(no subject)

[csberry]

Copy this sentence into your livejournal if you're in a heterosexual marriage, and you don't want it "protected" by the folks who think that gay marriage hurts it somehow.

A social contract shouldn't need religious "protection" in any case, but there you go.

Comments

[ex-allenb.livejournal.com]

Still...I think that these folks have the conviction of their beliefs. They are good, decent people who don't think like you do. (I use the collective you, not the specific)
I don't believe that it is bigotry to cling to one's religious beliefs. Their taking a stand against something they believe is wrong does not make them bigots. Especially in light of the fact that they're being insulted and called names because of it.

It's just not the same as burning a cross in someone's yard or refusing to hire them based on their race.

[csberry.livejournal.com]

There are certainly good, decent people who have principles which make them ethically against extending marriage to homosexuals. Those people ARE NOT bigots. Most of the time, I enjoy conversations and debates with these folks. As they pray that God guides me to their way of thinking, I hope they will have a personal experience like those that helped to guide my opinions on the matter.

I have NO PROBLEMS with the people I discuss above.

However, there are plenty of people that are motivated by hate and prejudice against homosexuals/homosexuality. People who think it is fine to bully, harass, and denigrate others because of their sexuality. People who vilify others because of the single trait of sexual orientation. People who are convinced that gays are waiting in shadows to rape innocent boys or helpless men.

No matter of logic will change these people's opinions. Merriam-Webster defines bigot as "a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially: one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance." That definition goes for the gay-bashers and the Christian-haters. No side of the political spectrum has a monopoly on bigots.

[ex-allenb.livejournal.com]

Like those vile hatemongers who have made it their personal mission to worsen the suffering of those who have lost loved ones in accidents, but showing up and telling the bereaved that their loved ones died because America doesn't hate gay people.

I understand. And we are closer to agreement on the matter than I had believed.

It's always easy to take a stand on one issue or the other until you know someone who is close to that issue. A number of years ago I would have taken a black and white view on the issue of gay marriage...now not so much. I know a very loving gay couple, who have married in as much as the law permits here in Alabama. That is they had a ceremony and are bonded.

So it's not a black and white issue for me nowadays as it might have once been. I also think that couples like my friends should have the protections and rights that many married couples enjoy. I hadn't fully understood what they go through until I saw an HBO special... I can't recall the name, but it addressed what happened to an aged monogamous lesbian couple when one of the partners died and the will did not provide for the surviving spouse.

Anyway... therin is a small part of my view on the issue.

Thank you for responding.