Is a civil disagreement possible about LGBT treament?
Izariel
2012/03/18 23:17:25
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7 votes
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2 votes
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Let me first state that I am a Christian conservative that opposes same sex marriage for religious reasons. However, I wish to put forth my support and for all those that are struggling and suffering under actual discriminatory treatment in their day to day private lives for the way in which they live.
You see, I differentiate treatment between public/government treatment and private treatment in day to day life. While I do not support actual marriage I will gladly support a homosexual if I see them being poorly treated, abused, or disregarded. I do not beleive that poor or disrespectful treatment is ever alright.
I want to ask is it possible for people to see and understand my point of view? Is it possible to have deeply seeded religious views that come from a lifetime of sincerely held beleifs that inform your opinion about political matters such as this? I beleive it is possible and that even with such views to still treat everyone fairly and morally.
My brother is openly gay and as I stated, I am a religious conservative. We get along fairly well because we love eachother. I have had many gay friends and love spending time with them. There are certain issues which we will inevitably disagree on, but this is America, where everyone can have an opinion.
What I absolutely hate is seeing instances where gays are mistreated, degraded, or forced to live in fear. I strive to follow the example of Christ who not only went to the Jews during his ministry but also the Samaritans (the outsiders). He spoke to everyone and loved everyone. He would teach all and love all equally. He may try to teach and lead by example to follow his commandments, but never by force or fear. This is what all Christians should do.
So, do advocates of LGBT causes feel the same? Is it possible for someone who personally relates to gays and would gladly defend them, but who still opposes same sex marriage, to get fair treatment and respect from LGBT advocates?
I have been labeled a bigot, a hater, and many other names simply for following my religious beliefs. I have never in my life (to my knowledge) mistreated a gay person in my private life. I asked my brother about this after he came out and he told me I never made him feel upset or uncomfortable.
So, is the standard the same for both sides of the issue? I would really like to know.
You see, I differentiate treatment between public/government treatment and private treatment in day to day life. While I do not support actual marriage I will gladly support a homosexual if I see them being poorly treated, abused, or disregarded. I do not beleive that poor or disrespectful treatment is ever alright.
I want to ask is it possible for people to see and understand my point of view? Is it possible to have deeply seeded religious views that come from a lifetime of sincerely held beleifs that inform your opinion about political matters such as this? I beleive it is possible and that even with such views to still treat everyone fairly and morally.
My brother is openly gay and as I stated, I am a religious conservative. We get along fairly well because we love eachother. I have had many gay friends and love spending time with them. There are certain issues which we will inevitably disagree on, but this is America, where everyone can have an opinion.
What I absolutely hate is seeing instances where gays are mistreated, degraded, or forced to live in fear. I strive to follow the example of Christ who not only went to the Jews during his ministry but also the Samaritans (the outsiders). He spoke to everyone and loved everyone. He would teach all and love all equally. He may try to teach and lead by example to follow his commandments, but never by force or fear. This is what all Christians should do.
So, do advocates of LGBT causes feel the same? Is it possible for someone who personally relates to gays and would gladly defend them, but who still opposes same sex marriage, to get fair treatment and respect from LGBT advocates?
I have been labeled a bigot, a hater, and many other names simply for following my religious beliefs. I have never in my life (to my knowledge) mistreated a gay person in my private life. I asked my brother about this after he came out and he told me I never made him feel upset or uncomfortable.
So, is the standard the same for both sides of the issue? I would really like to know.
Top Opinion
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Yes, please explain.
+5I SUPPORT EQUAL RIGHTS, P-E-R-I-O-D!!!! It doesn't matter on what topic, which group... full equality for all HUMAN BEINGS!
And certainly people understand that as a result of your religion, you do not favor or support a homosexual marriage as a result of that belief and faith.
And certainly people also understand that you respect & support the provisions and limitations that the first amendment in the bill of rights of the United States constitution has afforded every United States citizen in the practice and exercise of their individual religious faith and the congressional limitations it affords in preventing the establishment of laws favoring or targeting religions.
We can also see that since you are a resident of NC in the US you fully respect the merit and intent of the 14th amendments "equal protection of the laws" clause through your inquiry regarding political matters and your unrestricted practice in the exercise of your deeply seeded religious ideologies influence regarding policies through the protections of the US Constitutions Bill of Rights and the 1st amendment.
And then again, we also see that the influence your deeply seeded religious background has for you personally, is wielded by you, in the attempt to create policies and enact public laws that favor your religious ideolog...
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And certainly people understand that as a result of your religion, you do not favor or support a homosexual marriage as a result of that belief and faith.
And certainly people also understand that you respect & support the provisions and limitations that the first amendment in the bill of rights of the United States constitution has afforded every United States citizen in the practice and exercise of their individual religious faith and the congressional limitations it affords in preventing the establishment of laws favoring or targeting religions.
We can also see that since you are a resident of NC in the US you fully respect the merit and intent of the 14th amendments "equal protection of the laws" clause through your inquiry regarding political matters and your unrestricted practice in the exercise of your deeply seeded religious ideologies influence regarding policies through the protections of the US Constitutions Bill of Rights and the 1st amendment.
And then again, we also see that the influence your deeply seeded religious background has for you personally, is wielded by you, in the attempt to create policies and enact public laws that favor your religious ideology over other United States citizens and limit their access, representation and protection of "certain laws" that is contrary to the protections of both the 1st and the14th amendments that congress and states themselves are restricted from doing.
Now certainly I can understand your rights, and I even understand your personal religious convictions.
Neither of our rights as United States Citizens are different or one greater than the other in favor or preference of the laws as provided through the 1st & 14th amendments, nor are our differences regarding religious ideologies given constitutional preference in laws.
I would hope that if a policy was proposed that your religious faith prevents you from actively supporting, that you would also respect the laws and rights of United States citizens who do not share your religious convictions and abstain altogether from participating in the promotion or dissent of that policy which would suspend or limit the protections of the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution to any US Citizen. .
I will not move to effect, support and enact policies that would force my personal creeds to restrict or impede your rights, why would you?
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America"
Peace.
I suppose the real question comes down to whether a civil law should be made to ban something for religious reasons. I know my church (Catholic) does not recognize civil unions or justice of the peace marriages of any kind as being a legitimate Catholic marriage. I think that provides precedent that religious institutions do not have to be forced to recognize marriages as being within the laws of their religion that may be legally recognized by a secular government.