LGBTQ+ Rights and Religion

I believe Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council blamed not only non-heterosexuals, but also non-Christians and pro-choicers. We didn't actually do it, just created an atmosphere lacking in self-control allowing it to happen.

I'm totally sure that at atmosphere of repression and regulation would magically make him not want to kill people. *Rolls eyes*

Either way no matter which side the culture was leaning towards at the time neither would have prevented this. Just another politician trying to push an agenda using a tragedy.

edited 22nd Apr '13 9:22:17 AM by Wildcard

Tony Perkins needs to get his head out of his ass and maybe learn something.

As much a proponent of free speech as I am, I really think there needs to be a fine for saying dumbass shit like "God did whatever because of this group of people I don't like."

Fucking hypocrites all of them.

Well, on the bright side, Nobody listens to Tony perkins except idiots who agree with him.

There is that.

As much as I disagree that religion is the cause of all the worlds ills or anything I do have a question for anybody in this thread. Do you think a lot of the people who are anti-gay rights are motivated by their religion? Or do you think they would oppose it even without their religion saying they were against it?

edited 22nd Apr '13 10:31:26 AM by Wildcard

Zealotry is the single greatest source of human misery through out history, and unfortunately Religion is biggest source of Zealotry.

They probably wouldn't oppose it as viciously, but I think there'd still be a Squick factor.

I think L Mage nailed it.

Yeah that is a good point.

Yeah. Religion in itself isnt at fault. Hell. By all historical accounts, Jesus' reaction to gay people being in love would at worst be giving them a hug and a wish for a happy life for them.

On the other hand, the most zealous of christians tend to ignore any part of their religious doctrine that doesnt jive with their zeal.

Pretty much. Most of the homophobic asshattery in middle/high school wasn't from religious kids, it was from dudebros who thought their penis would fall off if they caught the ghey.

Granted, the Pacific Northwest isn't known for its overwhelming majority of fundies like the Southeast.

Yeah. here in the midwest it pretty much has to do with the "masculine as fuck I have a truck, drink beer, and work a hard work job because blue collar is awesome" stereotype that tends to make a lot of kids make fun of gays (and artists/theatrical types/nerds) for not being manly enough.

I always found that funny.

Needless to say I am dating an artistic writer who looks lean until he takes off his jacket and you see he is ripped out with a couple of black belts.

Religion can encourage squicky crap depending on what gender roles it endorses.

What historical accounts?

Its a culture identity thing. When you live in the rural midwest, the archtypical "manly man" is a guy who wears cowboy boots, works hard 10 hours a day at some form of manual labor, prays to jesus dare i say it, religiously, and takes part only in the kind of mischief expected of "country boys" (Ie, riding around in trucks, screwing girls (in trucks), blaring george strait at 9000 decibels, drinking at the bar with your buds)

Any deviation from that sort of life doesnt get excused by the local populace. Hence why drinking to excess or "Raising Cain" in the backwoods is acceptable teen or young adult behavior, while being non-social or interested in esoteric stuff or being interested in your own gender is somewhat..not as accepted.

edited 22nd Apr '13 2:27:26 PM by Midgetsnowman

Wow, that is a thing that happens? Like, outside of shallow stereotypes in stupid movies?

If even a third of the stories of my father's and uncle's teenage capers are true, yes.

I live in Arkansas. I know the good old boy mentality well.

My boyfriend used to be teased and harassed for not being their comfort type. He doesn't get much harassment anymore because both physically and academically he is more proficient than them.

Most attitudes about harassing those who don't fit in to such narrow and stupid expectations here in the south can be traced to religious gender roles. So even if we completely erased homosexuality as a sin, religious gender roles will maintain the quick factor

@Ninety: yes. Good ol boys do exist. Lots of them.

The movies are unfortunately either quite accurate or helped mold that into a cultural norm.

edited 22nd Apr '13 2:56:45 PM by Midgetsnowman

In a semi-related topic to the matter at hand: are all or most of you American?

Yep.

Born in California. Dragged to Missouri by homesick mama when I was a babeh.

Father's from mexico, so there is that.

Yup. New Englander here.

Nae laddie.

Ah'm frae Scotland, meself. God's country.

edited 22nd Apr '13 3:00:21 PM by Achaemenid

Naturalized American. I was born in Ireland.