[quote]Jewbacca wrote:
[quote]wakiki wrote:
On further note, certainly not all branches of Judaism condemn homosexuality.
[/quote]
Well, any that follow the Torah, do. And Hasids certainly try.[/quote]
Incorrect. The Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist movements all follow the Torah. Their differences lie in their interpretation of the texts. Furthermore, no sect of Judaism, to my knowledge, claims that a homosexual is a sinner simply by existing. Some do however consider one who engages in homosexual behavior, a sinner - again, depending on which sect we are discussing.
What I do behind closed doors is between me and G-d. That was never in question here. What was at question was a school firing me for the simple fact that my sexual orientation does not agree with them.
Perhaps you should read “A Statement of Principles” - a document written recently by a large symposium of Orthodox rabbis - including Roshei Yeshiva at Yeshiva University - stating their stance on homosexuality. The link is at http://statementofprinciplesnya.blogspot.com/
Some relevant sections:
“All human beings are created in the image of God and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect (kevod haberiyot). Every Jew is obligated to fulfill the entire range of mitzvot between person and person in relation to persons who are homosexual or have feelings of same sex attraction. Embarrassing, harassing or demeaning someone with a homosexual orientation or same-sex attraction is a violation of Torah prohibitions that embody the deepest values of Judaism.”
“The question of whether sexual orientation is primarily genetic, or rather environmentally generated, is irrelevant to our obligation to treat human beings with same-sex attractions and orientations with dignity and respect.”
and finally,
" But it is critical to emphasize that halakha only prohibits homosexual acts; it does not prohibit orientation or feelings of same-sex attraction, and nothing in the Torah devalues the human beings who struggle with them"
As stated above, I do not disregard the Law simply by being a homosexual.
Once more, my sexual activity or lack thereof (did I state that I engage in homosexual activity?!) is not at stake here. What is at stake is my sexual orientation. Realize that you keep confusing two different things, perhaps purposely.
This is by far the most idiotic thing you have said. Most people do not choose to be gay. There is not one single “lifestyle” that defines homosexuals, just as there is not a single “lifestyle” that defines heterosexuals. Why would a teenager struggling to come to terms with his sexuality want to be gay? Quite the opposite - some end their lives because the message they receive from their community is that they are inferior human beings simply because of their sexual orientation, regardless of whether they lead celibate lives or not.
Simple: Some people are more easily identifiable as gay. Ever meet one? Gaydar? Or more specifically, perhaps a student confided in me.
[quote]
I’m unaware of any Jewish religious teaching that would cause a person with homosexual desires to hate themselves, any more than there is a Jewish teaching that would cause someone with the desire to drink too much alcohol to hate themselves.
But again, your desire to proseletyze religious Jewish youth into abandoning the tenants of their religious is EXACTLY why you should not work at the religous school. An employee owes his employer a fiduciary duty to fulfil the mission of the employer – you are clearly unable to do that.[/quote]
The Orthodox community teaches precisely that. I should know. I’ve attended Jewish Orthodox schools for Grade School, High School, even college in NYC. So I know pretty damn well how these kids grow up being told that gay people are evil, worthless, etc. Perhaps you have been fortunate not to encounter it yourself. I have. Many others I’ve spoken to have, as well.
I am certainly not telling youths to abandon anything. I am not telling them to have gay sex. I AM telling them that they should be proud of and comfortable with whoever they are, and they should be true to themselves, and they are as valuable and godly as any other person (see quoted sections above from Statement of Principle.)
That is precisely my point. If homosexuals were more accepted in the Jewish community (not the act, but the human being) then people would not have to do that. certainly, it is a tragedy. But put yourself in his shoes, as far as what led him to lead a double life in order to please his community. I’m sure that he has suffered great pain. Judgeth not others.
It’s been fun, but I’ve got better things to do now… and I’ve been advised that I do in fact have recourse. And I will crush them.