Homophobic World Congress of Families kicks off in Amsterdam

"... If I thought you were clever, I'd be even more upset
And if you knew what you were saying, I might even have respect
As a Christian I should love you..."

Those K's Choice lyrics immediately come to mind upon reading your article, Natazzz. And I'm sure that, as is with any religion and their interpretations of their Holy Books and Scriptures, there are many Christians out there who are with the modern times and do not agree with these teachings, who learn their children respect and to keep an open mind and not judge others blindly.

If these people are so keen on traditional families and traditional values, why have the conference in Amsterdam? I mean, everybody and their mother knows that Amsterdam's pretty much the only place in the world (I know the Netherlands encompasses more than just the capitol) where coffee shops do not sell coffee, where prostitutes display their goods in windows, and - oh! - Sundays aren't about the Lord and going to mass anymore. Just sayin'...

Those type of Christians think feminism, abortions, safer sex (condoms) and divorce are wrong, because with each of them the church lost power over part of their congregation.
Feminism enabled women to stand up and speak up for themselves and their rights, and along with abortions and safer sex, the era a barefeet and pregnant women being "happy" homemakers slowly came to an end.
So what do they do? They try and spread fear in people's hearts by preaching AIDS is God's way of punishing people, and purposefully miseducate them.

I think if all Christians practice what they preach, their congregations would grow, and church attendances would increase, too; a lot of Christians who come out as queer and aren't accepted step out and look for an alternative way to give Christianity a place in their lives.

Sorry. I shut up now.

but this is the problem isn't, in response to Lil G and the article. We, the Dutch, are supposedly known for our tolerance and openness, when this is actually not true. I have been saying this for years and I get a rather mixed bag of responses. So people are surprised that a congress such as this would be in Amsterdam and that our ministers would be speaking in it. I for one am not surprised.
In the Netherlands we, supposedly, accept everything. and there in lies the problem. we ACCEPT EVERYTHING. or rather should I say that, and this is the way I see it, it's not even that we accept everything it's that as long as it doesn't infringe on our daily lives, it can't affect us and so we've adopted an attitude of "it's ok". this is not the same as tolerance or acceptance. Rather one of insisted upon ignorance. it's not the same.
I find the Netherlands for example no more or no less open then lets say Spain. so why do we have this image? It comes down to history. The problem with history is that it's in the past and the present is a whole different kettle of fish. and right now that kettle is starting to smell pretty bad. But no has noticed because we are all too busy looking the other way.
We're safe in the enclaves that we've build around ourselves.
Sure I have no direct resistance to living with my girlfriend, sharing our lives together and could. But I think if I hung the rainbow flag out the window, the lady with all the gnomes who lives opposite us, might just have something to say about it.
The attitude of just be normal and then you're crazy enough has infiltrated every single fibre of Dutch thinking and has led to a general state of blissful numbness that I find most annoying.
So am I surprised that such a congress is in Amsterdam? No. As next week the same place could very possible host a congress on prostitute rights. Simply put the Dutch just live their lives in their own little cocoon and the rest of the world blissfully passes them by until it crashes into their world and bursts their bubble.
and by the way: Prostitutes standing in windows is in no way and exclusive sight in Amsterdam. you'll find this view all over the globe.
As for the congress itself, well. I am left with very little to say except for "bunch of idiots". When Judgement day comes we'll see who is on the right side of the fence. The people who live their lives in peace, love and openness or those that spread intolerance, violence and hate. I know which side I am betting on. you?
OK getting of the soapbox now. :) sorry people.
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