DISQUS

JS · 1 year ago

I think the one REAL difference between the "No" folks and the "Yes" folks is that they have completely different points of views and opinions (on THIS topic). I do not believe that the right has conducted itself in a more righteous way than the left.

Both compaigns have had failures, but within both movements you find people who are very passionate about what they believe and are fighting for it while treating with dignity those who disagree. There's nothing wrong with that.

The problem begins when people on one side begin to believe that they are better (more righteous even) than the other - not that their IDEAS are better (If we didn't believe our opinions were the best we'd change them).

I do believe though that Christians are held to a higher standard. It doesn't jive with God to say, "...well, i acted better than so-and-so on the other side of the fence..." I think God is so much more concerned with whether we conduct ourselves in a manner that is worthy of the price that was paid (recognizing that that same price was paid for the guy on the other side of the issue).

Brady · 1 year ago

Randy-- I see your point, but I don't think most in the far left would like to be associated with these antics any more than the far right would like to be included alongside people that call gays names.

For that matter, there have been quite a few (even very public) figures that have gone out of the way to use false and disparaging words against gay folks. Sadly, it really goes both ways.

Randy · 1 year ago

Thanks Brady. Have they been personal? If someone has keyed a gay couples car or painted swastikas on their signs ... call 'em out. I want to call all personal attacks out and denounce them.

Eileen Rife · 1 year ago

Thanks for keeping us informed through your insightful blog musings. As an adamant supporter of one man/one woman marriage for a lifetime, I applaud your courageous effort to get the word out to as many people as possible about Prop 8.

Brian · 1 year ago

Randy, seriously?

"Here is the one difference I see between the far left and the religious right [...] the far left attacks people personally … the religious right goes after issues."

People, across the political and religious spectrum, engage discourse and debate in differing ways. Jerry Fallwell blamed the attacks of Sept 11 on liberals, feminists and gays (people, not issues). Jim Wallis speaks exclusively to issues, refusing to endorse candidates. Someone wrote "bigot" on a car in that picture, I met an young man at CMU recently who very respectfully told me that he believed homosexuality to be sinful.

People are individuals and making blanket generalizations is neither accurate nor productive.

Rather, in making sure I'm on the lookout for specks in my own eye, I gently remind my (straight) college roommate that punching a wall when he sees a Yes On 8 ad is not going to help anything. I make sure that none of my friends rip out yard signs (even when they've had their own ripped out). And I look for connection with those who hold differing opinions on marriage equality. Am I perfect? Absolutely not. Thank God (literally), that Christ has done the hard work of redemption and reconciliation for us! I feel so blessed with the gift of grace that I look--even during this emotional election--to pass that on to others. Loving them as I would be loved. I never want to be lumped into a group and defined by the actions of others. Dear God, let me never do that to others.

Randy · 1 year ago

That's nice Brian.

As someone who is personally attacked because I simply believe that calling Christ "Savior" also means that he redeemed me from sexual sin ... I know for a personal fact that the left goes after people by name far more than the right (nowadays.)

I am glad you seem to want to be different.

B.T.Carolus · 1 year ago

While I do think that the prop 8 supporters have done their best to run a respectful campaign, I also have heard a lot of people complaining about having their 'no on 8' signs stolen. So obviously our noses aren't perfectly clean. As the clerk at my favorite music store was pointing out, "Republicans are supposed to be the party that respects private property rights, so why are they stealing my yard signs?"

I also was with my sister and a few of her high school friends (none of them can vote) and a couple of the boys made the comments, "Don't vote for Obama," and "Yeah, because he's for fruit." It that's the main reason you're against Obama, and the only way you can express it (or your parents have taught/allowed you to express it), then you've probably got a problem with respecting other people.

Randy · 1 year ago

That's true. I saw some video where a BUNCH of people on both sides were acting like fools. It's awful.

Randy · 1 year ago

That's true. I saw some video where a BUNCH of people on both sides were acting like fools. It's awful.

Randy · 1 year ago

That's nice Brian.

As someone who is personally attacked because I simply believe that calling Christ "Savior" also means that he redeemed me from sexual sin ... I know for a personal fact that the left goes after people by name far more than the right (nowadays.)

I am glad you seem to want to be different.

Randy · 1 year ago

Thanks Brady. Have they been personal? If someone has keyed a gay couples car or painted swastikas on their signs ... call 'em out. I want to call all personal attacks out and denounce them.

B.T.Carolus · 1 year ago

I now have a weird 'yes on 8' sign story. Some unknown person put a pile of ten yes on 8 signs on our front lawn last night. I have no idea who, or why, they just did. I also have no idea where the signs came from, since I don't think there was a single sign in our particular track of houses. I think they may have chosen our house because it is the at the far end of a cul-de-sac.

Randy · 1 year ago

wow. It sounds like someone stole a bunch of them and wanted to ditch them somewhere. Maybe they got nervous and wanted to get rid of them quick.

OR maybe ...

An alien tractor beamed them into his ship thinking they were some sort of battery he could use to phone home. When they didn't work he just ejected them onto your lawn.

OR maybe ...

An itty bitty pro-gay tornado whipped through a housing development four miles away and then went on a rampage your way and then saw how intelligent you are and dropped everything in awe?

I am thinking it was probably the third option. :)

B.T.Carolus · 1 year ago

Thanks Randy, yes I'm sure the third option is exactly what happened. :)

Jonathan · 1 year ago

Thank you! That so amused me..I needed that!

Rose · 1 year ago

Randy, did you see this blog post? Sorry if it's been linked to before.

http://pomoprophet.blogspot.com/2008/11/this-is...