NOTE: The following was written on June 5, 2012. I was not going to post this , however, after all the rage of Chick-fil-A, I thought that I would share this for some of my beliefs.
Ellen DeGeneres said
the following in 2009 at a commencement service at Tulane University:
When I was younger I thought success was
something different. I thought, “When I grow up, I want to be famous. I want to
be a star. I want to be in movies. When I grow up I want to see the world,
drive nice cars. I want to have groupies.” But my idea of success is different
today. For me, the most important thing in your life is to live your life with
integrity and not to give into peer pressure, to try to be something that
you’re not. To live your life as an honest and compassionate person. To
contribute in some way.
Ellen is one of my favorite celebrities of all time as she cares
for people and tries to brighten everyone’s lives that she meets. She is also
has a huge heart for everyone. I do believe that she is a great comedian and I
also believe that she one that we can look up to. Yep, I said look up to.
However, Ellen has had scrutinizing comments made to her as she has become a
new spokesperson for JC Penny’s. The reason you ask? Well, it is because she is
an openly gay woman or lesbian. Now let me tell you that she is getting these
comments from Christian men and women. Some Christians believe that JC Penny’s
has darkened family values or “attacked family values three times.”
In February of this year, Ellen became a spokesperson.
In May, two lesbian women were photographed for one of JC Penny’s
catalog.
And the third “attack” would come this week where two gay men-a
couple-portrayed Dads for a Father’s Day ad.
First off, I will not post Biblical verses stating that
homosexuality is wrong, however, they are in there. I promise you that.
However, I am not God nor do I desire to be Him. And you may not believe in Him
so that is your business, not mine.
Secondly, I find Christians who use the word “attack” in the above
situation to be very closed minded to homosexuality. Side rant: I do not know
if people are born gay or not. It doesn’t matter to me. However, whatever the
case may be, everyone deserves the compassion and respect given to white,
blacks, and straights! Back the first sentence: “Attack” needs to use when
something (or someone) intentionally violates another person through word or
action. I do not see these “attacks” violating someone’s rights! How are these
even attacks against family values? Family values are individual made values by
the leaders of the family.
Thirdly, the leaders of the family may be made traditionally of a
man and a woman. However, in some cases (as in homosexual couples) the
leadership can be made up of two men or two women.
Fourthly, who are we as a society or Christian organization-yes, I
am a Christian-to say that two men and an adoptive son are not a family? Or who
are we to say that two women and an adoptive daughter are not a family? These
couples are not only couples but are partners and parents.
My final rant will be toward the Christians who find that
homosexuality is wrong. I understand your viewpoint that you see it wrong. Some
homosexuals see that as well. However, let them speak to you and you hear their
feelings about all of this as well because so many times, Christians boldly and
forcefully give their opinion that homosexuals are going to hell because they
are gay. Again, it is none of my business between God and a homosexual. But
Christians, “live your life as an honest and compassionate person” and “contribute
in some way.”
Being a Christian, I do believe that I am honest, compassionate,
and I contribute in many ways-my relationship with God is not lowered with me
being this way to so many people, including homosexuals.
But back to JC Penny. JC Penny is a great store with great prices.
I will not stop shopping there because they have a spokesperson who happens to
be lesbian. I will not stop shopping there because of a lesbian couple in a
store catalog. And I will certainly not stop shopping there because of a gay
couple in an ad for Father’s Day. In fact, I will more than likely shop there
and endorse Penny’s as they are reaching out in diversity as well as showing
that family is about family and not about tradition. Because if we go with tradition,
than we would have a man and a woman where the man is the leader of the house
and the woman is the housewife who does not work and does not have a say in
what goes on in the household. So if we want to talk about tradition-let us
throw that out the window with this situation and make sure that family values
are independently made by the family leaders and NOT made by the government or
religion. …. Have I mentioned that I HATE religion?
JC Penny’s is a great store and I actually applaud them for what
they are doing by reaching out and saying that things are not necessarily put
in a square box. After all, who deems what is normal? Because I for one, will
not color inside the lines because someone tells me to but I will color outside
the lines and still give you a beautiful picture. JC Penny is trying to save
people money while they shop for nice clothes, a penny saved is a penny earned
and NOT a penny wronged! Unless you are a scrooge with money, everyone enjoys
saving money. So why do we say JC Penny’s is wronging family values because
family values are different to everyone.
And that my dear reader, can be taken to the bank!
I will leave you with this video of Why I HATE Religion But Love Jesus and maybe you can understand why I believe some of things written above and on previous "MaDnEsS" entries.
