I still very much see this particular case as involving employment law far more than religion and beliefs. Religion is brought into it because of the counsellor's own religious beliefs conflicting with what he was being asked to do.

As I have said, I would defend the counsellor's right to have a religion and be able to practice it in peace. What I cannot defend is his discrimination to the gay couple on such grounds when his employment asked it of him. He knew what he would be getting into.

I cannot comment about other religions, but what sits really bad about this is that the man was/is a Christian. Being Christian is a way of life. Which actual Christian faith you belong to would then maybe colour what you find acceptable and able to tolerate, but the basic Christian premise has to be one of love and forgiveness, being non-judgmental and caring for one's fellows.

It is my belief that Jesus, who CHRISTianity is ALL about, would not judge this gay couple. Christ never once spoke out against gay people. He preached about love and acceptance of sinners, which we all are (not that I personally see homosexuality as a sin). What I trying to say is that God, if he/she exists, is said to have given us free will. He/she wants a relationship with us by the free will. Only he/she can judge. Our duty to our fellows, therefore, if we are to follow JESUS teachings - not the church or any particular flavour of Christianity that is practised - is to do as Jesus asked us. That can often conflict with what the church asks us to do. Do as Jesus did and you will not go far wrong I guess.

Jesus cherished people having relationships. He died so we could all get on, we are told, and he wanted us all to love one another. Helping people nurture those relationships and flourish must surely be more in keeping with true Christianity than sticking to a man-made edict about homosexulity being repugnant, unnatural, wrong or against Christianity. What happened to let he who is without sin... ?

Live and let live...

Judge yea not as you may be judged...

It's not rocket science. Have your belief system. Abide by it. Have principles. But don't say you have all that and then discriminate against something that actually has nothing to do with you....

"In the realms of sexuality who makes the rules on what should be tolerated?". What the heck has it got to do with anyone what two, or more, consenting adults get up to as long as it is not against children or animals? It may not be my or your thing but that does not make it wrong for those who are doing it. If it does not affect me it is none of my business. Some people go out of their way to make some things affect them so they can moan about it, try and spoil it for others. Some are just plainly jealous because others have something they do not not. Some moan because some are doing things they would love to do but are not brave enough to give it a try. They should get a life of their own that is full and wholesome. It's a great cure toward open mindedness and acceptance of others also having a life.

Sorry for being so passionate but it never ceases to amaze me why being gay is such a problem to those who are (supposedly) not gay. Why does it trouble them so? We still have far more in common with each other than that which we do not. Why can we not concentrate on those things that are important about a person?

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never Is, but always To be blest:
The soul, uneasy and confin'd from home,
Rests and expatiates in a life to come.

-Alexander Pope,
An Essay on Man, Epistle I, 1733


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