I didn't vote yesterday, but had a great conversation about persecution of "Selective Sins."
My precinct votes at a local church, and it turned out we literally had NOTHING to vote for, so even though I showed up, I didn't end up voting yesterday.
But I did get into a nice discussion with the minister of the church about whether his congregation was 'conservative' or not. He told me (very politely and respectfully) that his church was "bible based" with "old and new testament" concepts.
So I smiled, very politely and respectfully, and asked if they stoned a lot of people for sex outside of marriage.
We both chuckled politely, and he said no. So I asked if they were open to performing gay marriages if/when they become legal in our state.
He said (again, very courteously) that every couple who asks to marry in the church has to go through pre-marital counseling, and that since the bible has specific guidelines about morality, probably not.
So I asked if he also refused to marry people who had premarital sex? Or whether people who committed adultery were welcome in his church? And then I *ever so politely* pointed out that according to the Bible, we are *all* sinners, so if he didn't want the sinners in his church, it would probably be pretty empty.
And he looked thoughtful, and chuckled a little. I followed it up with a very firm statement (keep in mind that my six-year old twins were being Very Bored in the backseat of the car - he was standing at my window while I was in the driver's seat) that I have a young relative who is gay, and I want him to have equal rights, and I am not interested in raising my children with the idea that "his sins" are worse than anyone else's, and I fully expect him to find a good partner, get married, and raise his children / pay his taxes just like any other adult in the community.
Like I said, he looked thoughtful. Not sure if it made a difference or not, but the conversation moved into the support his church offers for the WIC program and other outreach / charitable efforts (community garden!) for people struggling financially.
It is an old church. We were both polite. He seemed nice.
My little moment of activism.....
= new reply since forum marked as read
Which is how he started with the "we are a conservative church."
I'm not gay, but people I love *are*, and I support equal rights for everyone (regardless of whether I love them or not - lol!).
I am doing my best to raise my children with respect for different religious beliefs / traditions, but I will *NOT* raise them to practice/respect misogyny or homophobia.
I hope he looked at my children, and realized he couldn't share his "good news" with them if I wasn't willing to expose them to "selective persecution of sin" concepts.
Hoping it got through a little...
I think it made it easier for him to hear.
At least I hope so....
And yet positive posts like yours so often sink like a stone?
When people like something, they just smile and keep reading.
It is the "OH MY GOODNESS - HOW WRONG CAN YOU BE?!?!?!?" posts that get our blood boiling and engaged. (I've started a few of those over the years - lol!)
Sometimes we learn something. Sometimes we teach. Either way, we get to interact with others, let off some steam, and be reminded of our shared values (and sometimes the ones we disagree with).
I try not to take it personally. I just hope beyond words that if we keep putting "equality for all" thoughts out there ("THIS is the new normal!"
that it will eventually become so common place our children will look askance at the old folks who don't think the same way.....
My prayer, anyway. I want to attend my young relative's wedding to a good person. It is my honor and privilege to support equality for all.