The big tent is shrinking almost to the point of
disappearing. When we were able to think our own thoughts, believe our own
beliefs, and speak pronouns according to our convictions, we were able to live
with one another with mutual respect, because we did not fear coercion and felt
safe and protected. Now, we no longer feel safe, and so we have retreated to
our own safe places where we can speak freely because everyone thinks as we do.
This has created division, antagonism, and distrust of the system.
California has just passed another resolution which can only
serve to heighten distrust and division:
·
Lawmakers in California have passed a resolution
that singles out the state’s religious communities and forces them to fully
support LGBT individuals. https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/will-maule/california-lawmakers-pass-resolution-blaming-religious-people-for-high-suicide-rates-in-the-lgbt-community.html
The resolution reads:
·
“the Legislature calls upon all Californians to
embrace the individual and social benefits of family and community acceptance”
of LGBT people. The document unapologetically pins blame on people of faith for
being contributors to the sky-rocketing suicide rates among the gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender community.
The bill further reads:
·
“The stigma associated with being LGBT often
created by groups in society, including therapists and religious groups, has
caused disproportionately high rates of suicide, attempted suicide, depression,
rejection, and isolation amongst LGBT and questioning individuals…”
While the bill expresses concern for the marginalization and
stigmatization of the LGBT communities, it doesn’t seem to be at all concerned
that it is stigmatizing “religious” communities.
But are these groups stigmatizing LGBTs? According to
Christian theory, we all have the responsibility to turn from our sins, and
none of us are sinless. Is this stigmatization? Hardly! Instead, the bill isn’t
calling-out Islam for actually murdering LGBTs. Without this, we are left
wondering whether the bill is truly concerned about the welfare of LGBTs.
Another aspect of this bill also causes us to wonder. The
negative consequences associated with LGBT lifestyles are being attributed to
“religious groups” without supportive evidences. Are these groups also
responsible for homosexual domestic violence and their attenuated lifespans?
Hardly! These costs, among others, cannot
possibly be attributed to those “religious groups.” Such blame represents the
height of injustice. Where is the evidence that indicates “probable cause” to
indict entire groups of innocent people? If anything, the evidence indicates
that these alternative lifestyles are inherently self-destructive. Numerous
ex-gays have even confessed that they knew that what they had been doing was
wrong and felt ashamed. Consequently, the high rates of mental health and
substance abuse issues!
Instead of blaming Christian teachings on sexual behavior
for LGBT outcomes, it would be more fruitful to investigate the possible connection
between our human nature and the shame we experience when we violate it. This
connection shouldn’t seem far-fetched. After all, it is obvious that our nature
causes us to feel guilty when we wrong someone and good when we help them. It’s
called “conscience.”
Instead, it is the Christians and ex-gays who are being systematically
stigmatized and victimized. However, they are not jumping off bridges and
OD-ing on substances. This might seem like crude language, but the stakes are
high and straight-forward language is scarce.
If these California legislators are truly concerned about
the welfare of LGBTs, they should encourage impartial research to ascertain the
real causes of suicide and the many other costs of alternative sexual
lifestyles.
Instead, this bill will further silence any real discussion
of the issues, even at the expense of our 1st Amendment rights and create a new
class of the disenfranchised.
If they are truly concerned about stigmatization, why don’t
they also include adulterers, incest practitioners, and pedophiles among their
protected categories of people? Why not raise children for sexual predation? It
seems that, for now, protecting these three groups isn’t yet PC.
The methods of the pro-LGBT advocates seem to be unhinged
from any concerns about justice, equal protection under the law, truth,
morality, and even concerns about the welfare and unity of the nation. These
advocates resemble spoiled teenagers who will do whatever it takes to get what
they want right now.
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