How to maintain state of views in fragment?

What do you think of this?

• What do you think of this speech I want to give at Clergy Call 2009? Hello, I am the Rev. Andrew Hamilton. I am standing before you today to address my views on homosexual discrimination stemming from religious intolerance, its violent and selfish effect on American youth, and my opinion on a possible governmental position on this, and other, social dilemmas that cause Americans to lash out in hatred against one another, and in so doing, ruthlessly influence the suicide of thousands of American teens and young adults.. We all know that many people profess hatred and condemnation in the name of God. Religions from all over the world take hatred of another belief to be the work of God. Suicide bombing a Judaic Synagogue, burning down a small town church, murdering people and labeling them as witches because they have a radical outlook on religion, and crucifying a man because he claims to be the messiah, are all seen as glorious acts for the advancement of a belief in the ‘true’ God. Anything not mainstream becomes heretical, and anything we don’t understand is condemned. Unfortunately, time passes while these problems remain. Governments stand and watch as teen suicides increase because they feel unaccepted among their own social groups, and in many cases, their own families. No one acts to stop organizations such as the Westboro Baptist Church, which dogmatically professes God’s hatred for almost every alternative group and minority. Organizations like these may be exercising their right to free speech, but on the other hand, one should consider, at whose expense is this freedom enjoyed? Now, as a happy, and patriotic American, I fully support freedom of speech. I feel that very little should be censored, but when discriminatory material is not only released, but forced upon those of alternative lifestyles, I feel there should come a limit. In a study conducted in 2001, by Patrick Healy, homosexual teens were shown to be "five times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers." A study by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network in 2000 showed that "69 percent of gay students reported having been targets of verbal, physical or sexual harassment in school, and that 42 percent said they had been physically assaulted." Many of these attacks are religious. I notice them in physical public locations, as well as in chat rooms and forums. I see them written on the wall in restroom stalls, and I hear them uttered by such a large majority of heterosexual teens and young adults. I feel that many of the suicides of those being persecuted for alternative lifestyles can be prevented by a united action on behalf of the Church and the Federal Government. While I believe that separation of Church and State exist for very good reason, I do feel that the United States government, in consideration of its constituents, has an obligation to step forward and take appropriate measures to reduce mortality rates amongst American youth, if such rates may be so controlled. Much of the religious hatred toward homosexuality is based solely on ignorance of scriptural context, a problem that faces much of today's society. Too often, people define their beliefs based on their doctrinal and congregational affiliations, rather than define these affiliations based on their beliefs. People often forget to think for themselves. "The man in the collar at the front of the Church must know what he is talking about, so therefore, I don't have to." As clergy and as secular Americans, we have a duty to educate the people and enforce a concept of reason. We have a responsibility to maintain the dignity of our congregational constituents, and a mission to ensure that our beliefs are not used for the hatred and condemnation of those we may not understand. I also feel that such measures should include legislation which may influence, but not coerce, the Church to show further acceptance toward groups to which they are stereotypically, inherently, and dogmatically opposed. I feel that the United States should create legislation to include homosexuality as a basis upon which no employer, educational institution, or any other private governing body may discriminate. I feel that religious organizations, churches, and other ecclesiastical bodies should be included as compliant bodies, thus preventing them from excluding anyone on the basis of any social parameters or alternative lifestyles, under this legislation, even if that lifestyle is deemed by their institution’s doctrinal adherence as morally or fundamentally incorrect. This suggested legislation would be enough to begin the construction of a platform upon which social activist groups, local, state, and federal governing bodies, and religious organizations could unite for common, but legally influenced, American goals; goals that have been written in the very fabric of this great nation since it’s birth, and have outlived every generation since. We

• Answer:

  I totally agree with your speech. Finally a priest who actually accepts homosexuality and will help defend it. You are a great man. I hope you don't tell people gay people are horrible at your church. I hope you do well and your speech is well liked by everyone at that convention.