Melissa & Tammy Etheridge -- Twins!

46. Just so you know, most Christians don't hate gays. You will always get the extremists no matter what religion. Obviously, this issue is a difficult one. Romans 1:26 says, "God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." The Bible clearly portrays homosexuality as a sin. Many Christians believe in loving the sinner, hating the sin. We are all sinners though. I would hope that people wouldn't hate me because I sin daily. I try not to, but we all mess up. I'm not a hater of homosexuals because I believe the lifestyle is morally wrong. I, as well as many of my Christian friends, have a hard time with this issue because most of us know and love people (even family members) who are gay. Many gays claim that they have struggled with their sexuality since childhood and have characteristics that cause me to believe there are sometimes genetic factors involved as opposed to just nurturing issues. (That factor causes me to believe that the issue is not black and white in God's eyes) On the other hand, there are definitely people who live the homosexual lifestyle by choice. Ellen Degeneres (who I adore) was asked in an interview if she was born a lesbian. She said no and that she chooses to live that lifestyle. I have a much more difficult time with bi-sexuality. There are many teens I have heard about that have experimented with both sexes just because it has become so mainstream. It was unheard of when I was growing up. If you choose to hate me because of my beliefs, that makes you no better than those who hate homosexuals.

Posted at 12:15PM on Oct 23rd 2006 by catelynnw3

47. Oh "DONNA" stop being so self-righteous! There are gays that also don't raise children with the love and nurturing that is takes to be a good parent! AND...being a child of gay parents WILL NOT make their lives any easier....ITS NOT NORMAL! You liberals that are just soooooo understandind of no morals or ethics are what is driving our society into the gutter!

Posted at 12:00PM on Oct 23rd 2006 by BABEE

48. I felt I couldn't let go of the comment regarding channeling your hate toward the deserving Bush administration. Believe it or not, there are a lot of people serving in this war who choose to be there. Under Saddam's regime, there were daily human atrocities occuring at the hands of an unrelenting ruler. How do you turn your back on human suffering? President Bush is now being criticized for not doing more to stop North Korea's endeavors because he is exhausting all diplomatic efforts first. Don't you remember how many times since Operation Desert Storm Saddam was warned to comply with U.N. sanctions? He thumbed his nose at us and at the U.N. We gave him chance after chance. Do you wait until he actually attacks the U.S. before doing something or do you try to avoid another attack like 9/11. In hindsight, how many people said, why didn't anyone forsee the 9/11 attack? Our intelligence also had knowledge of Saddam's vicious rape and torture of countless women and children. At this point, we can't just pull our troops out and leave the Iraqis in a state of civil unrest. If we walk away, the enemy will follow. The terrorists will claim victory if we leave the job undone. Some of our local soldiers have been sent home due to injury and were not required to return to war. They have chosen to go back and fight after they've gotten better. After being there, they believe in the cause that much. I am truly sorry for all the lives lost, but more hatred isn't going to solve anything. I am thankful to all the men and women and their families who are serving or have served our country and humankind.

Posted at 12:57PM on Oct 23rd 2006 by catelynnw3

49. There is no reliable evidence to date that homosexual behavior is determined by a person's genes. Gender, race and impairment all relate to what a person is, whereas homosexuality relates to what a person does. Domestic Partnership is wrong....they should not have the same rights and privilages as a normal couple. Some people have a strong bent toward stealing or alchol abuse but they can still choose NOT to engage in this behavior!

Posted at 12:36PM on Oct 23rd 2006 by sue

50. BABEE are you sure you're kids aren't already embarrassed to have a bigot as a mother? I would be mortified, my mother was loving and kind. No matter what you're life style.

Posted at 12:27PM on Oct 23rd 2006 by mynameisnobody

51. What could be bad about a loving family? I wish America's weren't such homophobes. If you knew someone that was gay, and I'm guessing you do whether you know it or not, you might change your minds. Quit judging others, leave that to the big guy, OK?

Posted at 12:43PM on Oct 23rd 2006 by waitjustoneminute

52. the "hate" word is sure used a lot here. catelynnw3, you make good points and as you said, these are your beliefs. does not mean anyone "hates" you. just like people that have different views from you do not want to be hated. however, please know that many of the folks who you are speaking about above are gay. they are losing their lives, etc. everyday. they are just asked to "don't ask, don't tell"... wow, that's fair. but, they bleed, suffer & pay taxes like everyone else.
babee; great name you are using. are you afraid to use your real name? if that is your real name, then you were probably teased all your life. how did that work for you? were you teased? sometimes parents (gay or straight) raise there children with such high self-esteem they can over come anything. please know that most children that are in residential home's for troubled teens is due to heterosexual broken homes. also know that most divorced/broken up couples, rapist's, murderer's, molestor's, etc. etc. were all raised in heterosexual households. As for your 3 children being embarrassed if they were raised by a same sex "stable, loving, educated, strong, well rounded, loving couple", wow..... they should be embarressed (as you spelled it!) for being raised by you.
do not make assumptions for your children or anyone else!

Posted at 11:44PM on Oct 23rd 2006 by beth

53. As a (straight) fan of Melissa Etheridge, I'm happy for their family and wish them the very best.
I do have to wonder how much time you people have on your hands if all you can do is bitch about what Melissa and Tammy have choosen to name their babies. I've seen thoughtful statements made on this thread, but bitching about names is assinine. Btw, in addition to some of the examples given on this thread, I guess some of you are unaware or don't remember that there was a actress on The Waltons in the 70's named Michael Learned. I also know a woman named Robbie, which isn't short for anything. Females with male names....oh, the horror of it all!
Now onto addressing more serious examples of stupidity:
Sue: The next time you make a statement have the facts straight. Dr. Kinsey, in the 1950's, proved that homosexuality is organically based ie: genetic, and every major study done since then has supported Kinsey's findings, even those studies done in an attempt to debunk Kinsey. Homosexuals have no more control over who they are attracted to than a straight person. Btw, you wouldn't happen to be a Fundamentalist Christian Redneck, would you? Because this claim usually comes from Fundamentalist Christian Rednecks.
Finally, all of you who are so worried about what the effects of growing up in a homosexual household are on children, can rest easy. A study published in JAMA in 2001 and updated and republished in 2004 found children living in homosexual households were as well-adjusted as children being raised in hetro. families. Their biggest stumbling blocks: bigtory and hatred shown their families by straight people, as well as, parental death and divorce, which affects all children. If you are really concerned about these children, stop being part of the problem and do something more useful with yourself...like...I don't know...read the results of a study on homosexuality.

Posted at 5:56PM on Oct 24th 2006 by Asha

54. to # 40 The straight couples who have a problem having a child is because of a defect of some kind. But it is still possible unlike a gay couple.

And # 53 the JAMA report also said the children of homosexuals were way more likely to experiment with bisexuality.

Alice

Posted at 6:57PM on Oct 24th 2006 by connie

55. And # 53 the JAMA report also said the children of homosexuals were way more likely to experiment with bisexuality.

Connie, people don't "experiment" with bi-sexuality nor did this study state such so I'm wondering if you actually read the report or if you are simply using the reference to support your personal biases. A person who explores bi-sexuality does so for a reason....because they are experiencing the same feelings and are equally attracted to both genders.
I might add that self-knowledge...knowing who and what you are and who and what you aren't is only a benefit in the long run. If a teenager or young adult feels they could be bi-sexual, gay, or lesbian the only way to find out for certain is to explore those feelings and what comes along with them. Hopefully, they will do this in a safe manner, but exploring, acknowledging the results, and dealing with them far, far better than walking through life without this important self-knowledge.

Posted at 8:26PM on Oct 26th 2006 by Asha

56. Asha said, "Connie, people don't "experiment" with bi-sexuality"

Oh yes they do. There are many teen girls who seem to think that it is something to do because guys think it's "hot", not because they are inclined to choose other girls over boys. Just watch some of the raunchy shows on T.V., particularly M.T.V. and you'll see that it is often encouraged. The more our society portrays that the idea is normal, the more experimentation there will be. I am not saying that for some people it is not "normal", but for most it is not. I do not think that a free-for-all society would benefit anyone. Most people are born heterosexual, and in my opinion, there may be others who are not; but to put out the idea that either direction is okay for anyone, to me, is wrong.

Posted at 12:09PM on Oct 27th 2006 by catelynnw3

57. I think it is pretty sad when the only thing many of you have to do is rip on the name of someone's kids. If you knew the reason's behind the names, you might actually be touched by it. John was Melissa's father's name who died years ago. Johnnie Rose was named after him. You all need to take a look into your souls and really think about whether it is your place to judge who should be parents or not. Many straight people who get pregnant never even wanted the kids. In this case, these babies were SO wanted and deliberately created!!! I don't know. I'm so disappointed in the lack of openmindedness or society. People are people...love is the same....God made us all...

Posted at 6:11PM on Oct 29th 2006 by Annoyed in NJ

58. Any idea why they named their son Miller? Just curious if it is after someone as well.

Posted at 10:30PM on Oct 29th 2006 by catelynnw3

59. All 4 names given to the children are explained on Tammy's Blog.

"the music teacher in 8th grade
who saw me crying
and pulled me aside
to let me know
I was not invisible
and neither was my pain
she was my first
confidante
she was the one
who took the knives out of my hands
she was the one
who taught me how to fly
her last name

Miller"

Posted at 6:20AM on Oct 30th 2006 by Annoyed in NJ

60. YUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 11:30PM on Nov 4th 2006 by James