Do you support decriminalizing sodomy?
And tonight’s question is: Do you support decriminalizing sodomy? Yes or no. Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or post your vote on our e-poll at channel5belize.com. You can also send an email with your comments to questions@channel5belize.com.
I VOTE YESSSSS , un omosexsual no trae sal a un lugar por que Dios los creo a todos y solo el decidio como seria cada uno de nosotros , los que si traen sal a los lugares son los que matan y los violadores los que maltratan a la mujer , los que secuestran
Nooooooooooooooooooooo
NO, NO & NO!!!!! BURN FIAYA PAN THEM!!!!
There we go again the same arguments over and over. The foundation of religion is love so why so much hate? Let us just respect each other instead of worrying who is sharing the sheets with whom. Let’s worry about the bigger problems that our country is facing such as rampant violence and political corruption. Why don’t we make such a big fuzz about these issue instead?
As long as molestation, beastiality and rape get legalize too …..( sarcasm) Might as well legalize coke and heroine too … Time to PARTAY !
I vote No!!! That’s why God created Man and women only!!!
I vote NO. God created man and woman. we-man and women, are like a puzzle. we fit together perfectly. when u have a puzzle and try to force it somewhere it dont belong u ruin the whole picture, that what homosexuals do ruin d body, mind and soul. and they want to do the same to the society.so a resounding NO. Lets Keep Belize for God.
It saddens me to see people here displaying hatred to homosexuals! I really hate the sin they are committing, but I love the homosexuals and pray that all will come to the saving knowledge of JESUS CHRIST. We all have the tendancy to sin, and we do sin . If we say we don’t, we lie God says in 1 John. But if we have a relationship with Jesus, we will not want to sin. So therefore God did not invent homosexuality, rather people in their wicked hearts lusted man after a man. And how did God deal with Sodom & Gomorra?? see Genesis 19,23-29. And also see Romans 1,18-32. I don’t need any other authority than God and His Word,the Bible on this subject to know what I stand for!!
Everyone should have the HUMAN RIGHT to decide who they want to love – I vote NO!
Most views here represent a very reductive view of sexual behaviour based on notions of ‘sex for reproduction’ and the biological functions of the body. Human sexuality goes far beyond anatomy and physiology and it surely goes beyond sexual intercourse. Sexuality refers to a core dimension of being human which includes sex at birth, gender, sexual and gender identity, sexual orientation, eroticism, emotional attachment/affective relationships (the potential for love), and the potential for reproduction. It is experienced or expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, activities, practices, roles, relationships. Sexuality is a result of the interplay of biological, psychological, socio-economic, cultural, ethical and religious/spiritual factors.
So when you all talk about anal sex being unnatural you are strictly coming from a traditional perspective that views sexual behaviour for the sole purpose of reproduction. That reproduction is the only legitimate reason for sexual activity.
From this perspective of religious literalism or fundamentalism (that takes the Bible literally without understanding the cultural and historical context of when it was written; abomination meant that it was against the rituals, against culture, it did not mean that it was morally wrong), “If sex is for the sole purpose of reproduction, the assumption is that sex must be between a male and female.”
These assumptions are unrealistic and unscientific in the biologically and psychologically diverse world we live in.
If sex is only supposed to be for reproduction and hence should only be between a man and a woman, what do we leave outside of this box/perspective?’ The ‘Sex for reproduction view’ results in devaluing other forms of sexual behavior that do not result in reproduction. Some activities such as kissing, body caresses, and manual or oral stimulation of the genitals- are often relegated to the secondary status of foreplay (usually considered to be any activity before intercourse), implying that they are to be followed by the “real sex of coitus.” Sexual activity between members of the same sex also does not fit the model of sex for reproduction. These and other noncoital sexual behaviour – such as masturbation, sexual fantasy, and anal intercourse-have been defined at various times in our own and other cultures as immoral, sinful, perverted, or illegal. This is where some of you are coming from to understand human sexual behaviour.
Sexual behavior is more than for the purpose of reproduction. We engage in sexual behaviors for many reasons: to show love, to show affection and care, to have fun, to share intimacy, to relief stress, curiosity, to show tenderness, excitement, to be playful, to explore ourselves and others, to connect with others, to experience pleasure, to manifest our eroticism, and to simply do it because it can be fulfilling and enjoyable, among many other reasons.
Sexuality during infancy and childhood (we are sexual beings even before birth), eroticism of the elderly, manifestations of sexual diversity (all activities and things that turns us on), not having children, homosexuality, bisexuality, and eroticism of persons with disabilities is left outside of this ‘sex for reproduction perspective/box.’ This traditional belief has often been perpetuated by people in authority such as the church, the clergy, and other agents of socialization to CONTROL PEOPLE’S BODIES AND SEXUALITIES.
In other words, SEXUAL PLEASURE has been left outside the ‘sex for reproduction perspective.’ And sexual pleasure is a right. A Sexual Right we all have as human beings.
Why do we have to have so much hate. Our soociety is going down the drain without hmosexual help and where is the commotion by churches and governmennt here… There is a lot of misinformation out there that this Mr Scott stirm is promoting. Implying that children willl be abused and converted to homosexuals if they gte there right is absolutely IDIOTIC. I do not think anyone wants to adopt homosexualism as an alternaative unless you arre born that way , knowing the burden of living in hidiing and descrimination.. as per Mr. stirm 78% its totally false and misleading. The most molestation of children is done by heterosexuals not homosexuals, unless you want to include the big lisst of priests and pastors iin courts for abusing children.. lets have the facts before having hate which by the way is not a christiaan thing. Scott stirm should go back to wacko Texas which by the way is full of reeligious loonis who buent themseelves to death about 40 of them in the name of god…My best friend andd a cousin is gay and its not fair
A Response to Homophobic Church Propaganda
“If the concept of God has any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer, and more loving. If God cannot do this, then it is time we got rid of Him.” –James Baldwin
Belize’s democracy is young and ought to hold much promise. Democracies are not static; they evolve as generations change and citizens become more enlightened and empowered to join in the public forum of ideas which eventually fosters a more equitable, just society. At times, however, certain socio-political forces impede a democracy’s natural evolution towards a necessary egalitarian state. Political cronyism, prejudice and religious dogmatism are often enemies of social development and a citizenry remains impoverished by these dangerous forces. If Belizeans are to usher their young, postcolonial democracy towards a more inclusive, pluralistic model, as represented by more modern, developed societies, it must contend with these dangerous forces that, left unchallenged, would keep the country in an arrested state, void of vision and potential for growth in multiple ways. It is no surprise that these forces perpetuate themselves by callous exploitation of the basest human emotions–fear and hatred. They may dumbfound and paralyze a populace and nobody knows how to manipulate them more than political demagogues and religious fanatics. Fear and hatred have no place in a healthy democracy; they must be confronted, challenged and eradicated vehemently if the promise of a young democracy is to be fulfilled.
UNIBAM, in exercising its rights in the Belizean democracy, finds it necessary to issue a response to a series of homophobic, fundamentalist propaganda being launched by certain religious groups. Such propaganda, a testament to the ignorant piety of the gullible, is clearly designed to incite fear and prejudice among the Belizean people against gay and lesbian citizens. It is based solely on religious dogmas, which are antithetical to reason or logic. It is obvious these religious groups have no intention to engage in a reasonable dialogue on the issue of homosexuality and a prejudicial law that could be used unjustly against gays in Belize. Their sole purpose is to disseminate their fallacious information and fuel the flames of intolerance. Now it is imperative to recognize and emphasize the fact that Belize is NOT governed by a theocracy or tenets that groups of citizens consider divine word of god. The case being brought forward by UNIBAM against Article 53 of Belize’s laws is a matter to be settled ONLY by the state without any influence from religious bodies or their incendiary rhetoric. UNIBAM’s argument is firmly based on the cause of inalienable human rights, regardless of nationality, religion, sex, gender, economic class, race or sexual orientation.
If Belize is to progress socially, it is imperative that it resist dogmatism, zealotry and bigotry, especially those that come under the guise of an ostensibly innocuous church. Dogmatic thinking and ideologies are counterproductive; they allow no room for intellectual inquiry, analysis, exchange of ideas or a healthy dialogue on important civil issues. If god is the be all end all, the explanation for everything, then humans must merely succumb to the hearsay tenets of god and not utilize their own intellectual capacity. One of the main reasons for the Dark Ages in Europe was due to the dominant church’s rigid censorship of the arts, sciences and philosophy, in effect, the public forum of ideas. Hence, during this period, almost a millennium, there was little significant development in these fields, which we know advance culture and civilization. Instead the church was busy sanctioning holy wars, witch hunts and burnings at the stake, the victims being anyone who did not comply with their strict tenets and moral codes. In fact, religious fanatics and gross distortions of religious texts have been responsible for significant strife in human history—The Inquisition, The Crusades, justification of slavery, the oppression of women, terrorist bombings in Ireland and the Middle East, to name a few. Belize, an already poor, struggling nation, cannot afford to be dragged into retrogression by these religious zealots for whom nonsensical dogmas should replace human autonomy, volition, potential and responsibility. It would be a grave travesty to allow these religious bigots and their highly subjective tenets to have any influence on public policy.
Instead of spreading fallacies and condemning others, these church groups would better serve the Belizean public by speaking out against poverty, rampant crimes, violence, injustice, and political corruption. The Christ we are familiar with says nothing about homosexuality, but he surely was a vehement critic of injustice and religious hypocrisy. The Christ we are familiar with compassionately walked among the lepers and the sex workers warning the zealots and the pious against casting the first stone at them. But instead of loving their neighbor as themselves, inspiring hope, or fighting for the rights of the oppressed, these religious groups somehow find it more worth their time to march and spread fallacious propaganda condemning homosexuals. They are fully aware that such tactics promote fear, discrimination, ignorance and even violence. Certain church leaders have been exploiting the power of their pulpit to misinform the public about the amendment to Section 53 of the laws of Belize. This is blatant hypocrisy. It seems that the church’s philosophy of love and forgiveness has succumbed to one of hatred and persecution. These crusaders must be held accountable for spreading pernicious lies that dangerously misguide the public. One of their recurring mantras, and that of homophobes in general, is “that by removing the sodomy law we give license to these homosexual pederast to infiltrate our schools and sexually abuse our children.” There is ample empirical evidence from the Caribbean that shows that most child sexual abuse/rape/exploitation is perpetrated by heterosexual men. The incidents of heterosexual sex abusers sexually molesting young girls (including members of their own families), is epidemic in Belize. To further educate on this issue, sex between men and minor boys (pederasty), is not considered by sexologists to be affiliated with sexual orientation, or eroticism. Such act is based on control, abuse of power and exploitation of the vulnerable. It is, therefore, deceptive and dangerous to correlate homosexuality and pederasty. Now, it is interesting that this fallacious propaganda is coming from the pulpit which has had no shortage of sex scandals with minors over many years and in many countries. Great job, Christian soldiers; what a way to do god’s work.
Zealots seem unaware of their own self-contradiction, though conscious of the way they select their battles. It must be emphasized that what their religious creeds deem sinful is by no means subjected to civil illegality. Premarital sex, having multiple sex partners and using contraceptives, though sinful in the eyes of the church, are widely practiced without any civil or state disapproval. It would be a curious thing to see these crusaders try to have the state criminalize these practices. But obviously, they know the impossible battle they would have with such campaigns. They are also hypocritically aware of a slew of other forbidden practices cited in their religious texts, but which they themselves commit on a daily basis and then seem to conveniently ignore. And so, once again, homosexuality becomes the cause célèbre that helps to validate their raison d’etre. Make no mistake, it is a campaign founded on fallacies, fear, ignorance, unassailable dogmatism, and a refusal to comprehend the world within the sphere of reason and logic.
UNIBAM reiterates its case that consenting adults have an inalienable right to their bodies and to privately engage in whatever form of intimacy they choose. This right should not be impeded, in any way, by a state law, or the highly subjective values of religious doctrines and dogmas. Belize has an auspicious opportunity to stand out as a promising, young democracy, one that empowers its citizens with their rights and designs laws that preserves those rights. Belize is at the threshold of becoming the first nation in the Caribbean to decriminalize sodomy, a move that has already been made by almost all developed nations of the world. We trust that Belize will choose to join such league of nations and set an example for the region. We will continue to resist religious bigotry and challenge these crusaders to disprove Jonathan Swift’s observation that “we have just enough religion to make us hate but not enough religion to make us love one another.”
an absolute no! no question about that.
STOP THE HATE.. our moral values are already down the drain without homosexual help.. they have a right to liive in pace without hiding and descrimination.. i do not think nobody chooses to be gay after so much suffering they go through. and please mr. Scott stirm stop doing fear mongering and falso information. everyone knows that child abuse either physical, emotional and sexual is more done by the heterosexual community andd not the gay people.. the churches both pastors and priests are in court fighting child abuse. look at the news. so people lets stop the hate and not let someone abuse of our ignorance. god promoted love and tolerance and let him be the judge. by best friend and cousion is gay and they are wonderful people.
I vote NO!!!! again GOD created Adam & Eve, not Adam & Steve..
No to changing Section 53 of the Criminal Code as it stands.
Lets pray for the homosexual so that their spiritual eyes may open, lets remember that we too are not perfect we disobey God in different ways, God in his mercy sent Jesus to die for us. The Holy Spirit is the one that convinces us of sins and Jesus died for all of us. They need us to take the word to them just like one day someone brought the word to us.
I think if all participants are adults, they can make decisions for themselves regarding sexual orientation, the government should not dictate what they do sexually.
Hell no
I vote NO
No!
i vote no
NO!!!
No to gay agenda
No to gay agenda.
No way Jose, no gay agenda
Statistics has shown that the different ethnicities react, tolerate, and envisons different cultural wars differently… its a sensitiive analysis but it has to be mentioned. everywhere it has shown that creole and black people respect to homosexuality is intolerable and hispanics in belize have more respect and tolerance to it. however the creole/black community accept or learn to liive with gangs and crime in a more tolerant way than hispanics hispanics in belize.. lets not forget that we have a say in this too not just the anglicans and methodists in belize city… there arre more pressing issues in our nation that has already affected the moral fiber of our country. lets respect and stop descriminating… nothing will change by decriminalizing it.. iit has been shown in other countries and believe me children abuse is not done by homosexual community. i have worked in human rights office before and its so sadd to see oour nation liive inn ignorance and hurt people
No to gay agenda
I VOTE,NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
No!!!!
I VOTE NO!!!!
i vote no
NO
All I ask is that Belizeans view this site http://nambla.org This is the real homosexual agenda. Yes, we can “love our brothers and sisters in a spiritual way”. The homosexuals want to love you in a physical way. Why doesn’t someone question Caleb about underage boy relationships. He may seek to entice your son in a man boy sexual relationship. Homosexuals also involve lesbians. Take a look at this website and tell me if your children should look at it. http://pinterest.com/fcat228/lesbian-love-adult-content/
Being a homosexual is a choice, not a right. Freedom is a right (just like Bob Marley fought for). You are not born a homosexual, just like you are not born a thief. As an adult, you can choose what you want to be. It is Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.
I VOTE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
why should i support something like that come on thats against religion and belief of our society so why change the law for just a few people and there same sex agenda when it will affect us all. how would u feel to see two man kissing or holding hands or two woman doing to same thing in public thats nasty.
I have nothing against these gay people i don’t want to know what they are doing behind close doors… ..God loves them .i vote NO!
no to gay in Belize
no to homo in Belize at all
we do not want gays
No and no and noooooooo again and again
no to the sodomites
I dont understand why this is even entertained at tthe court level. How do they even propose to defend this to the courts? How do 2 men have sex? How do 2 women have sex? Please tell me why we are entertaining this again? I must have missed something here. I guess we will have to teach this to our children in school because it is socially accepted in America and Europe?
HELLL NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I respectfully vote NO.
No. No. No!!!
no way it is immoral
i say no to gay in belize
No. No. No!!!
Noooooo!
Nooooooooooo!!!!!!
There is MORE at STAKE than just allow them to do what they do in the privacy of their own home. Please, people, REALIZE that!
2 Tim. 3:1-4
Perilous Times and Perilous Men
3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!