Saturday 21 June 2014

Same-Sex Marriage

Many thanks to my good friend Annie for allowing me to share her rant on this subject, which exactly matches my own personal opinion.  If you have a problem with it, well, nobody has the right to dictate how another person should love.

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I am still surprised sometimes when a person I know makes a derogatory comment about same sex couples/marriage.  I suppose I should be used to hearing ignorant comments by now, but I guess I'm still a bit naive.  You see, I just don't see what the big deal is.

It's none of my business what people choose to do in the privacy of their own homes, just as it is none of their business what I do.  As long as it is two consenting adults and no one gets hurt, why should I care?   How does what THEY choose to do affect me or my daughter?

"But you'd have a different opinion if your daughter said she was a lesbian!"

No, I wouldn't.

In fact, my daughter and I have had this discussion already.  She asked me what I would do if she told me she was a lesbian.  I told her I wouldn't care who she dated, as long as the person treated her with respect and wasn't abusive... and wasn't a Ferengi.  Yes, I admit it... I'm a bit of a racist.  I wouldn't have a problem with a Vulcan or a Klingon, but no daughter of mine is going to date a Ferengi!

Love is love.  If you fall in love with a person because of their skin colour, gender, wealth, or appearance, in my opinion, you are not falling in love with that person, but rather their skin/money/beauty/etc.  Love goes beyond physical attributes and material possessions.  Real love is deeper than that.

Now, I'm not talking about having sex.  People have sex all the time.  I'm talking about two people who choose to spend their lives together.  Two people who love each other for who they are.  Why should it matter if it is two women, two men, or a man and woman?

"The Bible says it's an abomination!"

Really?  The Bible also says eating pork is wrong, yet I see you have no problem with eating bacon.  The Bible also says tattoos and mixed fabric clothing is wrong too.  I have a few tattoos, are you going to condemn me as well?  How about selling your daughter into slavery so that you can get out of your debt?  The Bible says that's okay.  Oh, and since you want to follow the Bible and all its teachings, you'd better stop shaving!  Yep, the Bible says that women should not shave... so hairy pits and legs are good.   BTW... I'll make sure not to contact you on Sunday mornings, as you'll obviously be in church at that time.

What?  Don't like all those "rules"?  Why not?  I thought you followed the Bible?  What do you mean you don't go to church every Sunday? Ooooh... I see, you follow the Bible when it supports your ignorance and intolerance.

I am so very thankful that there are a lot of Christians who actually DO take the teachings of the Bible to heart.  They have shown time and time again what it means to genuinely Love and practice their faith in their daily lives.  They Love everyone unconditionally, without wondering if they were gay, lesbian, bi, trans, straight, etc.  They follow what Jesus taught: to love each other, to love their neighbours, to help others, to treat others as they would like to be treated.

This post isn't about them.  I have several wonderful Christian friends who are great people.  One of them is a sweet Jehovah's Witness lady who comes by for a visit once a week or so.  Sure, we chat about the Bible and her beliefs, but we also chat about MY beliefs and we don't try to convince the other they are wrong for what they believe.  She knows I'm not about to be a JW convert, and I know she's not about to start lighting incense and meditating and practice Yoga any time soon.  So what?  She's a kind lady who treats me and my daughter with respect, and I'll show her the same.

The person this is about has been unfriended and I've explained why to that person.  Now, I know and understand that everyone has their own beliefs, and that's fine as long as it doesn't impact others and doesn't affect the way they treat other people.  I can understand disliking one particular person.  I dislike several people, too.  But to hate a whole group of people just because they are what YOU deem to be different is wrong and I simply can't remain quiet on that, and constantly making racist and homophobic comments and insults in front of people is a surefire way to rile me up.  Oh, and trying to laugh it off and say, "But I was just joking!" doesn't wash.
 
I want to make it clear, I'm not a Christian, but I do believe in those concepts: treat others the way I want to be treated and to help when I can.  It doesn't matter to me what gender a person is, what sexual orientation a person is; the ONLY thing that matters to me is how you treat me, my family, and others.

If you treat me with respect, I will treat you with respect.  Simple as that.
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1 comment:

  1. People are so judgmental and ignorant.I live in Nashville. Same sex couples are more accepted here in a bigger city. there will always be that small bunch of people that won't accept it or will make idiots of themselves making fun of it.

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