Acceptable abuse
I’m a little stunned this morning.
As practically anyone with sense predicted, the homosexual community reacted extremely badly to the passage of Prop. 8. It’s one thing to have had rights denied to you for centuries, it’s another to have recently-attained rights taken away by people for no other reason than they don’t like you.
So, why am I stunned? Well, certain religious organizations were active in the process to remove those rights, and plenty of others stood complacently by. So, gay people are lashing out at these religious groups. And the stunning thing is that religious folks are acting surprised and hurt!
I swear, I’m reading this in many places online, such as LiveJournal, news sites, opinion blogs: “We’re just treating you like abominations and taking away a chance at happiness you briefly had. We don’t understand why you’re so upset. Why would you have a problem with this?” Of course, it’s not those specific words, but it’s absolutely the attitude. “We don’t understand why you’re so angry, and honestly, we’re a bit offended.”
Frankly, I’ve always attributed discrimination against gay people, in most cases, to malice. “We don’t like you, and it’s socially okay to mistreat you, so we’re gonna.” I never before realized that someone could be unaware that treating another human that way was wrong. “Why does this bother you?”
Wow.
As I said, it’s like someone punching you in the face randomly and when you return the favor they’re like ~What was that for!? That’s no fair!~
Seriously? Where are these blogs? We think we’ve found a house with a fireplace and I want to be well stocked on kindling.
Somedays, my religious brethren disgust me.
One of the local NWSFSians,, is something of an activist in that area and posts a lot about. And a lot of economic data, as well.
I don’t think I’d call these folks “religious brethren”. More like people claiming the same religion.
I’m not an uber religious person, but the major teachings (from my understanding) of Christianity is, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:29)
A Jewish look, “What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. This
is the law: all the rest is commentary.” (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)
It doesn’t say “love your fellow man unless they’re gay” or “unless they have red hair” or whatever else you don’t like or don’t agree with. Who are “they” (meaning the hurt church people) to deny anyone happiness?
I sense that you have “too much” empathy — that is, compared to most people.
Seriously, though, I believe people discriminate because it makes them feel better. By pointing out, and hating, the differences of other people, one can develop a sense of connection with more similar people. It’s fucked up and frustrating, but it’s what I believe.
Solidarity. By rejecting outsiders you confirm your place in the group of those like you. By being attacked, or feigning such, you assert this even further, hence post 9/11 super-patriotism.
Let’s hope the new congress can pass the full ENDA bill in 2009… that will set a strong precedent against all other purposefully discriminatory laws.