Cole_2.4_DQ

For me, it makes no difference if I talk to someone who shares or differs from my personal views, as long as the discussion is civil and has supporting pillars that make sense to me. For example, I am neutral in my opinion right now on whether or not marijuana should be legalized. Every discussion I hear regarding it gives me more information to research and strengthen my own opinions with, making the topic an exciting one regardless of which side I am listening to. On the other hand, issues such as gay marriage are often discussed emotionally by other people, which make it an irritating topic to discuss. Reasoning such as "well, the Bible says..." or "it's just wrong!" do not create a strong argument, nor does it increase my respect of homophobes and pious Christians who cannot put their own prejudices aside long enough to try seeing things from an alternative point of view. Any conversation, regardless of the perspective one takes, can become enthralling as long as logic dictates more of the argument than emotion. In regards to the gay marriage topic, my question is this: Why are many Christians quick to cite the Bible for evidence when it has been used in the past to support current societal abominations such as slavery, prostitution, and polygamy? I am a Christian myself, but I refuse to be controlled by a book that is adjacent with the civil rights standards of over two thousand years ago.