Further research

I conducted further research into homosexuality, which I gave to Kellie to write a proposal.

The Christian stance
What the Bible says about homosexuality

Old Testament Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable (Lev. 18:22). 
If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads (Lev. 20:13).

New Testament The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. . . . For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. . . . Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. . . . Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion (Ro. 1:18–19, 21, 24, 26– 27). 
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral not idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders . . . will inherit the kingdom of God (I Cor. 6:9– 10).
All arguments for or against homosexuality get down to the question of ethics. The naturalistic world view says, “What is, is. There is no ‘normal’ or ‘moral,’ for those terms presuppose some kind of standard. Therefore, homosexuality is just as viable a sexual orientation and lifestyle as any other.” 
The Christian world view says, “God has spoken in absolute terms about homosexuality. He says it is a perversion and a sin. God has also spoken in absolute terms about mercy. He says He is a God of compassion, and He extends mercy to those caught in sin. That is why Christ died.”

Is homosexuality natural or unnatural?
In light of what God says in Romans 1, we must conclude that homosexual desires, which feel natural, are actually unnatural. All three parts of us–spirit, soul, and body–were warped in the Fall. Much of what feels or appears natural in this post-Fall world is not what God originally created. 
Some people point to apparent homosexual behaviour in the animal kingdom as proof that homosexuality is natural. However, in animals, this behaviour is either a display of aggression and dominance, to secure the top place in the animal society hierarchy, or it is playfulness. It is never a homosexual lifestyle, and when a female is available for mating, males will always choose a female over a male.

Is homosexuality moral or immoral?
There are forty-four references to fornication (sexual immorality) in the Bible. All sexual activity outside of marriage is fornication. Therefore, any form of homosexual activity, whether a one-night stand or a long-term monogamous relationship, is immoral.

Is homosexuality an orientation God intended for some people, or is it a perversion of normal sexuality?
If God had intended homosexuality as a viable sexual orientation for some people, He wouldn’t have condemned it as an abomination. Homosexuality is never mentioned in Scripture in anything but negative terms, and there is nothing in the Bible even hinting at commendation or instruction for homosexual relationships. Some gay theology attempts to make David and Jonathan’s relationship (1 Sam. 18–20) a homosexual one. Their deep friendship, however, was not sexual, but one of godly emotional intimacy that truly glorified God. 
God’s plan is holy heterosexuality: “In the beginning the Creator made them male and female. For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh” (Matt. 19:4). 
The importance of the created order of male and female in union with each other is a reflection of how the marriage relationship is an illustration of the relationship between Yahweh and His people, between Christ and the Church. The union of two utterly different people (male/female) is an earthbound illustration of the mystery of the union between the amazingly “otherness” of Christ and His bride. A male/male or female/female union cannot reflect the “unity in otherness” that marks either the earthly or heavenly marriage.

-A Christian Perspective on Homosexuality. Date accessed: 3rd Oct 2011

The Liberal Stance
The liberal stance on homosexuality is a much more welcoming and accepting one as it focuses its arguments on a basic human need – love. From this perspective, homosexuality is something one is – an orientation that is not chosen. The argument for this lies in the explanation that homosexuality is genetically predetermined and that unknown environmental factors in early childhood affects certain genes, causing one to be homosexual.
It is not sinful to be a homosexual according to the liberals, if it is safe, consensual and committed in terms of a relationship. It is normal and natural to have these feelings and live this lifestyle, since sexual orientation is fixed and cannot be changed – thus, not curable, as the conservatives claim it is. Therefore, the children of homosexual parents will not be subject to homosexual traits as homosexuality is indeed individual The children of homosexuals will most likely be heterosexual themselves and be less judgmental and more accepting of other lifestyles and ways of living.
-Suite 101.com, Homosexuality, a Lifestyle Repressed by Religion. Date accessed: 3rd Oct 2011

Research into topic

I researched both the conservative (Christian) view of homosexuality and the liberal view of homosexuality.

The Traditional Conservative Perspective

The conservative view on homosexuality is mostly driven by religion, using several religious references to support main arguments. First and foremost, the conservative stance claims that homosexuality is a chosen lifestyle and that it is something one does. The cause of this behaviour lies mainly in poor parenting, previous sexual molestation that usually occurs during the childhood years, and even demon possession. It is believed that the addiction of homosexuality entraps individuals in the behaviour, making it difficult to escape.
Homosexuality is sinful, according to the conservative view, as it is unnatural, abnormal, and deviant and mirrors that of disordered behaviour. This condition threatens the family unit and thus, the social stability both in and around the family.

The Liberal Stance

The liberal stance on homosexuality is a much more welcoming and accepting one as it focuses its arguments on a basic human need – love. From this perspective, homosexuality is something one is – an orientation that is not chosen. The argument for this lies in the explanation that homosexuality is genetically predetermined and that unknown environmental factors in early childhood affects certain genes, causing one to be homosexual.
It is not sinful to be a homosexual according to the liberals, if it is safe, consensual and committed in terms of a relationship. It is normal and natural to have these feelings and live this lifestyle, since sexual orientation is fixed and cannot be changed – thus, not curable, as the conservatives claim it is. Therefore, the children of homosexual parents will not be subject to homosexual traits as homosexuality is indeed individual The children of homosexuals will most likely be heterosexual themselves and be less judgmental and more accepting of other lifestyles and ways of living.

Suite 101.com, Homosexuality: a lifestyle oppressed by religion.  Accessed: 18th October.

Final four ideas

Our group narrowed down our ideas to four:

Homosexuality
Transport
Pet sheters
Alternative and unconventional medicenes

I researched both for and against homosexuality. I gave the research to Kellie so she could write a pitch. But we decided to base our programme on alternative and unconventional medicine. We thought that we could incorporate an interview with a practitioner of unconventional medicine. I have a contact who is a yoga master and uses healing crystals and angel cards.

I’ve been a li…

I’ve been a little inactive on this blog over the last while… just can’t really get the motivation to do it… but here I am again!

I found the most amazing internship ever to do after college. A Communications Internship in Gulu, Uganda with Invisible Children. They are an organisation dedicated to ending the conflict caused by Joseph Kony & his soldiers, the Lord’s Resistance Army, in Uganda, Sudan and the DRC. Most of the soldiers in the LRA are children abducted by Kony and brainwashed into thinking he is receiving spiritual messages and is acting out this messages. Kony has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, but as he is hiding out in the jungle, he has yet to be tried. President Obama, last week, declared 100 soldiers will be deployed to the region to try end the conflict. This is after three years of rallying by IC and other groups. I have been involved in fundraising for IC since 4th year. When I found that my youth worker had a copy of Rough Cut, the IC film, I showed the film in school. This is a worthy cause, so if you could just give a bit, whatever you can, I’d be extremely grateful. Thank you.

Invisible Children website (Read about the LRA & Joseph Kony):
http://www.invisiblechildren.com

Fundraising page link is in the sidebar.

Wikipedia article on Kony:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Kony

Wikipedia article on the LRA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord%27s_Resistance_Army

Ideas generation for studio programme

Here is the full list of all ideas that Group C had for our studio programme for TV Studio Production

1- Piercings.
2- Effects of Media on Youth.
3- Youth Culture.
4- Music Scene in Ireland.
5- Sports Show.
6- Crafts Show.
7- New Technology (Gadgets).
8- Religion.
9- Fashion in Ireland (Teen males/females, older women).
10- Unconventional Medicines.
11- The Ipod Revolution.
12- Mount Joy (Life Behing Bars).
13- Teen News.
14- Homelessness.
15- Disadvantaged Areas vs. Wealthy Areas.
16- Humorous Trash Show (Format of Top Gear).
17- Paranormal Activity in Ireland.
18- Irish Litrature.
19- UFO Sightings in Ireland.
20- Multicultural show (Feat. Worldwide Cuisine)
21- Climate Change.
22- Psychics and Tarot Card Reading.
23- Astrology in Ireland.
24- Themed Review Show.
25- Insight into Cruelty Towards Children.
26- Beaches of Dublin.
27- Cult Religion.
28. Job Seekers Show.
29. Colaiste Dhulaigh Courses (and where you can go with the degrees).
30. Animal Shelters/Cruelty
31. The Freshers Guide to College.
32. Animation in Ireland.
33. Changes in Dublin over the Decades.
34. Welcome to “Coolock”.
35. Tourists Guide to Dublin.
36. Discover Hidden Dublin.
37. Urban Exploration (Abandoned Houses and Derelict Buldings).
38. Conspiracy Theories.
39. What is Piracy, and am I a Pirate?
40. Irish Bikers.
41. The 17A from Killbarrack to Blanch.
42. Hopes and Dreams of Irelands Youth.
43. The Unholy Cost of a Wedding.
44.Traveller Communities in Dublin.
45. Con Artists and Pick Pockets.
46. Crime in our City.
47. The Bull Island Nature Reserve.
48. Drug use and Young People.
49. Homosexuality.
50. Teenage Mothers in Ireland.
51. Dental Care in Dublin.
52. Primary Production in Ireland (Forestry, Fishing, Farming and Mining)
53. My Therapist the Taxi Driver/ Hairdresser.
54. Dublins Pubs and Bars.
55. Politics for the Younger Generation.
56. Travelling from the Country for College.
57. Internet Relationships.
58. Russian/Thai Brides in Ireland.
59. Strange Bodies.
60. The Brain Drain of Irish Youth (Unable to clothed and feed themselves).
61. Cross Border Shopping.
62. Death by Alcohol.
63. Irish Perception of Branding.

Coming to the end…

So, it’s the end of my Summer in Boston. Sadface :( It’s been an amazing two months… from getting fired, getting chased by a Chinese guy for not paying him for food, watching my housemates play endless games of beer pong, getting a museum internship, taking millions of photographs, visiting as many museums as possible, endless trips to 7-11 & Dunkin Donuts (they must know us at this stage…), reading a million books, being kept awake by our “lovely” neighbour who sang into the wee hours, endless trips to Target for food and last but not least, the beer pong leader-board! It’s been an amazing summer, gonna miss it so much…. <3

Major upload to Flickr

Had a load of photographs just sitting on my hard-drive that I needed to upload to Flickr and I’m not back in work til Wednesday so I thought I might as well. They’re shoots from February and March of this year with my friend Sarah. Most turned out the way I wanted, so I’m happy with both of them. Had a photo-shoot with Conor & Tara a few weeks ago, which was great seeing as I hadn’t had a proper shoot in so long. Not since college, which is terrible, I know. So tomorrow, I’m gonna go to Harvard and take as many photos as I can. Just spend the day & take photos. Probably need to do that. I feel like I’m stuck in a creative rut at the moment. Bought a good scrapbook the other day. I’m going to start photo-journaling with the prints from the Lomography film I bought last week. It’s redscale! :D I need to start writing again too… I don’t know why I haven’t in so long… probably because of that horrible creative rut. Silly dry spots for creating… >.< Meanwhile, I’m learing a load in my gallery internship. Like, how to use archive tape instead of Pritt stick to stick photos down because archive tape is non-acidic & Pritt stick isn’t. I’ll be sad to go home. Missing my boyfriend terribly though… just three more weeks….

.

Home in a month… craziness. Still haven’t been paid for my collections internship yet, he said he’d give me $50, which isn’t nearly as much as I thought he’d give me for three weeks work, but I can’t really ask him for more money. All I do is sit & get to look at photos all day! :D Photo-wise, all of the photos I’ve been taking are of beer pong & drinking in the house, which is pretty much all we do here. I’m off work til Monday so I’m gonna go somewhere & take photos… There’s major drama going on at the moment, which I don’t even want to be involved with but am anyway. But that’s pretty much sorted out anyway. Looking at doing an internship with the Photographic Resource Centre in Boston University, or Aperture or Magnum… choices choices choices! :D Currently downloading my Facebook information, which gives you everything you’ve ever put on Facebook in ZIP file… it’s been downloading the last ten minutes… scary as hell… Not putting ANYTHING up on Facebook again!