Let's Make Things More Complicated...

Biology and Sociology. Yes, both are "ology"s. Both are about different subjects, but at the same time, neither can agree on where one begins and the other ends. Sociologists describe human behavior by making observations about how they act when around others. Biologists tend to describe things by their genetic make-up.

So, in a subject that includes both studies, I learn a new side to an issue that just sets most Christians off; gay marriage. I have seen both sides of the arguement. I am a history and sociology student. I have to. Up until recently, I have always believed that people chose to be gay or not. I disagree with gay marriage, even today, because it goes against the teachings of the Bible, but I learned another arguement in support of gay marriage recently, which comes in handy if you try to stir up the pot and get people talking and thinking in a college group bible discussion (devil's advocate is my favorite game to play.)

This goes back to when the human body is developing inside mommy's tummy. When the chemical reactions that take place that define whether a baby is going to be a boy or girl (this has been pre-set due to the XX or XY chromosome combination) something happens. One of the proteins that creates the organs that define men and women misses the boat. This is the part that I am a little bit sketchy on, but somewhere along the way, due to the presence of adreneline, both parts are formed. When the baby comes out, they mostly female, but they have a male part as well (this is a G-rated blog, in case you haven't noticed.) The doctors and the parents make the decision to choose a sex for the child, usually female because it's easier. But when that child hits puberty, funny things can start to happen. Testosterone levels can be unusually high, facial hair can develop, etc, and the individual may have no idea about their origins.

What happens if that person is attracted to people who are the same sex they are? Is this immoral? Because God looked upon His creation and called everything He made "good" and called specifically the human race "very good." God doesn't make mistakes. Nothing happens without reason. So, is this person wrong for being gay? If something went "wrong" in their development, and that person grew up attracted to people of the same sex as them, and God doesn't make mistakes, one would have to logically conclude that that person is as God made them and accept them for who they are.

While I am not sure I agree with said argument, one thing is for certain, whether one is an advocate for gay marriage or not; as a Christ-Follower, I am commanded to love that person for who they are. And not because I have to, but because I want to. This same "Do unto others..." phrase echos through most, if not all, religions, and it's a shame that people ignore it so often. Think if everone lived by this philosophy. Such a way of life is described in Acts, and it is AMAZING. (It actually describes a sort of God-centered communism, if you can imagine such a thing.)

It is late, and I can feel my brain waves beginning to fade. Timberline Ski Area opens up on Thursday, and it's going to take everything I have in me to go to class. So until next time, do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Well, do that forever.

Because Someone Told Me So

So I had someone today tell me that I had some good thoughts, and that they would read my blog if I had one. And since this is the 21st Century and said technology is virtually available to anyone with a computer and the mind to use it, I figured I'd give it a whirl. And since I am new to the "blogging" community, I figured I would use my first to explain who I am and my outlook on the world and life. Nothing "deep" yet.

I am a 19 year old student of history in Vancouver, WA. I work at a local music store, and within the combination of school and the retail world, my outlook on life has changed a lot. Yet another variable in my equation, I am a born-again-Christ-follower, which I would say is one of the most, if not the most important thing to me. Family, friends, education, work, rest, music, and the balance of such things are up there as well.

Now that you know a little bit of my background, here's a little bit of my stance on life, politics, and the world as we know it. There are many things that I am not sure of, and as such will openly express how torn I am between two different points of view. I like to wrestle with things, and it actually gets me in trouble sometimes. See, many Christians (excuse the generalization) spend so much time just believing. I believe faith should be tested. In this country and culture, this may seem like riding the fence. But I don't want to just believe in God. I want to KNOW He exists. And everyday, through the asking of hard questions and seeing His subtle interventions in my life, I am more assured of His existence.

There are still things that I wrestle with, some of which I will explore with this blog. These things may be political, relational, spiritual. Capital Punishment. Torture. War. Tolerance. "Historical revisionism." Sometimes I may have a good day and describe it. Sometimes I will have a bad day and vent about it. I may have a funny story, or describe what appeared in a test tube during a biology lab. Something may happen in the news, and I may have a comment on it. Who knows. But you won't be reading the same thing everytime I post, unless I had one REALLY good one and you are so riveted by it that you can't keep your eyes off it. So until next time, take it easy!