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In Your Words: "I think of socialism as a forced charity, which may be unfair to the rich, but helps the greater good." -- ahobonamedsid
Topic 9: Homer Sexuals!
 
"IMMORAL SCENES"
TEHRAN (Feb. 28) - Outraged by scenes of young boys and girls using Shi'ite Islam's most sacred mourning day as an opportunity to flirt in public, Iran's religious hardliners are calling on authorities to stamp out such "vulgar displays."
Failure to do so, some newspaper commentators said, would force pious citizens to take matters into their own hands.
"Let the officials realize that the heroic and passionate people of Iran can easily deal with a handful of hoodlums and promiscuous elements that ridicule our sanctities," the hardline Jomhuri-ye Eslami daily said in an editorial last week.
The main focus of hardline anger was a gathering of several hundred youngsters at Mohseni square in affluent northern Tehran earlier this month on the night of Ashura.
Ashura is the day Shi'ites commemorate the death of Imam Hossein in a 680 AD battle which cemented the schism between Sunni and Shi'ite Islam. In Iran, where Shi'ite Islam is the official religion, it is supposed to be marked by mourning.
"In the sunset of Ashura, women and girls in tight clothes and transparent scarves and guys dressed in Western fashion lit candles while laughing their hearts out," said the Ya Lesarat weekly, mouthpiece of the feared Ansar-e Hizbollah hardline vigilante group, members of whom later dispersed the crowds.
Other newspapers printed pictures from the Mohseni square gathering, focusing on young girls wearing make-up, laughing and mingling freely with the opposite sex.
"In this disgraceful event which was like a large street party, women and girls ... as well as boys ... mocked Muslims' beliefs and sanctities in the most shameless manner," Jomhuri-ye Eslami said.
Public displays of affection between unrelated men and women are banned in Iran. Western dress, make-up and pop music are also frowned on by hardliners upon as signs of moral turpitude....... ---- Associated Press
My Two Cents: Does any of this sound familiar? I posted this because it reminds me of the current (and ongoing) levels of anti-Homosexuality that occurs in the US. My friend, John, who was a roommate of mine my freshman year of college was the greatest guy in the world. Just a powerhouse of optimistism and charm, ready to love, forgive and cherish almost anything. But his one negative side? He was blatantly disgusted to the point of near outrage at the idea that a person's personal sin might be homosexuality -- even though he always recognized himself as a sinner (in general), as well.
President Bush, in secret tapes that were just released, has been quoted to say something along the lines of "I refuse to hate (or play hatred against) homosexuals. I am a sinner and have no right to judge the sins of others." WOW. That was a paraphrase, but that is the exact meaning he conveyed, i assure (look up "secret tapes Bush friend" on google's news section, you will probably find what im talking about). This is why Bush does not condemn homosexuality, he merely wishes to preserve marriage. He does not hate or wish to seek violence or imprison homosexuals.
And yet, there is a facet of our society which does harbor ENOURMOUS hatred against people who have never done anything to them. I mean that literally and factually, i am not juding here -- homosexuals (in general) have not done anything to those who harbor so much outrage these days and flap their mouths to the wind.
My Question: Am i wrong? Is not what is occuring in Iran very similar to the attitudes and ideas of those who persecute, harrass, or otherwise make the lives of homosexuals difficult in the United States? If you can judge the Iranians to be "monsters" or "immoral" or "having poor judgement" or whatever in this regard, what does that say of that VERY LARGE portion of the US population which has similar to the same attitudes regarding homosexuals? Do you remember the homosexual who was murdered because he was seen kissing in public?
Take care,
Field | 
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