In response to sharing the link to
First they came for the Gays, by Arrogant Ape
the following dialogue took place. One of my progressive friends in another state followed along, liking the dialogue, and the correspondent who I shall call Mary (not her real name), who is one of my favorite people on the planet, and who often disagrees with me on political issues, is a committed Christian who has always worked with the homeless in street ministries. I post this as an example of one way you can work with people on the other side of this issue.
I feeling strongly that this issue, along with foreign policy, will be prominent in the 2016 election.
My lead in to the shared post was: This sort of bigotry is showing up in state after state. Do not patronize businesses who discriminate against anyone based on their "religious principles."
My friend Mary's first response was
Mary: "Christian Sharia"????????? 23 hrs · Like
Me: I know. These are state legislatures hiding behind a claim of religious beliefs to enforce discrimination. Political sharia would be more accurate, since these legislative measures are anything but Christian. 17 hrs · Like · 1
Mary: Will have to agree to disagree on this point. I just don't feel that the government has the right to tell anybody that they have to do anything.definitely not if it goes against your beliefs system. The interesting thing with this is the bakery here in Oregon that didn't feel it was in their convictions to do a gay wedding got So much hate mail social media hate attacks hate signs marching in front of their business and you name it everything happened to them. But a man went to 13 different gay owned florists here and ask if they would do a traditional wedding and they refused. Nothing happened to any of them. I don't understand how this only goes against Christians.
Me: There is still room for common ground. The government, either state or federal, does have some rights to tell people to do some things; pay taxes, serve in the military, allow for food safety inspectors. The U.S. Constitution enumerates some of these rights, and other rights are protected rights; the right for women to vote, equal protections under the law, due process. Gay rights are not a simple issue, I'll grant. I am not even sure how the Supreme Court will come down on the upcoming June decision on gay marriages. I am sure there are social media hate attacks on everyone, not just Christians. Our society is a nation of laws in theory, and without our Constitution, we'd be lost. I'm fine with agreeing to disagree. I love you anyway, Mary! 4 hrs · Like · 2
Weigh in if you'd like and add your two cents worth to other points I/you might have made.
