I usually keep quiet on political issues. I do this for several reasons. The most important reason is I just don’t
like political debate and I tend to have intolerance for those with differing
political views. The secondary reason is
what I do for a living: it is important
to keep neutral so that people will feel comfortable, either in a therapy
session or in our retail store, no matter what their beliefs , lifestyle or
sins happen to be.
However, I can no longer keep quiet. What my opinions are may not be popular in
Oklahoma and beyond. Those who know me
well, however, know that I am not known for saying what’s popular or for
keeping my opinions to myself.
If I thought that I ever benefitted from someone believing
that I agreed with their beliefs that potentially discriminate against people
whom I hold near and dear, I could not live with myself. So, here are my opinions about homosexuality,
gay marriage and businesses that publicly espouse ideas that feed hatred and
discrimination.
First of all, if you are against gay marriage, then I
suggest you do not marry a gay person. I
see no reason to take that much of a stand on the issue, except to say, I can’t
imagine an argument against a loving committed partner in a relationship being
entitled to the legal status that comes with being married. I invite anyone to tell me how this could
affect me negatively.
I do support freedom of speech. When that freedom invites others to be divisive,
hateful and promote discrimination, then I will not support the business that
espouses that hate.
I am a Christian, though at times I question whether
Christian beliefs fit with my view of the world. I am no Bible scholar, so I offer the article
by someone who is. “What the New Testament Says about
Homosexuality” http://www.westarinstitute.org/Periodicals/4R_Articles/homosexuality.html. Read if you care to, I believe it offers a
learned opinion on the subject.
I believe being a Christian means being loving and kind,
even to those who have beliefs that differ from mine. I believe it means supporting others who are
loving and kind. In my opinion, gay
marriage supports this.
If you believe that gay people are diabolical and evil, then
you do not know the gay couples that I know, some of whom are the best parents
I’ve ever encountered. That may not have
given birth to those children, but they do something, that in some ways is nobler,
they are foster parents and adoptive parents to children whose birth parents
have abused, abandoned or given up on them.
If you believe that gay people need God’s intervention, then pray for
them. Ask for God’s will to be done and
then leave it in God’s hands. That is
what I will do for those who promote hatred of any of God’s children.
