It's time for people to stop using the bible as an excuse for bigotry. Bigotry and Hatred wrapped in Religion are still Bigotry and Hatred. Religion enables the bigoted and hateful to believe that their bigotry and hatred is virtue. Don’t make excuses for homophobia that you wouldn’t make for racism. Just imagine a Christian saying:
I have a deep conviction in the authority of the Bible. And the Bible clearly approves of slavery, and in fact commands it in some cases (Exodus 22:3; Deuteronomy 20:10-11, 14). Furthermore, I belive, based on Genesis 9:25-27, that the descendants of Ham are to be the slaves of the descendants of Shem and Japheth, and after deep reflection I’ve concluded that Africans are the modern-day descendants of Ham. So please don’t call my support for enslaving Africans bigotry. It’s not. It is a working out of deep convictions.
Bigots will be just as free to hate same sex marriage when it’s legal as they did when it was not. The difference is that nobody will be legally obligated to give a crap what they think.

The scriptures can and have been used to justify genocide, slavery, apartheid, segregation, crusades, inquisitions, and many other atrocities. They are currently being used to dehumanize and demonize gay people, even though there is no rational, reasonable, or scientific reason to treat gay people differently than you would want to be treated. The only excuse for prejudice and discrimination remains in a few questionable religious texts, which have been misinterpreted and mistranslated over time, and which are contradicted by other verses including the most important one according to Jesus, namely that you love God and love others the same. Accepting alternate interpretations of those few verses that seem to condemn same sex love does not require abandoning your religious beliefs, only expanding them to include the idea that God created all things, including gay people, and He wants you to love them as you love Him, not judge and harm them.

Tom do you eat shellfish because if you do you might as well sleep with another man because you have commited as greavis a sin. The same chapter that condems homosexuality as an abomination says the same thing about shellfis. Do you ask your state reps to outlaw shellfish? Admit it it has nothing to do wit God your just a homophobe and use God as an excuse. At least be a man and admit it amd stop hiding behind god. By the way you might want to try reading the new testament Christ whould not be happy with your statments.

Sodomy in biblical times was about refusing to follow the Golden Rule. It had nothing to do with same sex relationships based on mutual love and respect.

"The primarily sexual meaning of the word sodomia for Christians did not evolve before the 6th century AD. Roman Emperor Justinian I, in his novels no. 77 (dating 538) and no. 141 (dating 559) amended to his Corpus iuris civilis, and declared that Sodom's sin had been specifically same-sex activities and desire for them. He also linked "famines, earthquakes, and pestilences" upon cities as being due to "such crimes", during a time of recent earthquakes and other disasters." (wiki)

"There are about twenty references to the story of Sodom in the Bible, and none of them says homosexuality was the sin of Sodom. One of the most extensive references to Sodom is found in Ezekiel, which says, “This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did abominable things before me; therefore I removed them when I saw it.” (Ezekiel 16:49-50) It is clear from this passage (and others like it ) that the abomination of Sodom, according to the Old Testament prophets, was that they behaved with callous indifference toward the weak and vulnerable — the poor, orphans, widows, and strangers in their midst." (wouldjesusdiscriminate.org/biblical_evidence/sodom_and_gomorrah.)

Tom, you're quoting Leviticus, not God .......When you quote me something in the Bible that God said about marriage equality or homosexuality, then you'll have my undivided attention......

What any of us do is between us and God, not between us and those who think they speak for God from their small minds. How about let’s wait and let God decide who gets in and who doesn’t. How about we give him a little credit and believe he is compassionate and does not make such decisions based on the prejudices of man.

The problem I have with the Christians is not the religion but the fact that they want everyone to be Christian. They for the most part don't seem to understand that not everybody is a Christian. I for once would like to have a discussion with them on a subject like this with out having to bring up the bible. They can't seem to figure out that saying God said so in the Bible does not convince me. You don't see other Religions coming here and saying to the Christians it has to be this way because Buda says so. Lord Shiva said it should be this way but they always have to tell you what Christ wants. The same chapter of the Bible that calls a man laying with a man an abomination also says eating shellfish in an abomination but you never see the Christians protesting in front of Red Lobster or partitioning the state house to pass a law banning calm chowder because it offends God. The thing I have found is many Christians have very little knowledge of their own bible they only know what their priest/minister tells them but few read the whole thing for themselves. I just get tired of being told I need to follow Jesus all the time.

All of the acts you have cited were initiated by the free will of humans.

It was the Pharaoh's free will that enslaved the Israelites and resulted in the plague. That was initiated by the acts of man not God. God simply dealt out the punishment.

It was David's own free will decision to listen to the temptations of Satan rather than obey God. So David caused the pestilence that killed 70,000.

There really are consequences to people's use of their free will. This is such a simple truth that many in today's society just do not get. Do something wrong and you will pay. Religions call it different things. Karma, kismit, judgement. Call it what you want. It is simply the result of humans using their free will.

Not by God.

God did give us a gift of free will which has been used in the manner you describe.

Free will of humans has also been used for incredible acts of charity and kindness.

As for Heaven and Hell... well, God also leaves that up to humans, who can use their free will to determine for themselves where they end up for eternity.

Joe these are not acts commited by man these are acts commited by god as written in the bible are you saying the bible is not the word of god.

Coretta Scott King: "Gays and lesbians stood up for civil rights in Montgomery, Selma, in Albany, Georgia, and St. Augustine, Florida, and many other campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement. Many of these courageous men and women were fighting for my freedom at a time when they could find few voices for their own, and I salute their contributions."

"I still hear people say that I should not be talking about the rights of lesbian and gay people and I should stick to the issue of racial justice... But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King, Jr., said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere' ... I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brotherhood and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people."

Julian Bond said in 2005: “Many gays, many lesbians, worked side by side with me in the civil rights movement. Am I supposed to tell them now thanks for risking their lives and their limbs to help me win my rights but that they are excluded because of the circumstances of their birth? Not a chance.”
He also said; " I think Martin King would stand as his widow stood -- in favor of them."

The March On Washington was organized by one of Dr. Kings main advisors, Bayard Rustin, who was known by Dr. King to be a gay man.

It should be clear through is work side by side with gay people, he would today, support full legal equality for all persons, as required by the constitution.

Civil Unions?

"If gay and lesbian people must submit to different treatment without an exceedingly persuasive justification, they are deprived of the benefits of the principal of equal protection upon which the rule of law is founded."
Iowa Supreme Court

"While retention of the limitation of marriage to opposite-sex couples is not needed to preserve the rights and benefits of opposite-sex couples, the exclusion of same sex couples from the designation of marriage works a real and appreciable harm upon same-sex couples and their children." (Ca Supreme Ct. in Re marriage p.117)
"The statutory provisions that continue to limit access to this designation exclusively to opposite sex couples likely will be viewed as an official statement that the family relationship of same sex couples are not of comparable stature or equal dignity to the family relationship of opposite-sex couples." (p.118 In Re Marriage)

In 2009, Julian Bond : "Black people, of all people, should not oppose equality. And that is what gay marriage represents. ... No people of good will should oppose marriage equality. And they should not think that civil unions are a substitute. At best, civil unions are separate but equal. And we all know separate is never equal."

Rev. Dr. William Barber II, North Carolina NAACP: "They're trying to give people, based on their sexuality, a kind of second- or third-class citizenship. We know what that looks like in the NAACP, and we're calling it what it is."

Rev. William Sinkford, former President, Unitarian Universalist Church: "The Unitarian Universalist Association has a long-standing and deeply held religious commitment to support full equality for gay people. We dedicate ourselves to work for justice, grounded in faith, which calls us to support everyone's full humanity, everyone's ability to love, and everyone's value in the world."

“There is a significant and growing consensus among biblical scholars about the few biblical texts that are often referenced as the basis for condemning same-gender loving people of God. Contemporary biblical scholarship argues strongly against this condemnation and finds a much more significant Gospel message that supports the inclusion of LGBT persons into the full life and mission of the church.” ( United Church of Christ.”)

(I intended to post it here, my first answer is below.) more...

Marriage is a fundamental right of the individual. No religious belief is required. Being human is the only requirement for a fundamental right.

Fundamental rights may only be delayed or restricted when a compelling and legitimate governmental interest can be demonstrated. Your belief one of each gender is required, fails the test of equal law. Gay people are getting married, and there is no legitimate governmental interest served by denial of equal treatment as required by the constitution. Your religious belief, not shared by all, fails to qualify as a rational and legitimate reason for denial of equal treatment.

"In the court’s final analysis, the government’s only basis for supporting DOMA comes down to an apparent belief that the moral views of the majority may properly be enacted as the law of the land in regard to state-sanctioned same-sex marriage in disregard of the personal status and living conditions of a significant segment of our pluralistic society. Such a view is not consistent with the evidence or the law as embodied in the Fifth Amendment with respect to the thoughts expressed in this decision. The court has no doubt about its conclusion:...DOMA deprives them of the equal protection of the law to which they are entitled."

Through most of human history and in most cultures the most widely accepted tradition of marriage has been polygamy -- one man and multiple women. We're not just talking about exotic island cultures or lost tribes in the African jungle. Polygamy is the family form most often mentioned in the first five books of the Old Testament. For the first 16 centuries of its existence, the Catholic Church held that marriage was inherently tainted by what Pope Gregory the Great deemed the degrading "carnal pleasure" that took place under its auspices. The church decided that a man and woman were married if they had exchanged "words of consent," even if they had done so out by the haystack, without any witnesses or involvement by a priest. Not until 1215 did the Catholic Church make marriage a sacrament, and not until 1563 did it begin to enforce rules mandating that certain ceremonies had to be performed to make a marriage legitimate. Sixteenth-century Protestant reformers had a much more positive marriage a sacrament, and not until 1563 did it begin to enforce rules mandating that certain ceremonies had to be performed to make a marriage attitude toward the blessedness of marriage than Catholics.

But Protestant clerics were stricter than Catholics in enforcing the tradition that marriage should be governed by considerations of patriarchal authority and property rather than free choice based on love. In many Protestant regions, authorities forbade impoverished individuals from marrying at all. And Protestant officials often stepped in to dissolve marriages that had been made without parental consent, even if both parties were adult and children had already been born to their union. Most of the "traditions" we associate with marriage are in fact comparatively new. It was only two centuries ago that people began to marry for love rather than for mercenary or practical considerations. Only 130 years ago did men start to lose their legal right to physically beat or imprison their wives. And only in the past 40 years have we established the principle that within a marriage wives and husbands have equal rights in decision-making. Not until 1979 did the last American state finally repeal its "Head and Master" law, which had given husbands the final say over many aspects of family life.

Not until 1993 did marital rape become a crime in every state, overturning the millennia-old tradition that a wife was obligated to have sex with her husband whenever he demanded it. Trying to revert to antiquated and unfair traditions is not the answer. We need to figure out how to build on the opportunities and minimize the risks associated with the ongoing modernization of marriage. It helps no one to wage futile culture wars to return to a tradition that wasn't half as clear-cut or advantageous as many people believe.

Civil Unions, a so called "compromise" may seem reasonable to those not affected. But in this "compromise", only the legal rights of gay people are compromised. They forfeit equality, while the straight majority lose nothing, and would also lose no legal rights by granting full marriage equality.

The Supreme Court ruled on the matter of "separate but equal" in the 1954 case Brown v. Board of Education. The court recognized that "separate but equal" opportunities created a feeling of inferiority for the minorities being segregated, and that this feeling of segregation could cause permanent emotional injury.

Court quotes above expand on why separate can never be equal. Separate is different, and will always be seen as inferior.

Dr. Chris Beyrer, Johns Hopkins Center for Public Health and Human Rights, testified denying same sex couples the right to marry harms community health: ``We know for certain that lesbian and gay individuals suffer harm to their physical and psychological health, and to their relationships and quality of life, as result of the shame, isolation and stigma accrued from their social and legal disenfranchisement.

Your belief being gay is prohibited is not shared by all religious scholars, leaders, or believers. Many understand the few verses you use to justify harming gay people through denial of equal rights, have been mistranslated and misinterpreted. But even if you must believe sexual orientation is a sin, remember we don't use the law to punish others you believe are sinners, unless we can show they are harming others needlessly. Sexual orientation is a fact of life. It does not harm anyone. Marriage also is not inherently harmful. Allowing same sex couples to participate fully under the laws currently in effect harms no on.

"What the Bible forbids is acts of lust, rape, idolatry, violation of religious purity obligations, or pederasty, but no condemnation of homosexuality in relationships of mutual respect and love. "On the other hand, the Bible pointedly celebrates instances of same-sex emotional intimacy, a fact often overlooked by fearful homophobic readers." James B. Nelson, Professor of Christian Ethics, United Theological Seminary

Yes, even Leviticus, which no one attempts to follow completely, is out of context and misinterpreted as well as mistranslated. It prohibited pagan ritual sex, and martial infidelity, not same sex relationships based on mutual love and respect.

You demonstrate no harm from treating gay people as you do yourself under the law.

While your list includes privileges, not fundamental civil rights, we know drunk driving, speeding, not stopping at stop signs, etc, do in fact cause harm.

The laws of nature show us being gay is a part of nature:
“Research over several decades has demonstrated that sexual orientation ranges along a continuum, from exclusive attraction to the other sex to exclusive attraction to the same sex. Despite the persistence of stereotypes that portray lesbian, gay, and bisexual people as disturbed, several decades of research and clinical experience have led all mainstream medical and mental health organizations in this country to conclude that these orientations represent normal forms of human experience. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual relationships are normal forms of human bonding.” (APA)

While there are various explanations of natural law, one of the tenants that appears throughout the various versions, is the ethic of reciprocity and equality. That "no man require to reserve to himself any right, which he is not content should be reserved to every one of the rest".

Equal treatment under the law harms no one.

No matter what you call it, refusing to treat others as you would yourself under the law, fulfills the definitions of prejudice and discrimination.

I am not here for myself. I am here trying to persuade others that use of the law to deny equal treatment results in real harm to real people. I have seen the harmful and deadly effects of prejudice both personally and professionally.

The vast body of evidence since the early days of social science shows prejudice and discrimination cause harm in a wide variety of ways. Laws that deny equality stigmatize. The resulting dehumanization and demonization is used to justify their behavior by those who bully, beat, torture, and kill. It also results in self destruction, both fast and slow. The same prejudice used to dehumanize us here is also used around the world to justify imprisonment, torture, and death.

The only way to end prejudice is to expose it and the harm it causes, anywhere and everywhere it surfaces. Prejudice is deadly, and can only be cured through education and understanding. Let's remember Jesus told us the most important thing we need to know is; we should love God and love others the same. All other religions and non-religious ethical belief systems agree with the Golden Rule. Now is the time to put it into practice. Love and equal rights are healthy, while prejudice and dsicrimination cause needless suffering and death.

You fail to show any misquotes.

Your belief committed same sex relationships based on mutual love and respect are a sin, is your interpretation of scripture. Others interpret those few verses differently. Yet you are willing to use your interpretation to use the law to harm others by refusing to treat them as you would yourself. Many understand this as a violation of the Golden Rule.

Matthew 7:12,: So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Galatians 5:14: The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

James 2-8 But if you keep the greatest law of all, as it is given in the holy Writings, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself, you do well:

Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."

Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

This is your interpretation of scripture, which allows you to harm others and ignore the Golden Rule.

It is your judgement that condemns relationships based on mutual love and respect, as sinful. Yet many understand those few verses used to condemn love were instead addressing abusive relationships based on lust and self gratification using temple prostitutes, including pagan ritual orgies.

While free to believe what you choose, your choice of interpretation causes real harm to real people. Many agree interpretations that promote harming others needlessly are inconsistent with Jesus' message of treating others as He did us.

And this is why we have a constitution that required equal treatment for all persons, rather than relying on various biblical interpretations for our laws.

The lifestyle condemned at the time of Sodom, was harming others needlessly by refusing to treat them as you would yourself.

It is irrational to believe every man in Sodom, young and old, from every quarter, was gay. They did not go to Lot's seeking to form a committed relationship based on mutual love and respect. They were there either to interrogate them or to rape them, depending on your choice of interpretation. Either way, they were not interested in a relationship based on love and respect.

The word "homosexual" wasn't even invented till 1869. When you see it in your bible, you should recognize it as a mistranslation and misinterpretation as it has been handed down over time. "The original Greek word often quoted as sexual immorality, Paul used was "porneia" which means "a harlot for hire"." (Rev. Dr. Mel White) This has nothing to do with a committed relationship based on mutual love and respect.

"There are about twenty references to the story of Sodom in the Bible, and none of them says homosexuality was the sin of Sodom. One of the most extensive references to Sodom is found in Ezekiel, which says, “This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did abominable things before me; therefore I removed them when I saw it.” (Ezekiel 16:49-50) (wouldjesusdiscriminate.org)

The use of the story of Sodom to label a sex act is a good example of a misinterpretation and misapplication of biblical verses to demonize and dehumanize, ignoring the original message of the story, which was that you should treat others as you would yourslef. How do you treat the stranger at the gate...

"The primarily sexual meaning of the word sodomia for Christians did not evolve before the 6th century AD. Roman Emperor Justinian I, in his novels no. 77 (dating 538) and no. 141 (dating 559) amended to his Corpus iuris civilis, and declared that Sodom's sin had been specifically same-sex activities and desire for them. He also linked "famines, earthquakes, and pestilences" upon cities as being due to "such crimes", during a time of recent earthquakes and other disasters." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodomy

Sin of Sodom http://www.iwgonline.org/docs/sodom.html

"Jesus and five Old Testament prophets all speak of the sins that led to the destruction of Sodom -- and not one of them mentions homosexuality. Even Billy Graham doesn't mention homosexuality when he preaches on Sodom."

"Ezekiel 16:48-49 tell us: "This is the sin of Sodom; she and her suburbs had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not help or encourage the poor and needy. They were arrogant and this was abominable in God's eyes."

"It was common for soldiers, thieves, and bullies to rape a fallen enemy, asserting their victory by dehumanizing and demeaning the vanquished. This act of raping an enemy is about power and revenge,"

And it still happens today, most notoriously in prisons. It is not about love. It is about power, control, domination, and abuse. Rape is not love.

"The sexual act that occurs in the story of Sodom is a gang rape -- and homosexuals oppose gang rape as much as anyone. That's why I believe the story of Sodom says a lot about God's will for each of us, but nothing about homosexuality as we understand it today." ( quotes from: What the Bible says - and doesn't say - about Homosexuality)

Even the English versions of this story demonstrate there was nothing that can be honestly used to condemn gay people. Many other explanations including the Jewish versions of the this story agree the message is that you should not harm others but instead, treat them with love.

"In Sodom every one who gave bread and water to the poor was condemned to death by fire (Yalḳ., Gen. 83). Two girls, one poor and the other rich, went to a well; and the former gave the latter her jug of water, receiving in return a vessel containing bread. When this became known, both were burned alive."
http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/13827-sodom

So when you see verses that refer to Sodomites, they are addressing those who harm others needlessly, not same sex relationships based on mutual love and respect.

And yet many are quick to claim Jesus condemned same sex relationships and use that assumption to justify causing suffering and death in His name, even though Jesus never condemned relationships based on mutual love and respect.

Matthew 19:8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

"According to Jesus, born eunuchs are exempt from the Adam and Eve style heterosexual marriage paradigm.

Eunuchs so born from their mother’s womb. These eunuchs, according to Jesus, were born that way. They did not make a personal choice to be eunuchs and they were not physically castrated by men. Some Christians believe these men were homosexual eunuchs." http://www.gaychristian101.com/Homosexual-Eunuchs.html

It is your judgement that God made a mistake.

Gay people have always existed across time and place. Many believe God made everything, including gay people. Jesus recognized not all were made for opposite sex marriage. While many use Matthew 19 to support their condemnation of gay people, they ignore the verses after #7.

The condemnations you find in the bible are a result of misinterpretation and mistranslation, and your own prejudice when you read them. Again, "What the Bible forbids is acts of lust, rape, idolatry, violation of religious purity obligations, or pederasty, but no condemnation of homosexuality in relationships of mutual respect and love." (Dr. Nelson)

While you might not find the word "tolerance" in the bible, Jesus repeatedly instructed us to treat others as He would treat us. The Golden Rule, is repeated many times. John 13:34: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Sexual orientation is not a lifestyle. It may or may not be expressed in a wide variety of lifestyles, but the enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and physical attraction that makes up sexual orientation, is not a lifestyle. Even chaste people have a sexual orientation. While chastity is a lifestyle choice, orientation is neither.

This passage condemns worshiping idols. You must add your own interpretation to find a justification for condemning relationships based on mutual love and respect.

Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

John 15:17: This is my command: Love each other.

Again, this is your chosen translation, which ignores 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

"According to Jesus, born eunuchs are exempt from the Adam and Eve style heterosexual marriage paradigm.

Eunuchs so born from their mother’s womb. These eunuchs, according to Jesus, were born that way. They did not make a personal choice to be eunuchs and they were not physically castrated by men." Some Christians believe these men were gay.

Your chosen translation allows you to harm others. This one is consistent with the message to treat others as you would yourself.

Here again, your choice of belief allows you to harm others by ignoring the Golden Rule.

Attempts to change sexual orientation have been shown to be ineffective as well as harmful. When people buy the prejudice you promote, and eventually realize they cannot "pray away the gay", many are driven to despair and self destructive behavior including suicide.

At best, immersion in a religious based program relying on shame and guilt, only temporarily allows gay people to suppress their orientation. Eventually it comes out, and often in destructive ways for both themselves and those around them. I know this from personal experience, the experiences of many I know, as well as education and professional experience.

Chastity is not a natural or realistic requirement, and change of sexual orientation is unrealistic if not impossible.

The commandments of god only apply to his chosen people and not to anyone else.

Suffering and death are the extreme results of the belief being gay is not acceptable and we must change to heterosexual or live a life of chastity and denial of our humanity.

Not all Christian groups judge and condemn, and some accept gay people as we are without condition. But those who demonize and punish us are killing us, and many of us reach a point where we decide to fight back rather than kill ourselves or accept dehumanization quietly. Unless we accept punishment and dehumanization as a way of life, we have no choice but to challenge and oppose prejudice no matter where is comes from, and whether it is mild or extreme.

Decades of history, literature, and science, in addition to trial records of many different courts have all clearly demonstrated: Prejudice and discrimination cause suffering and death.

The God of the Bible is completely irrelevant. For arguments sake, let’s assume that the Christians are right and that all people who have ever lived will be before the judgement seat of god. A simple bit of logic shows how the judgement doled out there is completely irrelevant. God is perfect. God created all people with the abilities and situations to be who they are. If God is perfect, then perfect judgement would take into account every single detail of a person’s being, including the ability god gave that person to make all decisions. Thus, perfect judgement from a perfect creator would indicate that ALL people would have to receive the same judgement. All things being equal, all things are equal.