We believe there is such a thing as truth. This is why it is not "hateful" to debate, but is necessary! Without discussion, we will not have inquiring minds, but instead minds that are closed and narrow.
Once you've found something that's true, it's not necessary to continue to doubt and doubt until you drive yourself crazy. But testing and refinement, if it really is truth, should do nothing more than strengthen one's belief.
On issues today like homosexuality, Christianity, and abortion, many young people find themselves up against a wall of stubborn refusal to listen on the part of otherwise rational people.
Why?
The reason, we believe, is because of underlying assumptions that are being adopted unconsciously. Assumptions can usually be tested, or at least discussed. But until a person realizes their assumptions, they won't even be willing to test them.
The Homosexual Assumption
Many young people today are buying into the idea that it's "hateful" to even question homosexuality. Why would they believe this? Because, usually without realizing it, they've adopted the underlying assumption that homosexuality is biologically-driven-- i.e., a person is born that way. So, a person who questions it must be evil, if homosexuality is just "the way a person is." But this is dangerous thinking to be so casually adopted. The idea that anal sex is perfectly defensible-- but criticizing it is not?
There's absolutely no research to back up the idea of a genetic origin. Just look closely at all those "gay gene" studies the activists trotted out over the past few years, and you will find that the studies never demonstrated any such thing. There is no place where one can go to be tested for a "gay gene."
But just try telling this to those who are ideologically committed to homosexuality-- and they get furious! They call you hateful, bigoted, ignorant. It's amazing, because there is a rational way they could debate this point. Show the studies (if they exist). If they don't, then stop clinging to this idea.
It is hardly hateful to bring up this issue because it is a cornerstone of the argument. But it is refutable. We happen to know many ex-homosexuals who are no longer in the lifestyle, and who now live as their bodies are constructed-- as heterosexuals. One friend of ours has a great way of responding to his gay detractors. When someone involved in homosexuality says to him, "Well, if you say you've changed-- then you were never gay to begin with!" His response is, "That's right-- I never was gay. And neither are you. When are you going to realize it, too?"
How do we get people to open their minds on this and other issues? One way is to show them how shallow are the original assumptions of so many popular ideas.
We've put together a list of today's Top Ten Assumptions that seem to be a part of almost everyone's thinking. They are actually prejudices in disguise. To see how many you recognize, click HERE.
There are many times when Christ mentions truth in the Bible. Here's one very thought-provoking statement:
Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."
(John 10: 7-9)
Hate Crimes
One way that certain subjects are becoming off-limits to debate is through proposed legislation that attempts directly or indirectly to silence certain types of criticism.
(For a discussion of how the questionable idea of "hate crimes" is being orchestrated to try to limit the views of certain people, click HERE.)
