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This digital document is an article from The Architectural Review, published by EMAP Architecture on May 1, 2010. The length of the article is 685 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: Setting the world to rights at MIPIM with a debate about smarter building.(AR/PROTEK EVENT)
Author: Rory Olcayto
Publication: The Architectural Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2010
Publisher: EMAP Architecture
Volume: 227Issue: 1359Page: 38(1)

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Writing with Christian perspective and empathy, Schmidt addresses all the main points of the current debate--what the Bible really says and means about homosexuality; the health effects of homosexual behavior; whether or not people are born with homosexual orientations; and the cogency of recent progay reconstructions of history. This book is the most comprehensive, persuasive and readable Christian book on the subject. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Another Wolf In Sheep's Clothing
At the end of the book, after completely ignoring the most relevant Gospel teachings of Jesus (about not judging others etc.) and using the few scriptures found elsewhere to condemn gays and lesbians (and smugly dismissing any other interpretations as being the work of "revisionists"), and while even presuming to know more about homosexual orientation than the scientists in the field, Renaissance author Thomas Schmidt, in a section entitled "Postscript: A Letter To a Friend," demonstrated his `compassionate conservative' side by comparing homosexuals to somebody that he actually knew - a lonely, bedridden old woman who was blind and deformed by cancerous tumors and who, in his words, "took 28 years to die."

His point being that we all have certain burdens in life, and though remaining chaste and alone may be a tough row for homosexuals to hoe, it's better than falling into the `homosexual lifestyle' and ending up in hell.

Schmidt confidentially pointed out in his letter how he was always being tempted by all the gorgeous women on TV, but being a married man, he couldn't hook up with them either, "so perhaps that evens the playing field of temptation a bit." Really? The burden he expects homosexuals to carry is to go through life alone and as a virtual eunuchs, while his burden is to sleep with his wife every night.

Admittedly, it was a very confusing letter, and I pity any gay man or lesbian woman trying to make heads or tails of it. Perhaps to avoid the extra postage, he'd left out a more cogent explanation. Though it aptly demonstrated the depth of hypocrisy on the part of those who, like Mr. Schmidt, presume to lay such onerous burdens on homosexuals.

Like Mr. Schmidt, many Christians like to fake compassion. They have no idea how they are destroying other people's lives, nor do they care in the least. It's just their way of paying lip service to the teachings of Jesus.

The problem with homophobic theologians telling homosexuals what is God's will is that they need to have the resume that backs up their sanctimonious proclamations. That doesn't mean how many diplomas they have hung on the wall or how many books they've sold - it means a demonstrated willingness to carry the same burden they presume to put upon others. What separates a man or woman of God from all the smug religious hypocrites on the best-sellers list is that the former would never demand more from others than they are already doing themselves.

Certainly there will always be people like the old woman Mr. Schmidt was referring to - the one with cancerous bedsores who "took 28 years to die." The difference is that the bedsores weren't put there by Mr. Schmidt's homophobic pronouncements and misinterpretations of scripture. If they had been, that poor old woman might have been miraculously cured by simply tossing his book into the garbage where it belonged, like I did. Hallelujah!

Rethinking Homosexuality and Christianity
Schmidt, Thomas E. "Straight and Narrow?: Compassion ad Clarity in the Homosexual Debate", InterVaristy Press, 1995.

Rethinking Homosexuality and Christianity

Amos Lassen

Even though "Straight and Narrow?" was written in 1995, it is thorough look at what is predominant in the evangelical Christian look at homosexuality. Thomas Schmidt looks more at Bible studies, medicine, and developmental psychology than theology and provides some new thoughts on why the church should accept homosexuality. Schmidt is clear and concise in presenting his arguments and his book is written from the Christian perspective. He concentrates on these main points:
1. what the Bible really says about homosexuality and what that means
2. are people born as homosexuals or is it learned behavior?--the nature vs. nurture theory.
3. health and homosexuality.
4. popular reconstructions of American history.

Schmidt looks at political correctness but since this book is written from the Christian point of view, non-Christians will probably have a hard time with it. He gives excellent summaries of the traditional Christian position against gays and supplies evidence which is not only Biblical but scientific that male homosexuality contains both morally unacceptable and pathological elements. He further maintains that the Christian view and tradition is truthful and honest but he maintains that Christianity could very well lose the battle on the gay issue.
The book is powerful and highly charged. There are accusations of self-delusion, fear, and bigotry and basically Schmidt maintains that homosexuality is wrong due to medical reasons and not homophobia and the church. Whether we agree or not, Schmidt presents his arguments in a scholarly and compassionate way. He looks at homosexuals as human beings (and there is question on this) and totally discounts the church's ideas that we should be eliminated from the face of the earth. He tells us that all people deserve love and should have it from everyone. Schmidt provides no justification for homosexuality but he stresses the fact that we need to be recognized.

Great Insight with Credible References
This book changed my life. After reading other pro-gay theology books I looked high and low for a one stop shop book that would take what pro-gay theology said and would adequately argue the other side of it. This book is awesome at doing just that. It is an easy read with very applicable subject matter. I struggled with homosexuality and, after reading this book, prayer and a lot of work I finally found the truth for my life.

Focus for Christians
Although this book is not particularly new, it provides much needed reminders for the Christian community. Thomas Schmidt provides a refocusing for Christians who all too often tend to point the finger and engage in a negative attack on homosexuality. While Schmidt does not provide any justification for homosexuality he is quite clear that Christians must recognize homosexuals as unrighteous individuals in need of Christ's covering blood in just the same way as the Christian. This book is factual and is a read that would benefit many Christians. As we seek to become Christ-like, we cannot reconcile an attitude reminiscent of the Pharisees with that desired transformation but we must be able to stand strong in what is true. Excellent focus on the compassion we must have while maintaining the clarity needed on the truth.

Worth Reading
This is a very well-written book, but admittedly from a Christian point of view. So if you're not a Christian, you may not be able to relate to some of what the author is saying. Nevertheless, I felt it was worth reading, particularly for two chapters: "The Price of Love" and "The Great Nature-Nurture Debate." "The Price of Love" marshals a tremendous amount of statistics that present a striking contrast to our popular culture's generally affirming view of homosexuality. Specifically, it indicates that many homosexual men have many, many more partners than anybody else (including gay women). It also indicates that, at least as of the 1970's, most gay relationships did not last longer than a few years. In other words, there really is a different set of behavior patterns in the homosexual community. Also, the author highlights the health risks inherent in this lifestyle, particularly for men. In "The Great Nature-Nuture Debate," the author shows how homosexuals are probably not just "born that way," but there are a whole variety of factors that contribute to homosexuality -- biology, family situation, culture, experience, etc. -- and that these factors vary from person to person. His theory of social constructionism is particularly interesting and should be paid heed to -- that the way people understand themselves (in this case sexually) often comes from the culture that they're living in. These two chapters should be read by everybody. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Community College Week, published by Cox, Matthews & Associates on June 21, 2004. The length of the article is 563 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: SUNY debates standardized tests.
Publication: Community College Week (Newspaper)
Date: June 21, 2004
Publisher: Cox, Matthews & Associates
Volume: 16Issue: 23Page: 23(1)

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This digital document is an article from Canada and the World Backgrounder, published by Taylor Publishing Consultants Ltd. on September 1, 1997. The length of the article is 1502 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: Political theatre.(Parliamentary Question Period in Canada)
Publication: Canada and the World Backgrounder (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 1, 1997
Publisher: Taylor Publishing Consultants Ltd.
Volume: v63Issue: n1Page: p18(3)

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This digital document is an article from National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management, published by The National Underwriter Company on December 17, 2001. The length of the article is 795 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: MGA, TPA Model Laws Under Debate. (Report From NAIC).(managing general agent, third-party administrator)(Brief Article)
Author: E.E. Mazier
Publication: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 17, 2001
Publisher: The National Underwriter Company
Volume: 105Issue: 51Page: 15(2)

Article Type: Brief Article

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This digital document is an article from National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management, published by The National Underwriter Company on December 10, 2001. The length of the article is 1180 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: Montana Fundraising Letter Spurs Ethics Debate. (Regulation).
Author: Jim Connolly
Publication: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 10, 2001
Publisher: The National Underwriter Company
Volume: 105Issue: 50Page: 22(2)

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This digital document is an article from National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management, published by The National Underwriter Company on May 1, 2000. The length of the article is 825 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: Regulatory Debate Revisited.(Brief Article)
Author: Amanda Levin
Publication: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2000
Publisher: The National Underwriter Company
Volume: 104Issue: 18Page: 2

Article Type: Brief Article

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This digital document is an article from National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management, published by The National Underwriter Company on March 20, 1995. The length of the article is 517 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: Insurance groups are hopeful that legislation to be proposed by House Commerce Committee Chmn Thomas Bliley will put a final end to a growing momentum to allow banks to sell insurance. A recent court decision concerning Barnett Bank held that the National Bank Act does not preclude banks from abiding by state insurance regulations when selling insurance products. The Bliley bill would require that any entity selling insurance in a state conform to all state insurance regulations. Representatives from the banking industry, for their part, are confident that the bill can be defeated, on the grounds that it is anti-modernization.

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Title: Agents reach 'defining moment' in bank debate.(ability of banks to sell insurance)
Author: Steven Brostoff
Publication: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 20, 1995
Publisher: The National Underwriter Company
Issue: n12Page: p7(1)

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This digital document is an article from Family Practice News, published by International Medical News Group on September 15, 2003. The length of the article is 895 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: Group tries to reignite debate on single-payer plan: nearly 8,000 physicians sign on: critics say the U.S. 'would be trading one problem for a whole set of others.'.
Author: Joyce Frieden
Publication: Family Practice News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 15, 2003
Publisher: International Medical News Group
Volume: 33Issue: 18Page: 1(2)

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This digital document is an article from Physician Executive, published by American College of Physician Executives on May 1, 2003. The length of the article is 1288 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: Covering the uninsured: the debate returns. (Health Policy Update).
Author: Georges C. Benjamin
Publication: Physician Executive (Refereed)
Date: May 1, 2003
Publisher: American College of Physician Executives
Volume: 29Issue: 3Page: 62(2)

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This digital document is an article from National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management, published by The National Underwriter Company on March 30, 1992. The length of the article is 6561 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: Agents gain in intangible tax debate.
Author: Steven Brostoff
Publication: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 30, 1992
Publisher: The National Underwriter Company
Issue: n13Page: p4(2)

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This digital document is an article from National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management, published by The National Underwriter Company on July 16, 2001. The length of the article is 542 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: ACLI Losing Credibility In State Regulatory Debate.(American Council of Life Insurers )(Brief Article)(Editorial)
Publication: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 16, 2001
Publisher: The National Underwriter Company
Volume: 105Issue: 29Page: 28

Article Type: Brief Article, Editorial

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This digital document is an article from State Legislatures, published by National Conference of State Legislatures on April 1, 2004. The length of the article is 1163 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: State of the unions: the debate to define marriage is raging around the country in the wake of Massachusetts' court decision.
Author: Christi Goodman
Publication: State Legislatures (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 1, 2004
Publisher: National Conference of State Legislatures
Volume: 30Issue: 4Page: 26(2)

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This digital document is an article from National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management, published by The National Underwriter Company on June 17, 2002. The length of the article is 1184 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: Insurance industry split in federal charter debate. (Washington Update).(Brief Article)
Author: Steven Brostoff
Publication: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 17, 2002
Publisher: The National Underwriter Company
Volume: 106Issue: 24Page: 5(2)

Article Type: Brief Article

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This digital document is an article from State Legislatures, published by National Conference of State Legislatures on December 1, 2002. The length of the article is 516 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: Debate arises over insurer use of credit scores. (On First Reading).(Brief Article)
Publication: State Legislatures (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 2002
Publisher: National Conference of State Legislatures
Volume: 28Issue: 10Page: 9(1)

Article Type: Brief Article

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This digital document is an article from National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management, published by The National Underwriter Company on June 17, 1996. The length of the article is 723 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: New York State Sen. Guy J. Velella's insurance deregulation bill is enthusiastically supported by insurance brokers for they believe it would result in the repatriation of much offshore business. Velella's bill would deregulate commercial insurance transactions between large buyers and sellers through the vehicle of a new type of insurance company that can underwrite large, complex insurance policies. The new type of insurer would be exempt from most regulations except for those connected with solvency and with placing coverage with unauthorized companies.

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Title: N.Y. debates deregulation bill.(New York State)
Author: Angela Calise Dauer
Publication: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 17, 1996
Publisher: The National Underwriter Company
Issue: n25Page: p1(2)

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This digital document is an article from Wind Speaker, published by Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta (AMMSA) on December 1, 2002. The length of the article is 930 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: Let's debate. (Advertising space paid for and text provided by The O.I. Group of Companies).(First Nations Fiscal and Statistical Institutions Act)
Author: Lazare Dr. Fred
Publication: Wind Speaker (Newsletter)
Date: December 1, 2002
Publisher: Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta (AMMSA)
Volume: 20Issue: 8Page: 15B(1)

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This digital document is an article from National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management, published by The National Underwriter Company on August 22, 1994. The length of the article is 771 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: The new proposal for funding the Environmental Insurance Resolution Fund is a combination of a retrospective and a prospective tax, rather than the retrospective tax previously proposed. The insurance industry is divided upon the new compromise proposal. Three insurers have come out in support of the proposal, including the American Insurance Assn, American International Group and Lloyd's of London executives. The rest are opposed to it.

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Title: Sparks fly in Superfund tax debate.
Author: Steven Brostoff
Publication: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 22, 1994
Publisher: The National Underwriter Company
Issue: n34Page: p1(2)

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