Christianity is a weight dragging all of society down with it

1. Homosexuality "Gay people are portrayed as criminals and sinners". True. Virtually every major religion regards homosexual activity as sinful. Christianity also does (some fringe denominations aside, that is). If Christianity is true, though, then this is actually a good thing, as it gives gay people an incentive to stop acting on their gay impulses (it's called self-control, and with access to the proper resources and the willingness to submit to measures to end one's negative habitual activities this can be accomplished.) If Christianity is not true, but another religion like Islam, Judaism, or Buddhism is, then this is still beneficial, as even if the wrong religion is stating it, homosexuality would still be a behavior that they need to break free from. If no religion is true, Christianity iz still providing a deterrent against a behavior which is harmful to society (seeing as the US is larger in area than India but nowhere near its population; can you imagine how powerful we'd be if the population doubled? Plus, among some ethnicities the population is actually declining. We need to raise the birth rate!). Also, you yourself admitted that homosexual activity quickened the spread of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). "It (the fact that homosexual activity helps spread AIDS) is not a valid reason to justify this religious homophobia because I could say that AIDS pandemic would've been majorly improved if it wasn't for heterosexual couples having intercourse". While AIDS may also spread through "straight sex", gay sex is (probably) much more effective in spreading HIV, as shown by this link: http://www.cdc.gov... While other factors may be involved in this huge overrepresentation of men who have sex with men (MSM) in new HIV infections, straight couples would also likely be subjected to these other factors, meaning that the gay sex itself, compared to "straight sex", is the likely culprit. In fact, this unbiased source admits to such (though it does also list external factors): http://std.about.com... Now, despite this, do gay men have a right to engage in homosexual activities? Well, yes. Technically it is a free country. However, like racism, it is something that, while protected under freedom, something that society should discourage, simply because it is as destructive as it is. Anyway, I admit that in the United Kingdom, gay marriage is still illegal in Northern Ireland. And, in the United States it is still illegal in 12 states (as of the date that this was typed and posted). Also, same-sex unions are not recognized in 17 states (which is less relevant as in 5 of those states same-sex marriage is allowed). However, 70% of the US population resides in jurisdictions where same-sex marriage is legal. Only 30% does not. If you live in one of the 12 states, then in the meantime you can move to one of the 38 states until full legalization occurs. Thus, the issue is not a major one, and the remaining States will likely legalize gay marriage in the next few years. Still, as the average lifetime cost of HIV treatment is over 370,000 U.S. Dollars, and Christianity is providing a deterrent to a behavior that increases HIV infection rates, on the gay front Christianity isn't such a bad thing. (Link to $370,000+ figure): http://www.cdc.gov... Then, my opponent mentions stuff like hate crimes. Literally hateful activity is opposed to the tenets of Christianity, but often some Christians do engage in hateful activity directed towards homosexuals, be it speech or actions. While this does serve to deter a destructive activity, it still is overkill, I'll admit. Still, it is a problem that can be fixed by a wide understanding in the Christian community that while homosexuality is sinful, homosexual people are not "monsters"; rather, they are sinners like everyone else (Christians also sin often), and they should be reached out to, not condemned. In many ways, however, it is society's fault, not that of the Christian community. The Christian community provides a deterrent, but society actually encourages people with homosexual tendencies to act upon those impulses. It's a game of Tug-Of-War and Cognitive Dissonance that only makes it worse; one group should yield. And as homosexual behavior is unhealthy, the Liberal crowd should yield. All religious texts aside, it's widely known that (at least in right now's western society) society embracing homosexuality would have negative effects and, while tolerated, should not be encouraged. Before I continue, I apologize for my statement which my opponent found to be "extremely inconsiderate and hypocritical". Still, though straight couples could certainly improve, this is about gay couples. 2. Gender Oh dear. My opponent has fallen for the fallacious assumption that because the Bible deems men to be the "head of the household" the Bible is sexist. First of all, what is sexism? Well, sexism is unfair treatment based on gender. Also, I apologize that the existence of the Holy Book which I base my hope for Eternity upon is something which you find "teeth-grindingly irritating". My opponent has stated (or at least insinuated) that men and women are equally ambitious. However, this is not quite true. Let's say that I were to survey 50 men and 50 women. Let's say that I were to ask them the following questions: 1. Would you want to be a U.S. Congressman/Congresswoman? 2. Would you like to be a world-renowned mercenary warrior? 3. How would you like to be the CEO of a large corporation? Well, if you were to be honest with yourself, you'd admit that more men than women would answer "yes" to at least one of these questions. Why? Because men in general are more ambitious than women in general. And this isn't just based off cultural norms. It's rooted in biology. http://www.cbsnews.com... http://www.mastersofhealthcare.com... One of these differences is that men tend to be more narcissistic. http://www.foxnews.com... http://www.washingtonpost.com... Now, I will admit that this link right here provides a dissenting opinion. http://www.medicaldaily.com... However, this seems to be rooted in opinion, not evidence. So, men are more ambitious and power-hungry. They like power more. Women generally have a different "area of expertise". This explains the following: http://www.cbsnews.com... http://freakonomics.com... Women are generally less satisfied pursuing a business career in contrast to raising a family. Call it sexist if you may, but biology doesn't lie. Under the Christian idea of marriage, wives submit to their husbands' authority as head of the household. Meanwhile, their husbands love their wives as they love themselves. Men get respect, wives get love. Not all women (or men) would be satisfied with this arrangement, but most are. Even with the source my opponent provided, less than 30% of women want equality with their partner. That means over 70% don't. 3. Charity My opponent asks a question. Is it worth it, even with charity? I have shown that the answer is yes; when the Christian model is applied, society is better off for it. At the very least, it is not a "weight". My opponent has failed to meet his burden of proof. I await his response (which, hopefully, will be more substantial).