I thought about not doing this today. Simply because I'm still a little emotionally charged by all of the commotion that's gone on this week with a certain fast-food chain. I really don't know why I'm so worked up about it - I usually don't ever involve myself with stuff like that. But, it has gotten to me in more ways than I ever thought possible. So, I still have a few things to say - but will try and keep my letters format.
Dear Anyone Who Read My Blog Yesterday: I want to reiterate that my point for my blog post wasn't to bash one side of the fight or the other. Yes, everyone should have their freedom of speech. Yes, everyone has their right to believe in and defend one side of the argument or the other. Yes, I have my own opinions on the matter. But that WAS NOT what that post was about. My intent wasn't to judge those who showed support for what they believe in - my intent was to show my feelings on how sad I was about the way it was carried out. I stand firm in what I said yesterday, and will not apologize for any of it. My true point was to shed some light on people that are in desperate need of help. That there are far more pressing matters in this country that could have used that financial support. That is all. And, I have the right to feel that way.
Dear People Who Contacted Me Privately, Yesterday: The majority of you were Christian people who felt ashamed and upset that there are so many people bashing Christianity based on the opinions of what some Christians have said on this matter. You shared with me that you are saddened that so many Christians are showing judgment and hate - and that not all Christians feel that way. You shared how Jesus wants people to love all men, regardless of the sins they carry in their lives. To all of you, I want to tell you how deeply sorry I am. I know exactly how you feel - and stand with you. People should not be bashing the religion of Christianity based on the beliefs and views of some Christians. I am reminded of how Muslims feared for their lives after the attacks of 9/11. The Muslim religion was slammed, and hate was portrayed towards many Muslims who had lived in this country their whole lives. All because of the actions of an extreme group that used the Muslim religion as the basis of their attacks. That extreme group hated Americans - and were determined to wage war based on that hatred of Americans. Not all Muslims agreed with their views, and those Muslims that believed in peace and harmony were still treated with discontent for a long time from many American people. Some still are. Not that I want to compare the attacks made on our country to what's happening now - but there are Christians who carry hate in their hearts for certain people...or maybe not hate, but a disagreement of sorts. They don't like the way certain people live their lives and judge them because of it. That doesn't mean ALL Christians feel that way - and should NOT be bashed or insulted because of the feelings of some Christians.
Dear People Who Will Now SLAM Me For Comparing the Current Drama to 9/11: I in NO WAY feel that the issue that is currently rampaging over gay rights or freedom of speech to be comparable to the heinous attacks made on our country on 9/11. It was just a point I wanted to make in regards to an entire religious community being judged based on the actions of some members of that religious community. I have seen and heard many references to "Christians" based on this issue - and that's not fair. Not all Christians believe the same way. Hate should never be carried in anyone's heart - and there is a lot of it spewing around right now. That makes me so sad. I would never assume that all Baptists agree with the thoughts that come from Westboro Baptist Church - so I'm just as unhappy that so many people believe that all Christians hate gay people. In reality, there are MANY, MANY, Christians who do not hate gay people. In fact, I've even seen many people who disagree with gay rights that have expressed that they do not HATE gay people - they just don't agree with it. Everyone has that right - I just believe HATE and JUDGMENT should be kept out of it.
Dear Anyone Else Who Really Cares or Is Still Interested: Even though I haven't come out and said it, I think it's pretty obvious of my stand on the issue. But, I will say it out loud right now: I believe that gay people should be able to get married. I believe they should be able to live their lives with all the benefits that married couples are given. And, let me tell you why.
Being gay has been proven to not be a "choice" but is something a person is born with. At the end of the day, people can't control who they fall in love with. I have actually worked with children as young as 4th, 5th, and 6th graders who have had the courage to share with me that they are confused - because they have feelings for kids of the same sex. I have known children who have two moms or two dads and are bullied terribly. That's not the fault of the same-sex parents - it's because those children that bully have been taught that those partnerships are wrong. I have read newspaper article after newspaper article about kids who have committed suicide because they were gay - and just didn't think anyone would understand or had been taught that those types of feelings were wrong.
I also don't believe that the argument of protecting the sanctity of a "traditional marriage" can hold up as long as the divorce rate in this country continues to climb. While people still continue to cheat on their wives and husbands. While people who have children out of wed-lock are allowed to be married (I'm one of those people). I don't think it's fair to make that argument when the only factor that is being considered is a man must marry a woman. That is not the true definition of a "traditional marriage".
I have actually heard the argument that if gay rights are allowed, there will never be an end to what people are allowed to do... such as marrying an animal or an inadement object. Really? That's an argument. Most gay couples want to marry because they want their partnership recognized - but that's not the only reason. Many gay couples are fighting for the rights of health insurance, tax breaks, etc. Both adults work, or are able to work. They pay taxes. As individuals they have rights that are not granted to animals and inadement objects. They just want to bond those rights.
And lastly, I was raised to love all people - equally. I don't feel differently about people based on skin colors, religious beliefs, or who they love. I believe that my judgment will come after I die - and how I lived my life will be a reflection on that. I will help anyone that needs it however I can. I will provide love, comfort, and support to complete strangers. I will raise my children in the same manner. I believe I was called in to the profession of being a teacher so that I can make some small impact on this world - by educating our next generation, and also filling their hearts with love and tolerance for all. In my mind, allowing gay people to marry the people they love is a step forward in tolerance for all of mankind. That even if we agree or disagree, whether it is in our religious beliefs or not, we are not the judges. There are so many gay people that live in this country who do not share the same Christian beliefs - and even though this country was founded on Christian beliefs, we also carry an amendment that grants everyone the right to be free in their religious practices. Why should the religious beliefs or some interfere with the religious beliefs of others?
And that is all I am going to say on this matter. I promise.
Till next time. ;)
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Again, well said, Joanna. Your ability to think and right with laser clarity is amazing. Plus, I agree with you! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cathy!! That really means a lot to me. :)
DeleteI would like to think we can disagree without being disagreeable as well. I am a Christian and a conservative so I don't need to tell you my position. That Chick-fil-A day came about mostly because of those three mayors who felt they had the power to keep out a business because their opinions were different. There were even some gay people who went just to show their support for freedom of speech. If the government can go after Christians, it can go after gays, atheists, Jews, etc. A lot of those people who supported Chick-fil-A are also people who give. I give from each of my paychecks and alternate it among my Church, Salvation Army, Hope House (homeless men), and Genesis (shelter for abused women and children). We have adopted a child in Africa through a Christian organization. My point is that just because people showed their support by eating some chicken doesn't mean they don't also support other worthy causes. You have to get a little thick skinned if you are going to blog because even though it is your blog and you are entitled to your opinion and to blog about it there will always be someone with a differing opinion only too happy to share it with you. Some are more tactful than others as you know. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you disagreeing with me in a very tactful way. I mentioned in my post, yesterday, how I do believe that many of the people that showed up probably give to charitable organizations. My point was more along the lines that I wished that people were able to come together in such great masses for those causes.
DeleteI don't believe that businesses should be banned from areas based on their beliefs - people have the right to decide where they spend their money... that's why I never brought up that point, although maybe I should have. I understand people spending their money to support that point - but at the end of the day, it shouldn't be a point people are fighting over.
I just really wish that sometime people could put their personal differences aside and work together to accomplish wonderful things for the humanity of our country.
This is kind of the "give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for the rest of his life". I don't know who said that or if I have it right but you get the point. You are also in education where you will be teaching people to fish. Jesus said, "the poor will always be with us". That's true and we should ease their suffering as much as we can for sure.
DeleteI love you babe. :) It's refreshing to see your opinions come out because you write well and intelligently. I honestly don't know how I feel and that feels just as icky as feeling strongly one way or the other. But thoughts like yours are helping me to figure out where I do indeed stand.
ReplyDeleteLet me first say that I do not have any problem with anyone marrying anyone else. I even know gay partnerships that are so much stronger than many of the "traditional" relationships I know. I think people who are committed to each other should be treated as such. I believe that the family unit is not what most on the extreme right believe it to be.
ReplyDeleteBUT I have to say that I can't believe that this got your feathers so ruffled. I also believe that you do not understand the basic issues behind it. It does NOT have anything to do with what this man may believe. I has to do with the basic rights we have in this country.
Personally, I am more upset that a couple was STONED to death in accordance with Sharia law. It makes me frightened for our future as mankind that there are places in this world that will resort to such an evil punishment because someone did not fit into their religious view. Now, I know that some of the people that went to buy chicken on this day went because of their religious views BUT if the worst thing they do in the name of whatever their God may be is to buy a chicken sandwich...well, I have no issue with that. It scares me more that people think that the right to express a view point in a NON VIOLENT way and the right to financially support what they choose to support is detrimental to our society. That astounds me.
Oh, Lynn, it is so much more than that. I don't want there to be violence - but there already has been. So the violence didn't happen on Wednesday when everyone went and bought chicken sandwiches - but it still happens. Children are being bullied, hate crimes are happening every day, people are committing suicide over it. It is so much more than buying chicken sandwiches... but there are apparently some people who just don't understand that.
DeleteI want to share an article with you - maybe it will help, maybe it won't... but it sheds some light on how much more than just buying a chicken sandwich it really is... www.owldolatrous.com/?p=288 Hopefully that link works.
I had a "discussion" with my husband over this very matter. I have a gay sister in law (his sister) and I think it is not my place to tell someone who to love. By the way I was raised in a very strict baptist home. I just feel that God loves everybody and so should I.
ReplyDelete