Listen to the words he says about how to fight this battle. Respect religion but also challenge it.

One often-neglected fact is that historically and in many cultures, homophobia is indeed very deeply rooted in misogyny -- the incredulity that a man would want to "play a woman's role." (Also why in some people's minds, two girls making out is "hot" but two men are beyond the pale somehow.) The two prejudices often go hand in hand. Warning, oversimplification follows: for example, in ancient Rome, it was more honorable to be an older "top" than a younger "bottom."

It's worth looking into and trying to combat these things in tandem.

Rodriguez's premise that Churches want to exercise some kind of male authority over women is a weak explanation for why they would want to prevent gay marriage. If so, wouldn't they prefer for children to be raised by two fathers instead of none?

The obvious reason is that exploiting anti-gay sentiments (already woven into the fabric of many societies) and scapegoating a minority is a time-honored and proven technique for consolidating political power.

I would like to point out that not only is the Episcopal Church led by a woman, but the Episcopal Church has a gay partnered bishop, a number of gay clergy, and was an outspoken opponent of Prop 8. I am very proud of the Episcopal Church and hope that it will point the way to the future of Christianity.

...all the reasons given for the "relationship" the Church has with the 'homsexual community' sound like warmed over 60's sociopsychobabble and yet....his misses the point by a mile. This if often the tragic result for those to whom 'education' (read, 'the fluffy humanities') is a sacrament.

The Church opposes homosexuality because it is a sin, pure and simple. It will not evolve into anything else, ever. It is an abomination. Marriage however, and this is nothing other than the lifelong commitment of one man and one woman, is and always will be, a gift from that same God and is the ONLY place where sex is in fact a sacrament. Outside of marriage, it is always a sin. The act of sex between two homsexuals happens to have the double whammy of being a sin against God AND against nature.

surely we need not lose faith in the transformational power (and ever-presence) of love as we honestly face darknesses in the desert faiths. let us not run from a forgiving god as we acknowledge his oppressive brother. let us be family. we are blessed as we are.

as a woman who loves men i am grateful to Mr. Rodriguez for this piece. it validates elements of my experience in a transformational way: this is Christian of him, he re-connects me to a source of strength.

I eagerly forward to his book on middle eastern religions.

There is nothing simple about asserting, as a Christian, that homosexuality is a sin. Jesus Christ said nothing about it. All the Bible verses that condemn it—and there aren't many—come from the same Old Testament backwaters that Jesus' advent has rendered moot for Christians.

The same part of the Bible that prohibits homosexuality ranks borrowing or lending money for an interest rate as a sin. I don't imagine many modern Christians continue to swear off banks. Another verse proximate to the homosexuality prohibition bans the mixing of different fibers in fabric. So that elastic holding up your socks is sinful too. Insisting on the sinfulness of homosexuality would require some fairly complex double standards and tendentious interpretation.

You have it wrong. Constructing sound biblical arguments against homosexuality is complex. It is bigotry that is simple.

And this is exactly why they should not be taken seriously in any attempt to be societies "moral guardians". Remove the plank from your own eyes, folks. I think the real reason why the churhces are having a hard time fighting against homosexuality is because they have no interest in what causes same sex attraction in the first place. The lack of any intellectual curiousity has been a detriment in many areas but in this case, it could be their downfall.

The christian community has a lot to answer for as far as gays are concerned. Not just marriage but claiming AIDS was God's punishment. To my knowledge, none of the groups or individuals who perpetuated this idea have ever apologized. Next time some christian says that gay marriage should not be permitted because they are afraid their children will be taught the "gay lifestyle" in schools, just remind them of this.

The issue is control. Control over one's sexuality and that of others. Control over women and children. The response to lack of control is all very often violence, sexual abuse, or desertion.

The monotheistic churches have a central premise the subordination of man to god and of women and children to man. Feminism is such a refutation of that belief that it is literally driving a lot of men crazy. Whole societies are now mobilized to stop the advance of women.

But they will not win. And gays will get their rights too. You can't put the genie back in the bottle.

I like what Rodriquez says about families solving problems of difference in the way they do, because love and solidarity override politics. That's real family values.

I think that Mr. Rodriguez has very good points to make, about the church, feminism and male role models and the absence of men in many families.

I would just like to mention one thing, regarding Michael Phelps's dad. I thought since the media never mentioned it, I assumed his father was one of those men who ran out on his family. A dead dad would have mentioned in those I know my father is looking down on me and is proud moments. One who had to stay home for some can't get away to Bejing issue would have been mentioned. Phelps never mentioned his father, the media never mentioned him so I just had to figure the media was being polite in not tarnishing his positive feelings through his achievements by asking where his dickwad of a father was. Plus the Olympics are all about feel good moments and touching stories, daddy ran off and never looked back is kinda depressing.