[color:"orange"]If you drew a 'pie chart' of attitudes to gays I suspect that you would find a large section of opinion that was still actively opposed, another large section that represented either tolerance or indifference, and a pretty small piece that denoted real respect.[/color]
Which leads me to the question, why is it so - and where in history did that develop? As it has not always been so at all.
The Greeks, revered fathers of democracy, believed very strongly in the spiritual bond between gay (men!). They respected and encouraged it to an extent that it was regarded "weird" and inferior, if any one man had none. No young man, who wanted him to be his mentor? No warrior willing to give his life for him in battle (the 10.000 "immmortals" of Thebes, famous fighting corps of gay couples - ultimately slaughtered to the last man by Alexander). There was respect then.
Jesus Christ, as a historically existent figure, grew up in a Jewish tribe, within a monotheistic religion, governed my a foreign power with a polytheistic society, in which the old Greeks (that are now the ancient Greeks to us) were to some extent idolized. Which leads me to believe, that in those times gay relationships were not unknown - but possibly not worth mentioning as extraordinary, or something to fear or in need to be changed.
Maybe, the devil's advocate is not all wrong?
In times of crisis it is of the utmost importance not to lose your head (Marie Antoinette)
