Kelbear

We've been friends for about 10 years, and we've never seen or heard of him dating anyone or even giving any sign of interest in a girl. Dude hits the gym everyday, and dresses well, really well, like he just stepped out of a GQ shoot or something. He's not shy around girls either, so he's either gay or completely asexual.

He's almost 30 and he's still in the closet, and it bums me out that he still needs to pretend even around his friends. It makes me wonder if I should just tell him that I know already and it's ok.

Would that make him feel any better? Or would that just make him all defensive, distant, and even more closeted? If he's actually straight then I'm not worried about asking because it's an easy thing for a straight guy to shake off, I'm worried because I'm sure he is and I don't know if talking to him about it would help or not.

(Also, I don't have a crush on him. It seems like everybody else who asks this question is just secretly harboring a fantasy of getting together with their closeted friend).

If he had political power today, what kind of policies do you think he'd apply regarding:

1) Taxes

2) Entitlement spending

3) Immigration

4) Unemployed/Poor

5) Environmental Regulation

Please explain your answers? Biblical passages would be a plus.

Growing up in a Christian household and going to church every weekend of my childhood taught me values and ethics. It helped me teach me to care about people I don't know, it helped me to value doing the right thing, even if there's no chance of getting caught or punished.

But there are Christian values I definitely don't want instilled in my children. I don't want them to be judgmental, or bigoted. I want them to question group-think and think critically about "truths" that others accept at face value, and more importantly, question their own beliefs.

Obviously the primary burden of raising a child lies with the parent. However, realistically speaking, I can only teach my children when I'm around them at home. When the child is out and engaging with others, he will be learning from everyone he encounters. I'd like to be able to balance negative external influences outside the home with exposure to a community with a positive influence. It's important for all young people to feel that have a group they "belong" to, until they can learn to identify themselves as individuals and mature into an adult. I had peer pressure to misbehave or do drugs, but I had much stronger peer pressure to study hard and volunteer.

I want to be able to give my child the benefit of similar influences as they grow up but I don't see any secular analogues to the religious community in which I grew up. Does anyone have suggestions?