Massive study finds most Americans devout, tolerant

[insleeforprez]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/06/pew_study_finds.html

" The United States is a nation of believers: Most Americans say they believe in God, they pray, and they attend worship services regularly; they also believe in angels and demons, in heaven and hell, and in miracles.

But they also say, contradicting the teachings of many faiths, that truth comes in many forms. Large majorities of Americans say that many religions - - not just their own -- can lead to eternal life, and that there is more than one way to interpret religious teachings."

Am I correct to interpret this as strong evidence that anti-gay feelings are NOT a result of religious convictions, but rather of pure and simple bigotry? People are willing to overlook key beliefs of their faith when it comes to other religions, but not with sexual minorities.

[LostinVA]

1. My wife's stepgrandfather is a huge Catholic -- head of the K of C, actually

He votes 100% Republican, thinks Hillary is Satan, racist beyond belief, but he "likes the gays." He came to our wedding, and actually attended another lesbian wedding later that month.

So, I do think that homophobia is just pure bigotry. If he can "like the gays," anybody can.

In fact, most of the guests at our wedding are strict Irish/Italian Catholics, and none of them are homophobic.

[mitchtv]

6. heh ,sounds like my wing nut family

My wing nut ex marine brotherand wife luv the gays. wing nut nephew called to congratulate his two Uncles before the wedding.I was , franky , stunned. Partner's MexAm family is pretty cool too.

[LostinVA]

7. It's all quite strange

Needless to say, I was tres shocked hearing Haruka's mafia-type uncle talk about how much he hates Bush.

[msongs]

2. sorry dont think your conclusion is correct - most USA bigots are bible believers nt

[Irishonly]

3. They are bigots

hiding behind the bible.

[galledgoblin]

9. exactly (n/t)

[insleeforprez]

4. Logical proof:

A population "N" of Christians believes that a non-Christian (or at least, a member of a sect other than their own) is capable of entrance into heaven, which is something that blatantly violates the literal teachings of the religion. Now, we also know that a different population "M" of Christians believes that a member of a sexual minority is capable of entrance into heaven.

What this article seems to suggest is that N>M. This means that there is a certain population of at least N-M believes that it is okay to be a member of a different faith but NOT okay to be gay. Seemingly, being of a different faith (i.e. not "accepting Jesus Christ as ones personal savior") would be at LEAST as "bad" as being gay, in the eyes of a literalist. Thus, we have proven that there is something more at play.

[LostinVA]

5. I think they just use it as an excuse

[GOPNotForMe]

8. I just think religion is inherently full of contradictions.

And people cherry pick the Bible like crazy so that it makes sense for them. They also follow what they hear from authority figures, like pastors. I think this leads to all sorts of crazy contradictions. That's why I stay away from it!