I think I've done a pretty good job retaining the ability to at least understand where conservative Christians (for instance) are coming from on issues where I no longer agree with them. (If I ever did... but that's a much more complicated deal.) But on this issue, it's really, really hard for me to get past my incredulity at the lack of logic. Logic which you presented very clearly above.
And actually I have trouble understanding what's SO threatening about allowing people of the same sex to marry or have the same domestic rights as people of different sexes. It's not a logical thing, I know from experience, it's an emotional thing, and why? Maybe it's a gutteral, animal-like fear of the Other. Maybe it undermines an certain interpretation of the Bible, and for people who believe in the Bible literally and only in one interpretation, that will shake the foundations of their world. But there are other issues that should do the same. So I have to believe this was manufactured and hyped up somehow. I just don't get it.
The service at my local UU church yesterday made me more hopeful. Never having been around so many gay-friendly people at once, and certainly not in a church, the only environment I knew where most people were so tolerant was a virtual one.
Both my neighbor to the left, and my cousin's sweetie expressed the opinion that the business community is pushing an anti-gay marriage agenda to fight against the kinds of benefits they will have to pay out if gay marriage becomes sanctioned. I think perhaps businesses are a strong player in the fight over this, but it's the bigotry of the religious people forcing this issue. It's just one more reason why I'm fascinated by religion in the abstract, and disgusted with it in the reality of it.
I mentioned Seattle in my post, and there were several times when both Ron and I commented on how much you would love the city, and fit in. There's plenty of space to be alone, yet around others, if desired, being outside, exercising, or just enjoying the greenery, and there's an open appreciation for many cultures and types of people. I've never seen so many Priuses and Subarus in my life. It's so green, literally, and green mentally- there are recycling containers everywhere.
We actually, for grins, looked at houses, we loved it there so much. It's like an east coast city, smack dab on the west coast, with progressive sensibilities, and upper west coast weather. Everything seems to grow there like crazy. I walked more, and happily, than I've walked in months. Like, voluntarily.
I've always had that sense about Seattle. I wonder if I would fit in *too* well. I'm used to being the odd duck! Heh.
Ooh, speaking of all this, today's Fresh Air is about gay conversion. Terry was just talking with a leader of a "ex-gay" organization. And now she's talking to an ex-ex-gay. Whee. Reminds me of But I'm a Cheerleader.
And actually I have trouble understanding what's SO threatening about allowing people of the same sex to marry or have the same domestic rights as people of different sexes. It's not a logical thing, I know from experience, it's an emotional thing, and why? Maybe it's a gutteral, animal-like fear of the Other. Maybe it undermines an certain interpretation of the Bible, and for people who believe in the Bible literally and only in one interpretation, that will shake the foundations of their world. But there are other issues that should do the same. So I have to believe this was manufactured and hyped up somehow. I just don't get it.
The service at my local UU church yesterday made me more hopeful. Never having been around so many gay-friendly people at once, and certainly not in a church, the only environment I knew where most people were so tolerant was a virtual one.
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I mentioned Seattle in my post, and there were several times when both Ron and I commented on how much you would love the city, and fit in. There's plenty of space to be alone, yet around others, if desired, being outside, exercising, or just enjoying the greenery, and there's an open appreciation for many cultures and types of people. I've never seen so many Priuses and Subarus in my life. It's so green, literally, and green mentally- there are recycling containers everywhere.
We actually, for grins, looked at houses, we loved it there so much. It's like an east coast city, smack dab on the west coast, with progressive sensibilities, and upper west coast weather. Everything seems to grow there like crazy. I walked more, and happily, than I've walked in months. Like, voluntarily.
Reply
Ooh, speaking of all this, today's Fresh Air is about gay conversion. Terry was just talking with a leader of a "ex-gay" organization. And now she's talking to an ex-ex-gay. Whee. Reminds me of But I'm a Cheerleader.
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