Thread: Brendon Ayanbadejo tackles the subject of gay marriage

The fact that the black vote heavily favors bans on gay marriage saddens me to no end. It's so hypocritical that I sit there in stunned silence every time I see an example of it. I don't know how to describe it beyond that.

Originally Posted by havelock1976

The fact that the black vote heavily favors bans on gay marriage saddens me to no end. It's so hypocritical that I sit there in stunned silence every time I see an example of it. I don't know how to describe it beyond that.

It's the Church. A guess, but I'm sure Latino's overwhelmingly disfavor gay marriage as well. I think it's pretty tried-and-true result of oppression--the best way to stop being the Other is to identify and rally against another Other.

Originally Posted by PseudoSABR

Originally Posted by havelock1976

The fact that the black vote heavily favors bans on gay marriage saddens me to no end. It's so hypocritical that I sit there in stunned silence every time I see an example of it. I don't know how to describe it beyond that.

It's the Church. A guess, but I'm sure Latino's overwhelmingly disfavor gay marriage as well. I think it's pretty tried-and-true result of oppression--the best way to stop being the Other is to identify and rally against another Other.

Spot on, unfortunately. Great assessment. Anti-gay attitudes are almost exclusively the result of Christian nonsense about sin. It's Christian, but it isn't Christ-ian (love thy neighbor). It's damn weird.

Originally Posted by freshinthehouse

Originally Posted by fatbeer

My big problem is this is Kluwe, and his complete lack of the ability to make a point without being an idiot and offending people.

The irony here is astounding.

hahahaha

Originally Posted by PseudoSABR

It's the Church. A guess, but I'm sure Latino's overwhelmingly disfavor gay marriage as well. I think it's pretty tried-and-true result of oppression--the best way to stop being the Other is to identify and rally against another Other.

Oh, I know the reasoning. That still doesn't make it right and it still shows a complete lack of sympathy for their fellow man (along with a healthy dose of ignoring recent history). Minorities should be the first ones in line to support gay marriage based on their own ancestors' struggles gaining equality in this country.

Originally Posted by Shane Wahl

Spot on, unfortunately. Great assessment. Anti-gay attitudes are almost exclusively the result of Christian nonsense about sin. It's Christian, but it isn't Christ-ian (love thy neighbor). It's damn weird.

The religious extremists have certainly taken hold of the anti-homosexual platform in this country, but worldwide it is punishable by death in a number of non-Christian African countries to be caught in a homosexual act. Most Islamic countries have severe punishments for homosexuality, up to and including death. I'm not saying any are right by any means, but to explain this exclusively as a Christian issue is ignoring the issue on a larger, world-wide scale.

Originally Posted by biggentleben

Originally Posted by Shane Wahl

Spot on, unfortunately. Great assessment. Anti-gay attitudes are almost exclusively the result of Christian nonsense about sin. It's Christian, but it isn't Christ-ian (love thy neighbor). It's damn weird.

The religious extremists have certainly taken hold of the anti-homosexual platform in this country, but worldwide it is punishable by death in a number of non-Christian African countries to be caught in a homosexual act. Most Islamic countries have severe punishments for homosexuality, up to and including death. I'm not saying any are right by any means, but to explain this exclusively as a Christian issue is ignoring the issue on a larger, world-wide scale.

Of course, the context of our national problem has to do with our largely national religion. I have no doubt that other religions and nations deride gay rights far more than we do, given what I know about women's rights world-wide, it makes total sense. But if the defense of Christianity begins with showing the unmitigated hate found elsewhere in the world, you're going to need an awful lot of Pledge to shine off that halo.

If Christianity desires to be a modern spiritual guide post in American lives, it's got to be progressive on this issue. I have a hard time believe that Jesus would vilify gays to the degree his followers do, so the whole premise seems to be an exercise in exclusion, not morality.

Originally Posted by PseudoSABR

If Christianity desires to be a modern spiritual guide post in American lives, it's got to be progressive on this issue. I have a hard time believe that Jesus would vilify gays to the degree his followers do, so the whole premise seems to be an exercise in exclusion, not morality.

Most religions are exclusionary. You need to join, and participate and believe in a specific way. Sure, I could attend services most places (not all) and be welcomed in the door, but in most of most it wouldn't be truly acceptable for me to participate in certain aspects, i.e. communion. This is why I do not participate in any organized religion and why no religion should be a part of governmental policy. No denomination, let alone the whole group as a whole, believes in the same way and leads to greater conflict, imo.