child does not mandate love, the question is; why do grown adults?
References Moody, H. (2004). Sacred Rite or Civil Right? (Cover story). Nation, 279(1), 28-31.
Murphy, T. F. (2011). Same-Sex Marriage: Not a Threat to Marriage or Children. Journal Of Social Philosophy, 42(3), 288-304. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9833.2011.01534.x
Pearce, D. (2011, November 14). I’m Christian, unless you’re gay [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.danoah.com/2011/11/im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html/2/
My stand for equality derives from the Golden Rule: one should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself. A person living by this rule treats all people with consideration, the key word being “all.” From a Christian aspect the Holy Bible states we should love one another. And yet, good Christian people have a really difficult time loving people that are different from themselves. The Holy Bible does not state love everyone but the queers, but to love and accept all. According to Judaism scripture, people should “examine the contents, not the bottle.” When people are put into one category such as queer it disables an individual’s relationship. Personally knowing people that are in queer relationships and seeing a love so pure is real. Heterosexual couples are not the only ones that love. Through history people have preached love as a basis for all happiness, and never with mandates with a list of unlovable actions (Pearce, 2011). What does love have to do with same-sex equality? Everything, because love is about accepting people.
When people accept other people’s differences the world becomes a little better place to live. The next generation should be better than us. For no one wants to raise children in a society that does not support differences, especially when that society is the United States, a country that was birthed from diverse cultures and people. Supporting equality now is fundamental in bettering the future generations. Law professor Margaret Somerville has advocated her belief that same-sex marriage is harmful to children, with little documentation that supports her belief other than hearsay (Murphy, 2011). Same-sex marriage is not a threat to children, putting mandates on who others can and cannot love is harming to children. When parents tell children they will always love them, but if they turn gay all bets are off is hindering to a child psyche. Children are taught from a young age that they should be nice to people and to play fair, and yet parents forget to lead by example when they make a comment towards a queer couple that might be holding hands or kiss in front of a child. As adults, we should be taking that opportunity to teach children acceptance by explaining to children that love is love. It is a really easy concept for children to grasp, it is historically proven.
Love is not about applying mandates to people. History has proven that before with interracial marriage. After showing a picture of a loving interracial couple to an elementary student and explaining that a couple such as this picture probably could not marry 50 years ago, the student was dumbfounded with confusion. A question the student asked was why it took so long for the government to allow them to get married. The vote for same-sex marriage has gone on for long enough; I do not want the future generation to look down on this generation because it took so long for a couple that loves one another to get married.
Supporting same-sex marriage is fundamental for the future generation, and by doing so provides an opportunity to reinforce to children that love is love. Equality is about the Golden Rule, because at the end of the day we all want to be surrounded by people that accept us for whom we are as people and not despise us for whom we love. Children do not mandate love by color or sex, and if a pure soul such as a child does not mandate love, the question is; why do grown adults?
References Moody, H. (2004). Sacred Rite or Civil Right? (Cover story). Nation, 279(1), 28-31.
Murphy, T. F. (2011). Same-Sex Marriage: Not a Threat to Marriage or Children. Journal Of Social Philosophy, 42(3), 288-304. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9833.2011.01534.x
Pearce, D. (2011, November 14). I’m Christian, unless you’re gay [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.danoah.com/2011/11/im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html/2/
January 15, 2013
Deaf Muslim
How does sign language and facial expressions work when a Deaf woman is hearing a Niqab?
I've never met a Deaf Muslim to ask.
I've never met a Deaf Muslim to ask.
January 12, 2013
Learning Disability
Do you have a parent/guardian with a Learning Disability?
Have you realized there is little to no information about PARENTS WITH SLD, but numerous amount of information can be found for PARENTS OF A CHILD WITH SLD.
From one child of a parent with SLD to another, my questions to you are:
1. How old are you?
2. What parent/guardian has a Learning Disability?
3. Do you have a Learning Disability as well?
4. Is the parent/guardian with the Learning Disability the only “adult” in the house?
5. Do you find communicating with said parent difficult at times?
6. What do you think are your biggest issues/concerns regarding said parent- disability wise.
Have you realized there is little to no information about PARENTS WITH SLD, but numerous amount of information can be found for PARENTS OF A CHILD WITH SLD.
From one child of a parent with SLD to another, my questions to you are:
1. How old are you?
2. What parent/guardian has a Learning Disability?
3. Do you have a Learning Disability as well?
4. Is the parent/guardian with the Learning Disability the only “adult” in the house?
5. Do you find communicating with said parent difficult at times?
6. What do you think are your biggest issues/concerns regarding said parent- disability wise.
January 10, 2013
Life of a Child with a Parent with SLD
SLD- Specific Learning Disability
Did you know when you search “SLD Parents,” the only sites listed are for PARENTS that have SLD children. I am a child of an SLD mother. Only those that live with an SLD guardian can understand what that life entitles. The only way I can explain it is that it means having a parent that can act really cool. They are the ones that let you get away with everything. The ones you go to talk about the drama of your life. All your friends want them to be their parents because everyone knows them and likes hanging out at your house. But when your in an argument, their actions are extremely immature.
The thing is, its not their fault, and that is the hardest thing for the child of the SLD parent to understand. Their decisions are irrational. The words they use tend to hurt others, because they say before their mind can process what they are thinking. This leaves the child alone, because they often walk way during the argument and hurting because of what said guardian said.
The worst thing, is knowing they don’t necessarily mean what they said, but at the same time it still hurt. Knowing nothing is going to change and this is how it will always be.
Argument- hurtful words- leaving- alone- repeat.
When looking up Social Skills on a SLD adult certain things stick out. Mood swings, overreaction and focusing on details too much. Then there is the weak memory, and the misreading of information. At least those are the issues that my mother has. As any literature on SLD will tell you, no persons disability is alike Which makes that much harder to find someone that can understand the life of a child of a SLD parent.
Did you know when you search “SLD Parents,” the only sites listed are for PARENTS that have SLD children. I am a child of an SLD mother. Only those that live with an SLD guardian can understand what that life entitles. The only way I can explain it is that it means having a parent that can act really cool. They are the ones that let you get away with everything. The ones you go to talk about the drama of your life. All your friends want them to be their parents because everyone knows them and likes hanging out at your house. But when your in an argument, their actions are extremely immature.
The thing is, its not their fault, and that is the hardest thing for the child of the SLD parent to understand. Their decisions are irrational. The words they use tend to hurt others, because they say before their mind can process what they are thinking. This leaves the child alone, because they often walk way during the argument and hurting because of what said guardian said.
The worst thing, is knowing they don’t necessarily mean what they said, but at the same time it still hurt. Knowing nothing is going to change and this is how it will always be.
Argument- hurtful words- leaving- alone- repeat.
When looking up Social Skills on a SLD adult certain things stick out. Mood swings, overreaction and focusing on details too much. Then there is the weak memory, and the misreading of information. At least those are the issues that my mother has. As any literature on SLD will tell you, no persons disability is alike Which makes that much harder to find someone that can understand the life of a child of a SLD parent.
January 09, 2013
Charter For Compassion
Understanding the importance of letting go of one’s ego to show compassion to everyone, no matter the religion or nationality is what Charter For Compassion wishes to teach the world. It’s not about pointing fingers on what religion is right and what one is wrong. The principle of Charter For Compassion is to include all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, to support and apply the “Golden Rule.” I honestly believe, treating others as we wish to be treated ourselves, no matter the religion (or non-religion) others may practice, could change the outcome of so many of the world’s tribulations.
The website for Charter For Compassion includes a video that explains what a charter is and how the idea of the “Golden Rule,” is the core for all religious believes. For example Islam’s perspective on the “Golden Rule,” is “Love for your brother what you love for yourself.” It doesn’t matter what religion someone may be, the core believe of the “Golden Rule,” seems to always be implied.
“Treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect,” is beautifully worded and if the people of the world would apply it to world we could have a utopia of people helping people.
“We therefore call upon all men and women, to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion.” I would love one day see a world filled with compassion with less hatred and war, however we cannot the change the world ourselves. It takes the rest of the world to stand up and realize the importance of compassion and actually demonstrate compassion to others to really make a difference.
Imagine if everyone that signed the Charter For Compassion, all 71,419 showed compassion to just one individual a day, how that could change the world.
Imagine if everyone that signed the Charter For Compassion, all 71,419 showed compassion to just one individual a day, how that could change the world.
Signing the charter does not have to be the first and last step you take in your journey to “change the world,” declaring and demonstrating compassion, should be ones life’s work. As a people, we cannot say we want something and expect to get it. If we want compassion in our schools, government and playgrounds, we need to first give it.
I declare that showing compassion is important and much needed in today’s society. I personally take responsibility for myself to show the world more compassion, no matter religion, ethnic or sexual background one may have.
I declare that showing compassion is important and much needed in today’s society. I personally take responsibility for myself to show the world more compassion, no matter religion, ethnic or sexual background one may have.
January 08, 2013
Hawai`i, Akua and the `Ulu Tree
Hawai`i continues to thrive with its rich traditions, stunning landscapes and delicious food. The Hawai`i traditions derive from the indigenous religion that originated from other Pacific islanders who landed in Hawai`i between 500 and 1300 CE. As time progressed so did the Hawaiian religion that consisted of as many as 40,000 gods, Hawaiians were diligent and disciplined in praying to all Akua to give thanks and other purposes. Even today, as one visits Hawai`i the evidence that the religion is still in practice and held sacred is evident.
The individual Gods/Goddesses were sought out by the people at different times in their lives for different reasons. The word “Akua” is the general name for the Hawaiian Gods/Goddesses, and are often used in prayers and chants to envelop many Gods/Goddesses at once. No matter what Akua the people of Hawai`i were worshiping they were always in tune with nature, plants, trees, animals and each other. They respected all things and took care of all things. A tree that is found throughout Hawai`i is the `ulu, breadfruit, tree, which is appreciated for its fruit and wood. It reaches 85 ft. tall, and often has a trunk 2 to 6 ft in diameter. The wood is yellow-gray with dark speckles of orange, light weight; not very hard, but strong, elastic and termite resistant. It is often used for making furniture as well as surfboard. Throughout the Hawai`i religion the `ulu tree is held sacred and used in many of their story telling.
The `ulu legend can be traced to its origin to a time of famine when Ku, the god of building and war, buried himself in the earth near his home. He later turned into an `ulu tree so that his wife and children would not starve. Ku had told his wife that a fruit shaped like a man’s head would spring from his body. “My body will be the trunk and the braches; my hands will be the leaves; the heart, core, inside the fruit will be my tongue. Roast the fruit, soak it, beat of the skin, eat some yourself, and feed the children.” This legend explains how the `ulu tree became to be on the Islands, while the story of Haumea explains how the fish became so plentiful.
The Hawai`i Goddess Haumea was the daughter to Papa, fertility goddess, and mother to Pele, female goddess for volcanoes, and Hi`aika, goddess of dance; specifically the hula. Besides teaching women how to give birth properly Haumea was considered a very wise woman, and very brave. The story goes on how she “rescued her husband from kidnappers and to escape, leaped, with her husband, into an `ulu tree. When the kidnappers tried to capture them by cutting into the tree with their machetes the splinters of wood and poisonous sap from the tree killed the axmen.” Another set of stories involve Haumea’s magic stick/tree made from an `ulu tree. The wand could create fruit on the tree, or fish. One day she was startled by one of her daughters and as she turns around to rebuke her daughter, Haumea twisted her wrist so that the fish she was invoking were scattered into the surrounding waters, giving them a tree of never-failing food supply. This is the creative story that explains why Hawai`i has so many fish in its waters. These two religious stories explain how Hawai`i not only came to be, but how it thrived with the `ulu tree.
The Hawaiian’s indigenous religion focused on not only how nature can help the people, but how people must also help nature thrive. The `ulu tree not only produced oxygen, fruit, and wood for the people of Hawai`i but it gave them a set of spiritual principles, and that is nature about the aloha. To the Hawaiian’s aloha represents love. All of live was founded on this love, the love of the sea, the love of the sky and the love of the land. The `ulu tree is of great significance to the Hawaiian religion based on their stories it had the importance of protection and nutrition. The `ulu is close to Hawaiian’s hearts. `Ulu’s mythical origins, its fame in history, and its immense usefulness to islanders have made the tree an immortal symbol of Hawai`i Nei (Beloved Hawai`i).
The individual Gods/Goddesses were sought out by the people at different times in their lives for different reasons. The word “Akua” is the general name for the Hawaiian Gods/Goddesses, and are often used in prayers and chants to envelop many Gods/Goddesses at once. No matter what Akua the people of Hawai`i were worshiping they were always in tune with nature, plants, trees, animals and each other. They respected all things and took care of all things. A tree that is found throughout Hawai`i is the `ulu, breadfruit, tree, which is appreciated for its fruit and wood. It reaches 85 ft. tall, and often has a trunk 2 to 6 ft in diameter. The wood is yellow-gray with dark speckles of orange, light weight; not very hard, but strong, elastic and termite resistant. It is often used for making furniture as well as surfboard. Throughout the Hawai`i religion the `ulu tree is held sacred and used in many of their story telling.
The `ulu legend can be traced to its origin to a time of famine when Ku, the god of building and war, buried himself in the earth near his home. He later turned into an `ulu tree so that his wife and children would not starve. Ku had told his wife that a fruit shaped like a man’s head would spring from his body. “My body will be the trunk and the braches; my hands will be the leaves; the heart, core, inside the fruit will be my tongue. Roast the fruit, soak it, beat of the skin, eat some yourself, and feed the children.” This legend explains how the `ulu tree became to be on the Islands, while the story of Haumea explains how the fish became so plentiful.
The Hawai`i Goddess Haumea was the daughter to Papa, fertility goddess, and mother to Pele, female goddess for volcanoes, and Hi`aika, goddess of dance; specifically the hula. Besides teaching women how to give birth properly Haumea was considered a very wise woman, and very brave. The story goes on how she “rescued her husband from kidnappers and to escape, leaped, with her husband, into an `ulu tree. When the kidnappers tried to capture them by cutting into the tree with their machetes the splinters of wood and poisonous sap from the tree killed the axmen.” Another set of stories involve Haumea’s magic stick/tree made from an `ulu tree. The wand could create fruit on the tree, or fish. One day she was startled by one of her daughters and as she turns around to rebuke her daughter, Haumea twisted her wrist so that the fish she was invoking were scattered into the surrounding waters, giving them a tree of never-failing food supply. This is the creative story that explains why Hawai`i has so many fish in its waters. These two religious stories explain how Hawai`i not only came to be, but how it thrived with the `ulu tree.
The Hawaiian’s indigenous religion focused on not only how nature can help the people, but how people must also help nature thrive. The `ulu tree not only produced oxygen, fruit, and wood for the people of Hawai`i but it gave them a set of spiritual principles, and that is nature about the aloha. To the Hawaiian’s aloha represents love. All of live was founded on this love, the love of the sea, the love of the sky and the love of the land. The `ulu tree is of great significance to the Hawaiian religion based on their stories it had the importance of protection and nutrition. The `ulu is close to Hawaiian’s hearts. `Ulu’s mythical origins, its fame in history, and its immense usefulness to islanders have made the tree an immortal symbol of Hawai`i Nei (Beloved Hawai`i).
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