:) Yup, I completely disagree with that. See, even if you think that there is no basis to judge on sexual orientation, it doesn't mean that the father in this story was being hurtful with no reason. He had reason, but just not one you consider valid. It's not the same as "I want to beat you just because you're a kid". :3 That case is absence of reason, the other is presence of reason, be it valid or invalid.

I know this is a tough topic, but smileys can be useful to lighten the mood a little.

Tell me, what are your thoughts on Iran's law of Apostasy (that is, those who choose to leave the Islamic religion)? Is there reason to that? Is it valid or invalid?

And before you tell me that it's a harsh comparison, keep in mind that there have been many disowned kids who have decided that death is more of a comfort than the sheer agony of being harshly torn from the people that they considered would love them unconditionally.

Actually, I think AIDS is more likely to be spread through unprotected anal sex than unprotected vaginal sex due to the potential for bleeding and the way the fluids enter the body. 

That's not based on sexual preference. 

What about hetero women who prefer anal over vaginal? What about homosexuals who do not wish to engage in such an act?

This letter is actually full of love rather than hate, but most of you are too shallow to understand this. The father clearly has different values than the majority of the people posting here. According to the letter the father is a God fearing man, and he places his religious beliefs over all else. He loves his son because the father believes that his son's homosexuality will prevent the son from entering "paradise."

The anti-gay crowd never ceases in their ability to impress me with their shallow, callous, short-sighted behavior.

Well, it actually kind of is linked to sexual preference.  A woman who likes other women has a 0% chance of contracting aids through anal sex :).  I'm sure if we pulled up the statistics, we would find that gay men are significantly more likely to engage in anal sex than heterosexual couples. There are simply less options for them.

This man is definitely going to Heaven. He's lucky God sent him this test to prove his love.

Nothin' says "I love you too much, son" than wiping your hands clean, cutting him off, and breaking his heart completely.

Another victory for God.

So what part of "I don't ever want any communication from you again" bleeds "I love you?"

If the father made a compromise and said "I love you, but I/god disagree with your lifestyle", then I would agree with you.

However, this father chose to wager his unconditional love for his son in an attempt to persuade him into something the father believes.

I thought Christians were all about God giving them free will. Where did they all of a sudden mention that they're a slave to their parents' beliefs?

@prof. Can you be 1) less ambiguous, 2) less insulting, and 3) actually participate and try to dialogue for a change. Guys, this isn't parliament (or senate or whatever you guys call it). We're here to talk not judge each other.

I disagree with it, because I don't see the conviction I see in this letter. First of all laws are different than choices, secondly laws are punisheable by consequences. The father's decision was an act of free will...

So it's kind of different.