I am a big proponent of free speech. Clearly I am out here exercising my own on a regular basis. I have demonstrated publicly. I have defended the right of others to say things I strongly disagree with. But what some people do with that right baffles me.
I don't mean those who clearly abuse it, using their right to rain down hate on others, or try to use their stronger voices to shout down dissent. Everyone can see that's wrong.
This is an example - Bigg Bill sent me this story about the recent confrontation between a small Christian group in the Castro and angry homosexual men. Of course, these Castro residents were wrong to scream and shout down the small band of Christians. Especially since the Christians go their all the time to sing and pray and their appearance on that particular night had nothing to do with the Prop 8/gay marriage controversy. The behavior of the Castro residents was completely hypocritical. Screaming and harassing and intimidating a smaller group - it's disgusting.
But the part I don't get is why the Christians were there in the first place.
Yes, I know it's their right to be in the Castro and say and do anything they want. But why? Why go just to agitate? Why are they down there in the first place? I have never understood the whole proselytizing thing. I have never opened up a random conversation with a stranger by telling them why they need to know about my religion. I have never tried to convince someone to become Catholic. I think it is the height of arrogance to tell someone that they should conform to your belief in God. The way I was raised was that my faith was my business......and yours.....was your business...
My first thought when I heard about this was that scene from Kentucky Fried Movie.
ReplyDeleteLOL, no Nick, I don't think those Christians were there for a thrill.
ReplyDeleteBut funny movie, thaknks for reminding me.
I don't believe that the Christians should have been attacked either, as they were exercising their First Amendment rights. Christians go down to the Castro District to sing and pray so they can save gays' souls and make them "straight." Prior to Prop 8, everyone just accepted each other.
ReplyDeleteFor once, I agree with Michelle Malkin. I understand the Gay Community's legitimate anger, but their violence solves nothing.
There were huge demonstrations in front of the Morman Temple in Los Angeles, which donated millions of dollars to the Yes on 8 campaign. However, the fight to overturn Proposition 8 is not over—from the L.A. Times: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said publicly that he expects and hopes that the state high court will reject Proposition 8. Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, whose office must defend it, opposed the measure, and 44 legislators have called on the court to overturn it.
The only one who makes sense in this post is you, Maggie. I think it is the height of arrogance to tell someone that they should conform to your belief in God. The way I was raised was that my faith was my business......and yours.....was your business...
We couldn't agree more. I feel the same way about same-sex marriage, but hatred and physical attacks on others is counterproductive.