"That's so gay!"

Recently came across this good message online:



Video link here.

I suppose that I should say by way of disclaimer that I still fully subscribe to the old-fashioned belief that sex is too great a gift for anything but the context of marriage, and that I still acknowledge the many people, including folk I know, whose own experience has empirically refuted the idea that a homosexual orientation, at least for them, is as immutable as race. (tangential aside: the "T" part indicates that key GLBT activist leaders themselves do not regard even genetic predetermination as sufficient cause for treating one's sexuality as immutable)

But that being said, I see no reason why all of us, regardless of our positions on other specific matters regarded to the emotionally charged issue of homosexuality, cannot work to make our national discourse more civil. I certainly understand that no "side" has any sort of monopoly on mean-spirited and hateful treatment of the Other.

But it is important for those of us opposed to the sorts of far-reaching changes proposed within church and society related to homosexuality to recognize that same-sex attraction is rarely, if ever a chosen "orientation" (though it's also important to morally distinguish this from voluntary actions) , and to recognize that there are many people, preciously loved by God and created within His own image, within the gay and lesbian communities who have suffered much unnecessary hurt from callous and uncaring treatment from others within and without the church, still carrying deep-seated pain around with them, and that nothing is helped by common slurs that dehumanize and insult people. It is not enough to simply refrain from using such language ourselves; we should also have the courage to (diplomatically) speak up when others do so. The fact that it is not always easy to balance our positions on sexual morality and the definition of marriage with opposing anti-gay slurs and homophobia (a term I prefer defining much more narrowly than most everybody who talks about it) is in itself not sufficient excuse for inaction.

Yet another blog post ends with me having rambled on longer than planned. The short version would be: "Just say 'That's so lame!' instead"

UPDATE: An anonymous commenter made a good point about how my last line essentially did the same thing to physically disabled people as the original expression in question does to gay people. I do not see myself as ordinarily a fan of ultra-"political correctness" but I am a fan of respect, and there are clear logical parallels here. So I stand corrected. Perhaps I should just have to stick with "That's so stupid!" or better, yet, "That's so Emma-and-Julia!" or, per an earlier post, "That's so Punxsutawney Phil!"

Signs of the Times: Zombies

Some innovative hackers recently went to some great lengths to warn fellow Texans about a "grave" danger:




For the record, I decry any and all forms of vandalism. However, it's also hard not to appreciate a creative sense of humor.

Hat tip: John (the once and future Methodist).

Coming Soon to a Xmas Stocking Near You

This fake commercial so reminds me of some of the gifts my relatives actually give each other.



[Video Link]

Of course, what counts is the thought--and Jesus!

Wishing Ye a Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Avast, ye scurvy scallywags! This today be the International Talk Like a Pirate Day. This varrrry 'portant hol'daybe a-spreading the seven seas so that even ye landlubbers arrrrrrrr now obliged to be marrrrrrking today by such means as only a-googling with Google Pirate and answering the phone properly, if ye don't want an earrrrrrly date wit Davy Jones' locker!