IMNSHO: Freedom of religion and Ref 71

[christopher575]

If your pastor has asked you to reject Referendum 71 in Washington, he is truly doing you and the rest of your congregation a huge disservice. An attempt to deny gay people domestic partnership rights for religious reasons is a step backward from protecting freedom of religion. Why? Because the rights and responsibilities you already enjoy aren't granted to you by the bible, they're granted by the constitution. If you vote to deny others those same rights based on your religion, you're imposing your religious beliefs on them. You're guaranteed the right to practice your religion, not to make everyone else abide by it.

So what does it mean for you if you force others to follow your religion? That it's ok for them to try to take your religious freedom away, too. You have an obligation to protect your freedom to practice religion as you see fit, and when you impose your religious beliefs upon others, you're doing the opposite of that. This is a truly dangerous form of hypocrisy, and it doesn't take a very complicated hypothetical thought exercise to put it in perspective for yourself. All you have to ask is, what if it were me? 

I'm sure it's difficult with your support network and all the love you feel to step back and imagine what it would be like if it were used against you, but I'd really appreciate it if you would. 

Comments

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

*applause*

[eskanto]

THIS.

[tiff-seattle.livejournal.com]

It should also be noted that if they are claiming 501 (c) 3 status, they are not allowed to participate in political campaigns, according to the IRS. I am not sure if Mars Hill claims 501 C 3, but if they do, they need to knock off political campaigning.

[theropod.livejournal.com]

People forget: separation of church and state exists for the protection of the church as well as that of the state.

[hardvice.livejournal.com]

Well put.

Related: I am frequently flabbergasted to see some religious people claim they are being persecuted for their beliefs whenever they are not allowed to use the law to force said beliefs onto others. That takes a special kind of chutzpah.

There really is religious discrimination in this country. There really are religious people whose practices are unconstitutionally prohibited by law. But if you are a Christian, it is not happening to you.

Another point that gets conveniently ignored: lots of religious institutions also serve as secular agents. When they are engaged in secular activities, they are as bound by laws as anyone. Making a church obtain a building permit is not discrimination. Making them obey product safety laws is not discrimination. And making them obey adoption agency regulations or antidiscrimination in public accommodations regulations is not discrimination. Running an adoption agency or renting out your annex or hiring an administrator is not a religious activity.

[meowlet.livejournal.com]

It's always funny to me in a sick way that Christians feel generally persecuted when you can't even be non-Christian and win a presidential race in this country.
KIND OF A MAJORITY HI

There are people who dismiss religious folk as crazies, period. That I could sympathize with. Although I'm not religious.

[crushdmb.livejournal.com]

can i add you? :D

[christopher575.livejournal.com]

haha I was just over on your page saying basically the same thing

[crushdmb.livejournal.com]

It's meant to be lol

[christopher575.livejournal.com]

BTW I am originally from Albuquerque. Four corners reprazent!

[crushdmb.livejournal.com]

niiiice! i've only been to Albuquerque once and have NEVER visited four corners lol.

But I'm an AZ native and have never been to the grand canyon soooo.

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

Arizona here, too! Escaped in 1992, thankfully.

[crushdmb.livejournal.com]

I like Arizona! I grew up in Parker, which is near Lake Havasu, but have lived in Phoenix for the last 9 years. I'm not hard to please, though; I'm used to the heat, so that doesn't bother me, and as long as I have a good group of friends, I am happy anywhere ;)

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

Oh, well forgive me when I bitch about it then! Ha. Seattle saved my life!

[crushdmb.livejournal.com]

Where in AZ did you live? Where you born here?

And I get it's not for everyone.

Plus compared to my home town, Phoenix is amaazzzing hahaha. I also love the desert landscape.

I live in Central Phoenix, in a little liberal bubble with lots of liberal heathen friends.

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

Born in Phoenix, raised in Scottsdale (right by the border of Tempe actually).

[crushdmb.livejournal.com]

Hah! Mind if I ask what you hated about it?

I'm lucky that I have such an amazing group of friends. They saved me. But I'm from Parker. Soooo.

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

HEAT. And this was back in the stone age when it was just a vast desert wasteland.
But seriously, I just can't stand the heat.

[crushdmb.livejournal.com]

hahaha!! where i'm from is HOTTER.

i didn't even get a car until last year. i went 8 years living in phoenix taking public transportation and walking. i don't have roommates, so it was all me.

but i was born august 9th in lake havasu city, it was probably 120 degrees out.

[crushdmb.livejournal.com]

also, bigots bring people together! awwww.

[chunkems.livejournal.com]

very, very well said.

[gavin.livejournal.com]

Bravo.

[meowlet.livejournal.com]

Good points.

[palomar.livejournal.com]

yes. this. times one thousand.