The yearly ritual of Christians getting their panties in a wad because the government would dare to call a Christmas tree a holiday tree instead has begun. I fail to understand what the controversy is all about. If you want to call it a Christmas tree, wish people a Merry Christmas and send out Christmas cards, nobody’s stopping you. All they’re saying is that not everyone in this country shares your beliefs and it’s un-American for the government to endorse one religion over another. The United States was founded on religious freedom for all. Even if those beliefs don’t coincide with your own. The ironic part is that it was originally a pagan symbol so if we really want to go back to the good old days, why don’t we call it a winter solstice tree?
I think the same totalitarian arrogance that’s behind Christian’s attitudes about holiday celebrations in December also shows in their attitudes towards gay marriage. I get that you think homosexual relations are a sin but the whole world isn’t just like you. By all means, don’t engage in same-sex relationships and it’s well within your rights to pass this dogma on to your children, but other adults don’t have to kowtow to your every whim. Even if gay marriage is legalized nationwide it still won’t affect you or your church in any way. Just because the government recognizes same-sex marriages it doesn’t mean anyone else has to.
I grew up Southern Baptist, a religion founded on the concept that the Bible says that blacks are inferior to whites. They did eventually denounce this creed but it was well into the 20th century before that finally happened. Most Southern Baptist churches still won’t accept that a woman can preach and they consider her to be a helper to her husband, who should rule over her just as God rules over man. The church is still free to hold these assumptions even though the government confers equal rights to women and the same thing should happen for gays. Conservative Christians need to accept the fact that they live in a democracy, not a totalitarian state. You can hold whatever beliefs you wish, it's just not fair to shove them down everyone else's throat.
Mary Beth, it's me, Ardell (southwind4sale or something, don't ask) I liked today's blog, I'm at Steph's in Maine, and both sides of the issue have been pleading their respective cases relentlessly on TV, radio, yard signs, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe pro-gay marriage side had an ace up their sleeve that they didn't play,which appeals even to the most homophobic bigot in darkest W.Va.. I think all divorced people have seen an unspoken element from the beginning of this debate. the pro gay marriage campaign should have drawn up signs and ads touting "No Special Protections for Gays! Vote NO on Issue 1!" and the like. It's not dishonest, and there are plenty of heterosexuals like myself who aren't so much anxious to share the joys of matrimony with a slighted minority, as much as watching the guilty pleasure of watching a tormented soul trapped in a bad marriage. Why should a person's sexual preference shield them from divorce and the ensuing financial obligations? I say this is a violation of equal protections act, and as such, the GLBT communtity deserves the chance to roll the dice and suffer like everyone else.