is the way it is used to short-circuit debate and give people cover for despicable attitudes. The Bible is a lot of things -- a bit of history a bit of law, a lot of mythology. It all used to be of a piece. Which means that it's also the accretion of every horrendous idea ancient society ever had. Slavery. Misogyny. Genocide. We all know that, so "belief" doesn't fly as cover for supporting evil. Every time this comes up, we all should do as you did, and insist that people back up their moral and ethical positions with something more than a naked assertion that "It's in the Bible." So's stoning people for skipping church, etc. Either the Bible is wrong or they're reading it wrong. Doesn't matter which.

What you wrote was truly concise, logical, from the heart and incredibly persuasive. It is not easy to get in the ring and discuss religion. People get so offended. However, you did it with compassion and grace.

That point--about people cherry picking the Bible is such a good one. The Bible does promote slavery and a host of other bizarre, weird and outrageous ideas and actions. When you point out these things--and ask people if they also follow these items in the Bible--it is powerful.

They cannot deny it. They are faced with the truth--that they follow some things and that other things are ridiculous. This is truly a watershed moment for many, not just with the gay marriage issue. They begin to question everything.

Facebook is a powerful medium. It is the virtual water cooler where so many get information. I am trying so hard to be more vocal. I really think Facebook is one of the most potent communication mediums available today. Because it is peers, friends and family discussing with one another. If we add to the conversation, we may not persuade, but at least we let others know that these opinions are out there. One Facebook post could convince someone that they are not alone and that it is ok to feel this way too. Right wing hate radio has such a resounding presence, and it warps people's perceptions about what is thought and believed in this country.

Facebook plows through all of that.

I applaud you and I hope you continue to do so. I will as well!

Didn't Anne Lamott say something to the effect that you truly know you have made God in your own image when it turns out God hates all the same people as you do. Or something really similar.

Diane
Anishinaabe in MI

It includes all of these:

I then decided to cut it down to what I have above. Thanks for bringing this part up!

the past tense of the word prejudice, which is prejudiced.

Getting something that basic wrong is a bit jarring.

And growing up constantly being told I spelled something "that basic" wrong was a bit jarring for me too. In fact I went through years of low self esteem and depression before I realized I wasn't dumb. I appreciate being told I spelled something wrong so I won't do it again when it's done in a kind, un-demeaning way. Sorry if I am jumpy on this but these emotions go way back and are pretty powerful.

I should think more carefully before I post such a thing. I hope I can be forgiven, or at least my comment ignored.

thanks for the post. if it waddles like a duck, talk likes a duck, then its a duck . quack . quack. i loved your measured response to this person .

Slavery involves using people like animals. Removing their natural rights.

Opposing gay marriage is just moralizing and keeping them from getting benefits govt. gives to married couples.

Tikki

There are many variations in the Bible describing polygamy, concubines etc.

Todays definition of marriage is: an official union between two people who love each other.

Traditions change.

Noooooooooo!

that hid this post 6-0. What a bigoted asshole this poster is.

Now we can play which jury number was Aerows.


JURY RESULTS

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sun Sep 2, 2012, 09:39 PM, and the Jury voted 6-0 to HIDE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT and said: Seems that the poster is using a typical RW argument that allowing gay people to get married is creating a new right and being against gay marriage does not make one homophobic. Neither of these things are true.
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT and said: Eloquent bigotry.
Juror #3 voted to HIDE IT and said: Homophobic bible banging troll? Check.
Juror #4 voted to HIDE IT and said: Another homophobic bigot making excuses to justify their hatred of gays.
Juror #5 voted to HIDE IT and said: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT and said: Oh no you didn't go there. You just happened to have a lesbian on the jury. It is EXACTLY the same type of prejudices. And by the way, if you can end the validity of one marriage (same-sex), don't think the ending of the validity of an interracial marriage isn't possible or next. Horseshit.

That is equal rights, and it is fairness. The people whose noses are bent out of shape at the scary prospect of two men or two women theyve never met, being able to get married, need to grow the fuck up.

Pretty much says it.

--imm

most sensible post on this subject yet.

I was pointing out that many Christians hide behind the Bible to decide what is moral and what is not and I used two instances in history to show how they have done this and how free though can be used to combat this type of evil thinking. Keep in mind however that quite a few Gays have been lynched in recent years which to that person who was being killed must have seemed just as horrific as a slave being lynched. In the eyes of a bigot gays get treated just as harshly as the blacks were / sometimes still are.

Usually these fanatic Bible cherry-pickers haven't even bothered to read the rest of Leviticus, much less remember it.

And never eat pork again. Those are also in the Bible.