You can take someone out of the small town, but you can't take the small town of certain people

This week was a bit of a "supreme" political week, with the Supreme Court nominee and the California Supreme Court ruling on Prop 8, when really the best thing would have been to just run for the border and get a taco supreme.

Well someone who I was facebook friends with made their status a bit bold. It stated "GOD created Adam and Eve not Adam And Steve....." Now by the time I read it there were a few blasting this individual and a couple pro just to be fair. Of course it got my blood flowing at first. After milling a few ideas around and cooling off a bit, I responded with a blanket statement saying this is my fight not yours and it's my obligation to convince you. So why do you believe the way you do? A day went by and no response. Now let me take you back a little and give you a history lesson. This person and I are not close. We are mere high school acquantences and arguably both just did what most do and add people from your high school on here. We fuss at each other and have varying views on a lot of subject. After discussing it with my lovely friend Keri in Japan I realize there is nothing lost in just deleting this person as my friend. We don't care enough about each other to stay in contact and speaking for me it only raises my blood pressure when this person speaks, so I did it. About three hours later I get an email.

Now mind you I felt I kept my cool, but after hearing the words immature I knew I had to stand up and say what was on my mind. Here is the conversation. I deleted the names to be somewhat tactful.

Please though, if you have an opposing view, and would like to have an intellectual conversation about this debate I am willing and able!

Billy,
I wanted to personally email you and tell you that I don't have anything against gay people in general. I am a strong believer in the Lord above and I'm sorry that religious beliefs go as a union being between a man and woman. If it offends some okay. But, I know I'm standing by what I've always stood for and I'll be able to answer for everything I've done. I have many friends that I have worked and traveled with all the time that are gay. Yes, I made some of my best friends and had a great time with them but, at the same time they respected that I didn't believe the same as them. Do I think everyone should have a Love, YES!! But, I can't change my beliefs just because I have friends that believe that way. That would make me a follower, and that I'm not!!! I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. I just wanted to tell you that's how I think. Believe me I know about rights and freedoms because my husband defends the right for everyone of this great nation and I'll never take that forgranted. But, while you have your opinion, which I fully respect I also expect the same from all of you. It's a sad thing that almost all that are for it want us to respect their opinion they can't respect the opinion of those who are against it. I noticed you deleted me and by all means if that's what you want to do fine. Although, I feel as though it's an immature thing to do because of my opinion that wasn't in agreement upon yours.

Sincerely,

Jane Doe

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Jane Doe:

I appreciate your personal response, but my decision to delete you was something I had contemplated for a long time. So our opinions disagree that's not why I came to my conclusion. It was simply a mind over matter conclusion.

My friends might differ on lots of opinions, but the ones I keep around are interested in discussing it as adults. They are interested in what the other thinks and why. They don't offer up vague theories and make them fact in their mind or make assumptive and at times prejudice statements (such as when you called Obama a rag head last fall). They genuinely care about the opposite idea enough to listen with an open mind.

Speaking on the issue at hand, reading your response a few times I just don't see what validity there is. You are doing what so many people do time and time again. Picking and choosing certain scriptures and ignoring others. If you are speaking from a Christian view then here is my rebuttal. If you are speaking form a different perspective then I will apologize ahead of time, because mine is purely a Christian one.

GOD not only made Adam and Eve, but he ALSO made Steve. Everyone is made in GOD's image. You will find 4 scriptures directly speaking to homosexuality in the Old Testament. The most common one being Lev 18:22. Mind you Ex 35:2 clearly says you should be put to death for working on the Sabbath. Haven't we all done that? Are you going to sell your child into slavery once he or she gets old enough? Ex 21:7. Jesus, who was brought to Earth for two reasons. To show us how to live our lives according to faith and to pay the price for our sins. Jesus never once talked about homosexuality.

I do ask one thing that directly affects you and your husband. Imagine how all those homosexual soldiers feel that they can never share an award ceremony. They don't get the medical benefits or access you receive as a military spouse. It's offered because of the sacrifice and dedication you give in support of your husband, but domestic partners don't get that right because people like you say your personal faith is more important than their rights.

Could you say I do the same thing as you sometimes with as bold of statements? Absolutely, but I have the knowledge to back up mine. I realized you don't want to know my thoughts behind something. It appears as though you just want to argue to argue or get a rise out of someone. I don't value that as a friend and with that I wish you the best. Please pass along my gratitude to yours and your husbands efforts in protecting us all.

God Bless,

Billy

Was it harsh? Yeah it was, but I don't regret it at any point. I believe what I believe not because someone told me to. Not because it's all I know, but because I learned about it on my own and made a decision myself. That, Jane Doe, is what a true leader does. You listen, learn then decide.