Manhattan Declaration addresses signers on Apple pulling iPhone app

Comments  63

• Isaac 30 Nov

  Good job, Manhattan Declaration!
  
  Everyone should contact Apple to register their complaints over the censorship of free speech and discourse on such an important topic.
  And where is the petition we can sign to get the app back on Apple?!
  
  I hope Apple realizes that standing FOR marriage (between one man and one woman) is not being anti-gay.

• Isaac 30 Nov

  Call Apple's public relations line at: 408-974-2042

• Jeff 30 Nov

  Gosh, I'm glad I found this out because I was planning on getting an iPhone in December.  This action will cause me to rethink that decision.  Thanks Mr. Jobs.
  
  jcb

• Hacking for Christ 01 Dec

  Another example, if another were needed, of why walled garden software ecosystems are a bad idea, and how the controllers of those ecosystems can use that control to promote their social and political views to the detriment of their customers. Whether you agree with the Manhattan Declaration or not (it's a statement defending traditional marriage, the sanctity of human life, and religious liberty), it's not right that Apple, or any company, should be able to say whether or not you should have their app on your mobile phone, just as it's not right that they should be able to say whether or not you should have their app on your desktop computer....

• Connie Hestily 02 Dec

  I can't believe that Apple is so weak that they try to promote and control the social and political views of the left.  What about the scantity of traditional marriage, the scantity of life and religious liberty.  I will no longer use my money to purchase anything from apple.

• Reason 02 Dec

  It's Apple's store. They can accept or reject anything they'd like. However, their stated position on this issue is untenable. If they remove programs that "offend large groups of people" then I have a list they should look at.  
  
  No product has a "right" to be distributed on the App Store. It's important not to try to assert such a right. You'll just be seen as irrational.
  
  On the other hand, it's interesting when a group that is trying to gain acceptance of a controversial position chooses to use censorship to shut off speech that opposes it. Would it not be better to have a reasoned discussion in which the other side posts its "manifesto" calling for free love between men and men, women and women, men and animals, inanimate objects and small children, and whatever other combinations it desires? Squelching your opponent's speech doesn't make you right. However, presenting both sides and allowing a reader to decide who they agree with is unarguably right.

• Oh come on 02 Dec

  The answer is really very simple. Go buy an Android or Windows 7 phone and put what you like on it - I'll wait. We won't miss you. 

• June Wilson 02 Dec

  Those promoting tolerance are always  the most intolerant. Liberalism is totalitarianism.

• Who signs up for this?? 02 Dec

  I can't believe people choose to buy Apple products when they do this to their customers! It's like saying "Here's $300.00, now slap me in the face." Anyone who chooses to go with Apple over a more viable and acceptable solution like Android tablets and phones is an idiot.. Apple is not our government, believe it or not, you get to CHOOSE what you buy. I've read about Apple for YEARS about their business decisions, and I have NEVER agreed with them. Sure, their products seem to be alright, but their business morale sucks! It will be a cold day in hell before Steve Jobs gets a single cent from me..

• Don Guillermo 03 Dec

  Apparently Orwell's 1984 has arrived, albeit 26 years late.  This is totalitarianism.  Very well.  Apple's profits will now be less than they would have been had Apple not yielded to anti-Christian, tyrannical pro-aborts and homosexualists.  If the Manhattan Declaration application is not restored to Apple's iPhone/iPad, orthodox Christians will simply boycott Apple's products.  I dare say that we rather outnumber the poor, deluded souls with whom Apple has allied itself in war against us.

• Eric D. 03 Dec

  Apple takes issue with traditional Biblical values, but has no problem selling racist, sexist, anti-Christian music on their Apple store as well as apps containing smut. Here is a blog post about this issue:
  
  http://www.freestaterevolution.com/?p=1375
  
  God Bless!

• Randy 03 Dec

  I for one support Apple for pulling the app.
  
  I've visited your page and do believe that your site is very antigay and homophobic.
  
  I'm a Christian and a Gay man.  
  
  You need to realize that God is for all men and women.     We need the ability to have the same rights as married people.    If you don't want a gay marriage DON'T HAVE ONE.
  
  Randy

• Patricia Sullivan 03 Dec

  A better number to reach Apple's customer relations may be 877.388.0879.  They are recording our concerns.

• August W. 03 Dec

  Randy,
  Will you be petitioning Apple to remove the rest of the music, apps, and movies that offend other groups of people? We can play this game all day long.
  
  The same Apple store that dropped this app sells music by actual Nazi, racist-skinhead groups. If you don't believe me, do a search for the band Skrewdriver on the Apple store- there are many more.
  
  And while we're talking about "homophobia"- have you listened to the lyrics of some of the rappers these days? Just google "homophobic rappers" and you could write a book. I'm sure woman appreciate the respect they get from these same albums too.
  
  Apple also dedicates an entire collection to a genre of music that centers it's philosophy on anti-Christian propaganda. Just check out the "Black Metal" bands they sell- many are violently anti-Christian (and many are "homophobic" too).
  
  That material is somehow approved by Apple? Of course they are making a profit off of those racist, homophobic, and anti-Christian bands. I guess money talks...
  
  God Bless,
  August West

• Rick 03 Dec

  Call Apple and ask for customer service.  Be polite and tell them your feelings. (Remind them about the 68 million Cathloics in the US, Christmas is coming, possible Catholic boycott, etc.)  Ask them to file your personal complaint and ask them for a case number.  This causes the message you left to be read by someone in administration.  Maybe they will get the message!?

• David Dustan 03 Dec

  It's easy to say this about "gay bashing" when it is not.  Before making statements saying this is why this app was pulled, read the Manhattan Declaration.  If you still feel that this is singling out gays, then follow-up.  I would love to know what makes you think this.
  
  I have been an Apple stockholder and own Apple products.  I have a fundamental problem with a company that makes this decision based on what some customers think.  I will no longer buy Apple and will no longer invest in a company that slams my beliefs and *tells me what to think* (which isn't new at Apple).
  
  I am thankful for Linux and other hardware platforms.  

• Richard 03 Dec

  I'm Gay. I'm married (yes, legally. Got the license, certificate and tax forms to prove it).  And I'm rushing out to my nearest  Apple store to buy as many iPhones as my credit limit will allow.  I will also be hugging each and every Apple employee. When I get home, I will send Steve Jobs an impassioned thank you email. Oh, and thanks for the phone number Patricia.  Calling it now to thank Apple for once again being the rational and reasonable company it is.
  
  You people need to understand that whatever your beliefs, faith or dogma is you simply cannot force it upon others and not expect some sort of backlash.  I know, gay people experience this all the time.
  
  If you'd just leave us alone, I think we would all get along a whole lot better.
  
  Love
  Richard
  

• Alex Gonzalez 03 Dec

  Make a Android, Blackberry app. for the Manhattan  Declaration. Their not control by a Communist dictator(Steve Jobs). Were in America, right?

• Charles J Chop 03 Dec

  Change policy

• Janet L Chop 03 Dec

  Change Policy

• Chal 04 Dec

  Bigotry is bigotry, no matter how "respectful" you claim you're being about it.
  
  Apple is better off without your money. And I say that very respectfully.

• Terry 04 Dec

  Since some of you ,who are pro-gay lifestyle, are bringing God's love for all mankind as a rational of His acceptance of this lifestyle into your agenda I think one has to wonder when He created us why he then created Adam and Eve instead of Adam and Steve?  Seems to be no argument here of His plan.

• albert w loescher 04 Dec

  Merely 480,00 signatures over a year? Are many signers now cowed and demand the organization to delete their names? Is it possible the Internet is neutering itself? 
  Randiness is blasphemy and yada is 'evil in the sight of the Lord'.
  No, I will not withdraw my name since I signed on 24 Nov 09.
  awl

• albert w loescher 04 Dec

  Will you disapprove my politically incorrect comment? Was Christ politically correct in His days on earth? Not!
  awl 

• Pamela Eskridge 04 Dec

  Randy, You are right!  God is for all men. I would not put you down as I hope you would not me, when I “fall”,  but there are principles/guidelines in our Father’s Word. Our belief system, as believers must be built on those principles.  M.D. does not put you down and is not homophobic..
  
  I had tendencies toward certain behaviors before I came to know Jesus Christ  as my personal Savior 34 years ago,  and still do to some of them, but God’s Word makes it clear that some are not acceptable for me anymore because I bear the name of CHRISTian, by choice.
   
  Therefore, by His grace I do not engage in those things any more. Yes, I do fail/fall at times but try not to make them a habit.
  
  I am not homo-phobic, adultry-phobic, gossip-phobic nor gluttony-phobic...but all are wrong according to the Bible. 
  
  Our behavior in any area does not change God’s love for us. But He is a holy God and cannot tolerate what His Word calls sin!
  
  I love you and hope that both of us will search God’s Word for direction in any given matter. 
  
  “Let this mind be in you (us) which is also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5

• Heidi 04 Dec

  @Randy
  
  Read the Declaration, and perhaps you will change your mind.

• Nathan the unrighteous 04 Dec

  So I've read some of these statements ok to clarify I've read a bunch and most of them have made me a little unhappy and upset. Do I wish for a good thing to be shutdown by apple or anyone else?  NO!  however Listen to your selfs, if I didn't want to believe different I would thing that you were a bunch of bigots who can't turn the other cheek enough to show Christ.
  
  So I'm going to make the quick statements:
  
  I believe it is wrong for Apple to censor something that is good. However I also feel that not to long ago people went up in arms about other forms of Applications and apple shut them down as well note one being the porn apps.  (yes you can still get porn just not by the app store)  Is it people right to share whatever opinion they want?  If yes then I say that the porn should be allowed a KKK app should be created.  
  
  IF your argument is that this app promotes healthy conversation then apple should be asked to restore it. However,  It has nothing to do with free speech you have the right to make any statement you want. But it does not mean that a Corporation can't choose not to print or broadcast it. 
  
  So please to those who have made these claims and stated anger instead of walking in Christ's wisdom. Stop embarrassing me how can I chose to stand up for Christ with hypocrites to my left and right.

• furiousxgeorge 05 Dec

  How dare they restrict the right to try and enshrine in law the withholding of rights from others!

• ERNIE BOZOVSKY 05 Dec

  REISTATE THE M.P.

• Conscious Objector. 06 Dec

  I firmly believe that Apple was correct in removing the App from their App Store.  The Manhattan Declaration App is discriminate.  Regardless of what state you live in and what your own personal beliefs are... you should not force your views upon others.  If the people supporting the Manhattan Declaration are truly good at heart and want to uphold the statement "love thy neighbor"... how do you explain telling a couple in love (regardless of what sex they are) they have less rights than you by not allowing them to be wed. 
  
  On the basis of that I agree with Apple in saying this App is discriminant toward Homosexuals.  And I'm not even going to start with the statement of Abortion... 80% of the country support the concept of Abortion in some way.  There are many reasonable situations where it makes sense to have an abortion over the birth of a child...  1) to save the life of the mother, 2) in the case of rape,  it's that simple.  You can believe what you want in your heart and in your mind, but the moment you force these beliefs upon others, you are being discriminant toward your your neighbor.  I support many parts of organized religion, but these qualities I do not.
  
  Apple is in the right on the grounds on not discriminating toward it's customers.  Reduce the hate, love one another.
  
  - Conscious Objector

• Some Guy 06 Dec

  Conscious Objector,
  
  You don't want beliefs forced on others?  Really? How about our belief that theft is wrong?  Should we force people who have stolen to go to prison or suffer some punitive penalty? We believe theft is wrong and we force that belief on criminals all the time. You're point is, well...pointless. It's not about forcing a belief.  The Manhattan Declaration folks just want an opportunity to use Apple the way other people do. What's forceful about that?
  
  Your points on abortion are just plain weak.  How about we ask the unborn child what they think about abortion.  We wouldn't want to force our belief about abortion on them, now would we?
  
  Think about it...
  
  Some Guy

• August 07 Dec

  Conscious Objector:
  First of all, no one is forced to download this free app. But based on your view of this app, Apple should delete all apps that have groups of people who might disagree, or find the views contained in the app offensive.
  
  How would you feel if the same store that deleted this app, sells music from white-supremacist/Nazi skinheads? They do. (just search for Skrewdriver in iTunes)
  
  How would you feel if the same Apple store also sold music and/or movies that are offensive to woman for being sexist? They do. (too many to list)
  
  How would you feel if the same Apple store sold music with lyrics that were ACTUALLY homophobic? Yep, they do. (google "homophobic rappers")
  
  How about music that purposely offends Christians?
  
  The list can go on and on and on...Let's face it- Apple has exposed itself here.

• Robert Harrold 11 Dec

  Is there an Android app?  Android is nearly as popular on cell phones as Apple anyway!

• Kurt 12 Dec

  What does the App do?  I read about this censorship in my local Christian newspaper and I felt compelled to look into the situation.  It is difficult for me support your position since I don't know what the App actually does?  It could be that Jobs got rid of it because of technical concerns.  There are other Christian Apps.  Why did they pick on you?

• L Rivera 16 Dec

  I was thinking to buy the IPad 2 as a drawing device. Not anymore.

• Oscar 16 Dec

  Terry,
  I love how you managed to bring in the word "lifestyle" after the word "gay", despite it not fitting into the rest of your sentence in a grammatically correct manner, just to drive home the point that gay people have radically different "lifestyles" from normal, upstanding moral people merely by dint of whom they prefer to sleep with.
  Believe it or not, most gay people lead very similar lives to yours. For example, I have gay next-door neighbours. They go out to work in the morning. They come home in the evening. They do a bit of garden at the weekend and have friends over to admire their new-born baby girl.
  Not too aberrant a "lifestyle", nor very different from 'the norm', whatever that is.
  
  As for the old "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" argument - do you believe in the 7-day Creation story? Do you believe that all of humanity came from the same two people whom God created on the 6th day? Do you believe that Cain somehow found a wife - when Adam and Eve are only recorded as having two sons - and procreated with her without committing incest? If not, your entire argument is invalid.
  If you do believe all the above, your argument is still fairly invalid since, to begin the human race, of course God would have to start with one of each sex in order for them to procreate at all.

• Gib 17 Dec

  I read the declaration. I can see why Apple removed the app.
  
  There are three assertions, 1 and 3 just being pro-God and God's creatures in a Christian way stuff.
  
  But the second item singles out gay people for exclusion from marriage.
  
  Marriage is a civil institution, but it is also a religious one. In Canada, the lawsuit which brought marriage equality to citizens of all orientations was won on religious grounds. Their religion allowed them to marry but their town's legal process did not.
  
  If you truly promote religious freedom, that includes allowing people to marry the partner of their choice if their religion permits it.
  
  Further, if you want a Bible based marriage, you should check out Bettty Bowers and her video on YouTube, for she clearly enumerates all the types of Christian, Bible-based marriages that we don't allow today: http://bit.ly/bible-marriage  Most Bible-based marriages she lists aren't part of what our modern day understanding of marriage is -- love and commitment between two people (who may not want or be able to have children).  That's a recent invention.
  
  The tradition of marriage is that people say they're married.  That's how it all began.  No ministers. No government officials.  It didn't matter what other people said, it's what the couple said and how they presented themselves to the world. Having officials of the religious or governmental kind is a new addition to the tradition.  Gay people have been calling themselves married for a long time but have only recently gone to church and city hall to have other people say they're married.

• E.D. 20 Dec

  Apple can't win on this one. I don't care what side of the issue you're on. This is bully politics- period. Apple sells plenty of outright racist music and products that will offend some group.
  
  For crying out loud people, Apple sells music from several groups who are openly Nazi propaganda creators.
  
  There is something terribly ironic about a minuscule group of people who, with a political agenda in mind, call on Apple to censor a group they disagree with, but take no issue with other material that is violently racist on the Apple store web-site.
  
  No one has a right to be not-offended. Otherwise we might as well just shut down the web...oh yeah, the left are working on that one right now.

• lead answer 23 Dec

  Real good thing what you did with the signers , they really deserve to be honored and only the big one can honor them so they get back their dignity.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Michael C 03 Jan

  Apple can see the writing on the wall. They know that:
  
  Polls conducted between July 21 and Sept. 6 found that a plurality of Catholics -- 46 percent to 42 percent -- approved of allowing gays and lesbians to marry.
  
  http://www.uscatholic.org/news/2010/10/pew-survey-finds-more-americans-catholics-support-same-sex-marriage
  
  The abortion rate for Catholic women was 22 per 1,000 women; the rate for Protestants was 18 per 1,000 women, according to study author Rachel K. Jones. 
  
  http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/do_catholic_women_get_abortions_more_frequently.html
  
  more than 52% of Americans agreeing that gays and lesbians should have the constitutional right to marry.
  
  http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/08/12/Polls_Show_Increasing_Support_for_Marriage/

• Konrad 06 Jan

  As I read the comments above, one thing kept going cropping up in my mind. This isn't about gays vs Christians, liberals vs conservatives; this is really about morals and what people's belief system is.  I am a Christ follower and whether or not my imperfect morality agrees with everything the bible says is not the issue.  God's word is perfect, it's my sin that tries to find ways around issues of my morals and beliefs.  I know this and I also know that my efforts to become more Christ-like will only look like filthy rags to Him.  That being stated, whether you agree with Steve Jobs and Apple's decision or not is not really what's at issue here. Remember, we live in a country that is free from religious rule. The problem is how man had turned God's word into religion.  Sorry to all of you catholics but RELIGION is just as much to blame for the framing of our constitution as taxation without representation.  This country was founded on principalities that reflect much of what Christians believe but the fact that they wanted to be free from religious rule is the over-arching belief here.  This country is free, not from a monetary stand point, but free from oppression of beliefs.  For all of you Christians, remember, the greatest command is to love one another as God loved you.  You should pull out the log in your own eye before pointing out the splinter in someone else's.  For all of you gays, your lifestyle is something I do not agree with.  Christ calls me to love you, not your lifestyle.  For that we will always disagree.  One day, all of our sin will be exposed.  For all of you, we live in a capitalistic society, what you are trying to force on Apple and blame Steve Jobs for is something that resembles socialistic agenda, what's good and common for all people's beliefs.  The problem is that we are not on common ground.

• Billy Atwell 07 Jan

  Konrad, I do hope you realize that the greatest commandment is not to love your neighbor (it's the 2nd greatest).  The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37).  It is because of this greatest commandment that we Christians are taking a stand against those who wish to suppress us.  We are not only free from state-sponsored religion, but from those who wish to suppress our ability to freely exercise our religion. Don't forget the rest of the 1st Amendment.

• Nick 12 Jan

  I don't know what was funnier in that post, Billy, the fact that Steve Jobs is 'repressing' you when you have this huge website, or that you pulled out the 1st Amendment.  Go talk to any Constitutional Lawyer, the 1st Amendment mainly protects POLITICAL speech.  Sure it protects some creative speech, but there's a limit.
  
  Oh, and the Adam and Eve argument, well, one, you need a man and woman to procreate.  Us gays and gay-supporters and saying that we can magically make a baby.  But, you do realize that a lot of the Bible's rules have changed over time, right?  All of you 'signers', do you guys eat shell fish?  Ever donate to a charity that helps the mentally challenged?(Since the bible DOES say to stone all 'retards') Be in an interracial relationship?
  
  Just wondering.  I personally believe in God but don't agree with some of the Bible's ideals. 

• DavidArtist 14 Jan

  Perhaps the central issue missing here is this: The app is ONLY for those who agree with it and desire to have a mobile access to it's other offerings, such as "Events."  I know, because I downloaded the app before it was removed. To my understanding there is no "evangelism" intended to "convert" or castigate others; but rather to simply facilitate banding together as those in agreement with these clearly stated Biblical principles. There are hundreds of "dedicated" apps that immeasurably facilitate proprietary enterprises to enhance their functions. I'm baffled as to why this is so lost in the conversation! I just downloaded a journal app. But in that app I may include things offensive to others point of view. The contents of the apps are not for public viewing. There is no one "encouraging" those who don't hold the M.D. view to download the app. It is cowardly and nonsensical view for Apple to have done this twice now. I have been an Apple fan for thirty years. I don't intend on boycotting them for this. We can be instructed by the statement, "whatever is not of faith is sin"; meaning, I use the app, but I don't try to make a statement by using it. I just USE it! Peripherally, I'm appalled by the lack of thoughtful, reasoned responses to this issue. We, as Christians, should make diligent effort to present ourselves as loving, rational and wise people. I'm afraid many of the comments I've just read miss that mark by a mile! This is issue would be better served by being more about "righteousness" than "rightness." Just my thoughts.

• Lindsey 14 Jan

  Nick, the Bibles rules have not changed, you have not read or understood the Bible and you are therefore quite ignorant of what it teaches.  The people set apart unto God in the Old Testament (covenant) were given certain rules to be set apart/separate unto God.  However, in the New Testament one of the main issues was what to tell/teach the new Gentile Converts, unaware of the Torah, how to live in the New Birth they found In Jesus Christ.  Food laws were done away with, for we were not defiled buy what we took into the body, but what came out of it and sexual sins, immorality, sins of the heart; however, many believers still choose to follow them.  The good news is that following Jesus isn't about making new rules and cause more religious confusion, washing the outside of the vessel but to simply turn from your sins, seeing Jesus as your Lord and savior and becoming born again, cleaning up the inside of the person-the heart and soul to purity.  The New Birth is a spiritual transformation of the soul and mind found only in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, all that baggage and guilt we carry.  Many do not accept God for they are their own god's and this is rebellion, but like a teen who runs from their parents, they know they are in the wrong, no matter how hard they argue for their being right and full of knowledge.  If you are really interested start in the book of John and you can find the laws dealt with in Hebrews and Galatians, more of these issues for the new believer are also to be found in Ephesians, etc. The Gospel is a message of grace, for while we ALL were yet sinners Christ died for us-this message of Hope is awesome and powerful. 
   The Bible – A record of God’s interventions and interactions with man and an invitation to participate in the same.
  The Gospel - the message concerning Christ, the Kingdom of God and salvation.

• snoɯʎuouɐ 18 Jan

  If you don't like it, don't buy an Iphone. You don't have a RIGHT to an app on any apple phone, due to the fact that you have the option to get something else.

• Carson 31 Jan

  I cannot believe that someone (without irony) made reference to Orwell and a "totalitarian" society. 
  
  What was that famous quote from Animal Farm - we're all equal, some are just more equal than others.
  
  Basic rights for some and not for all speaks directly to that. You realize there was a time blacks couldn't legally marry (well in your country anyway)? 
  
  Stop imposing your religious views on the state - this is a legal commitment with certain rights that should be afforded to ALL citizens. 
  
  I applaud Apple, and I never cease to marvel at Christian hypocrisy. 

• Becky 14 Feb

  Great post! Thanks for the insight. I appreciate your take on fighting and arguments. It’s always tough to know when fighting is productive and when it’s too much fighting. I stumbled upon this blog about fighting like I found yours- http://burisonthecouch.wordpress.com/2010/08/15/more-fighting/

  I thought you and your readers might enjoy it as well. Thanks again for the post! I’d like to see more like it.

• Dexter 02 Mar

  When the time came to renew my MacWorld magazine subscription, I wrote a note to them that for the first time in 16 years, I will be doing without.  We put our money where our heart is.  It is a freedom of expression and speech issue.  If Apple wants to censor a point of view and criticize the authors and members from what is the 21st century town square, they are free to do that, but it is costing Apple and associated partners.

• cheapest laptops 07 Mar

  Nice share. I belive your website should come up much higher in the search results than where it is showing up right now.

• Toby 23 Jun

  If you get a right to speak and keep your app, I want the right to marry. Respect and equality is a two way street. All men (and women) are created equal. Just because you have a different view does not give you the right to deny other peoples' rights. So until I get the freedom to do as I wish and marry someone I love, I hope they keep your "freedom of speech" out of the apple store.
  
  ~Toby
  
  P.S. Sucks to have people deprive you of your rights doesn't it?

• Ari F 23 Jun

  "The problem is that we are not on common ground."
      I took that quote because it sums up pretty much everything that is wrong with this proclamation. I am a gay 23 year old in a loving and committed relationship, I work hard every day, I don't do drugs and I don't have sex in bathhouses or with animals or inanimate objects to take a sampling of the lovely assumptions hidden behind the condescending phrase "gay lifestyle." My parents are deeply religious and I am not at all. Obviously, I strongly disagree with the proposition but no-one here is that interested. My mother put it quite well though, she told me that her beliefs are all based on our inherent right to live out our own lives, with a minimum of impedance to other peoples same rights.
     It is simply disgusting how much effort has been put into preventing gay marriage. We don't care that you don't like us! We do care that you spend this much effort and time preventing us from having basic rights and protections so we can have the normal lives you want to keep us from. Why do you think early gay culture was secret sex in bathhouses? Probably because no-one ever came out of the closet for fear of their lives! To address a terrible analogy made earlier in the thread regarding the one group forcing its opinions on another(like what everyone signing this petition is doing), someone mentioned that incarcerating a thief is infringing on his right to live his life how he wants it.

• Ari F 23 Jun

  
      The fallacy there is that we are punishing the thief because his worldview affects another person's right to live his life while keeping his things. This analogy makes no sense, and I am going to go out on a limb and assume that you associate the two because in your mind they are both morally wrong.  Anyways I don't care about the Iphone app! Steve only pulled it because we complained. They pulled a gay social-network app because it had the word gay in it so don't think you guys are the only ones being "suppressed". I use that word laughingly because you are all getting angry about being suppressed when your whole petition is an attempt to prevent me from living a normal, happy life just like you get to with my hopeful someday husband.

• Johnson 21 Jul

  I will pray every day that every Christian here might one day remember that Jesus Christ commanded us to love our neighbors, not hate them or discriminate against them for being different from us. Your hate and hubris will surely lead you all straight to Hell lest you repent and rediscover the love of Christ.

• Dean Cooper 16 Aug

  You people need to understand that wording something differently does not change its meaning, the insult is still there and the app should not have been approved in the first place. You also need to realize that marriage is not strictly Christian, you can get married no matter what religion you are or where you come from so why not allow same-sex couples do so too? Does it harm you in any way? Does it stop you from being married? No it doesn't and you cant argue otherwise. People like you need to wake up and realize we aren't in the dark ages and different things are happening. I'm not saying religion is a bad thing (although I personally think it is) and that you shouldn't follow it but why do you deserve an opinion on something that doesn't even affect you at all?
  
  When I get married it wont be a civil partnership or any of that rubbish, it will be a marriage, the proposal will be the same, the ceremony will be the same and we will act the same. If selfish, arrogant and downright nasty people such as a large amount of the Christian community stand in my way in the process of which, then they will be going to whatever version of Hell they believe in.
  
  If you really believe the world was made in 7 days and that some magical man named Jesus really existed then good luck to you. But if you believe in the teachings of Christ don't you think he would be incredibly disappointed in you?
  
  On a side note, how DARE you include same sex marriage and abortion in the same category?! I Strongly believe in same sex marriage but not abortion, I do however believe a woman has the right to choose whether she wants to have an abortion or not. Although it doesn't affect me so I don't have the right to make that decision for someone. Just like you don't have the right to say gays and lesbians cannot get married.

• Dean Cooper 16 Aug

  Right so the first part of the decleration is a lie.
  "Christians are heirs of a 2,000-year tradition of proclaiming God's word, seeking justice in our societies, resisting tyranny, and reaching out with compassion to the poor, oppressed and suffering."
  
  Reaching out with compassion to the poor, OPPRESSED and suffering. Yeah then you tell gays they CAN'T marry. I sense a little hypocrisy there.

• Dean Cooper 16 Aug

  And lastly:
  "We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God’s."
  
  As I said before marriage is not God's alone, it is everyone's. You just said we cannot take what is yours in the process of trying to take what is ours. Selfish much?
  

• Dean Cooper 16 Aug

  "Since some of you ,who are pro-gay lifestyle, are bringing God's love for all mankind as a rational of His acceptance of this lifestyle into your agenda I think one has to wonder when He created us why he then created Adam and Eve instead of Adam and Steve?  Seems to be no argument here of His plan"
  
  To whoever wrote that, cant be bothered to read your name if you have no mind of your own. This has nothing to do with some mythological being's "Plan". This is to do with fighting for equality when others think you don't deserve it.

• Joseph 13 Sep

  Let's cut the baloney, people. Apple pulled the plug on your slipshod little app because it is still fashionable to act in a "politically correct" manner, and it will increase sales for them. Steve Jobs doesn't give two hoots about gay marriage. Apple aligns itself with (and caters to) youth, the left, and the concept of the iconoclastic model in business. It is all a supreme falsehood, of course, but it works. Christianity has many manifestations; your particular brand of evangelical irrationalism and hypocrisy is no longer considered tenable by today's mainstream marketplace. The admittance of your app would cause Apple untold amounts of financial grief. We're talking lawsuits, p.r. campaigns, etc. The gay marriage issue is just another hot speaking point that turns a lot of heads and makes people say and do a lot of things they don't really believe, on both sides of the debate. Unfortunately, in the case of Apple, you are an ideologically unworkable product. 

• Lion 03 Oct

  " I hope Apple realizes that standing FOR marriage (between one man and one woman) is not being anti-gay."
  
  So, Essentially, you're trying to be subtle about it. By saying marriage is only allowed between a man and a woman, is essentially saying that you disagree with same sex marriage, which is, in fact, anti-gay.
  
  There are no work arounds. At least if you have a belief, stand up for it instead of skirting around it to put yourself in what is perceived to be a positive light. You honestly just look uneducated, weak, and pathetic like everyone else who claims same sex marriage is wrong.
  
  Welcome to the new world folks. Instead of putting time and effort into things like stopping others from enjoying their lives, put it towards something useful. All I see is wasted effort for a cause that quite frankly, within a few years, is going to be non-existent. Put your effort into helping the less fortunate enjoy life. Right now you're simply being selfish and, let's face it, not a very good Christian.

• Ahzirr Traajijazeri 14 Oct

  I love how you abominations of humanity hide behind your religion. Saying you are not bashing homosexuals yet denying them the right to love, a foolish concept for a foolish wretch. You lot of poor misguided individuals shall burn in the depths of the hell you dread.

• dell laptops  21 Feb

   actually use a computer a lot. I have three computers that I use on a regular basis - one is on my desk top in my Washington office, another is at home, and I have my laptop that I use when I'm travelling.

• Nic Coventry 28 Mar

  Wow, shame on Apple for pulling your App down. I totally agree with your comment about disagreeing and bashing being 2 totally different things and they are not the same thing in any way. I don't agree with Gay Marriage at all. It's completely pointless. There's no reason for it, and it doesn't mention anything about it in the Bible, because its simply something we don't need. Great article, and as I can see here very controversial!