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I found it extremely moving and asked him if I might post it here. He agreed and here it is. To me it seems so easy to understand, but with gays in Michigan being attacked (and the supporters of Prop 2 said they had no intention of attacking same-sex benefits-riiiiight), I thought it especially poignant. I fear for our gay and lesbian friends in this atmosphere, I truly do.
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As an older Gay person living in an increasingly unfriendly right-wing environment of self righteous arrogance, I feel compelled to make a few remarks on morality. I shall do so speaking for myself and my companion of over 40 years. We are both more than a little confused by the conflicting and contradictory pronouncements regarding "values", and would like to express why we are confused:
We are politically Liberal/Progressive. We love our country, and its founding concepts of liberty and equal justice under the law. We would therefore never suggest under any circumstances that folks who have a different sexual orientation from ours be disallowed the respect and benefits of legal union.
Yet there are those who say we are immoral selfish hedonists.
As Atheists/Agnostics, we do not indulge in the concept of God as a humanoid being. Such disconnection from religion does not prevent us from holding strong beliefs in forgiveness and redemption, and in Love as the salvation of human kind. We would therefore never suggest the practice of any religion or belief system different from ours be forbidden, or publicly vilified, or given a lower status than our philosophy.
Yet there who those who say we are immoral persecutors of the faithful.
We live our lives according to a code given to us by our progenitors and our own thinking apparatuses. We do not lie, cheat, steal, or consciously hurt our fellow earthly creatures. We would therefore never impugn anyone's character in order to gain political advantage or power. We would never accept riches at the expense of the impoverished. We reject gluttony, avarice, usury and all the evils and excesses of unfettered capitalism.
Yet there are those who say we are immoral shredders of the fabric of society.
We believe that we the people are the government, and that it is our duty and privilege to participate. We therefore would never suggest that any of our fellow citizens be denied the right to vote or have full access to representation no matter how different their views were from ours.
Yet there are those who say we are immoral anti-American subversives.
We believe war is evil and should only be used as a last resort in defense of our homeland. We are also against the death penalty , as well as punitive resolution of human error in general. We believe it is better to prevent crime and war than to react vengefully to their bitter harvests. We therefore would never condone our tax dollars being used for more prisons than schools or more weaponry than food.
Yet there are those who say we are immoral haters of humanity.
We believe that a woman has the right to control her own body and to seek help for her own emotional needs. We believe , like the early Christians , that aborting the progress of a developing fetus before consciousness is attained is not worse than being concerned for the health and welfare of the mother. We also believe that every child should enter this world being wanted . We would therefore never prevent a woman from choosing to end a pregnancy she did not desire.
Yet there are those who say we are immoral murderers of babies.
We believe that an adult and healthy understanding of human behavior allows for joyful sexual freedom amongst consensual and equal partners. We also believe it is reasonable to expect responsible behavior in such matters. Children are not in any way to be sexual objects of any adult. We believe children must experience love with no strings attached, and be free from exploitation of any kind. We therefore would never deny any young person full knowledge of human reproduction and sexuality .
Yet there are those who say we are the immoral corrupters of youth.
What is the source of this massive inversion of good and evil? Is it the members of churches, temples, and mosques? Why would such a current of hateful misinformation run through the religious communities- drowning out the steady flame of goodness and love at the core of their creeds? Why are the fanatics who condemn us blinded by the peripheral man-made confusions infesting their theologies? If one believed in gods in the way fundamentalists do, one might suspect Satan for this vile trickery of diversion, but we are not of such a faith. The only cause we can see is the deadly combination of Fear&Ignorance. Further, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that these two evils--perhaps accompanied by Want-- are being purposely fostered by the powerful ruling class who currently run our government as well as our once free press. But who is looking in their direction? Who is questioning their "values" and exposing their hypocrisies? Who is demanding an accounting for their wanton disregard for the fate of humanity? Who, that is, besides those of us with a wee voice in the wilderness?
Rex
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