Thoughts on Intolerance

I can't really comment on specifics regarding Anne Rice's statements on same-sex marriage this week.  Mainly because I haven't read them, I did see a brief portion of an interview in which she explained them.

She said in that interview that she didn't see anything in the Bible that called for the persecution of gays.

And she is absolutely right.  However that statement sets up the false argument that Christians are calling for the persecution of gays.

I missed that call.

Has persecution now been downgraded? 

Intolerance has traditionally been a term related to Christianity  - only Christians are usually on the receiving end of tolerance or intolerance.

I am pretty sure that everyone that is against the legal endorsement of same-sex marriage is not necessarily Christian.  That's just an easy label to slap onto the argument.  After all, Christians and "gun-toting red-necks" are about the only groups that societal constraints still allow us to criticize.

What I see afoot is the powers that be trying to silence Christians.  It's okay to hold strong beliefs, so long as those beliefs are kept to one's self.

When courts over rule the lawful decisions of a community over and over again (as is the case in California)
 . . . doesn't that sound more like persecution?

Disagreeing with someone or something does not equal hatred, but throwing out terms like that: hatred, persecution, intolerance  - does kind of shut down public discourse.

I believe that our nation was formed upon - and has enjoyed her long history because of -  Christian principles.  Those principles were arrived at after much public debate and reasoning.  Men spent time in prayer, study and soul searching and then published their beliefs.  Others who had spent equal time in contemplation would then argue for or against those published beliefs.

I believe it was the Sovereign Hand of God that guided those public conversations and the hearts of men until they arrived at His purpose.  Not because this nation had earned it, but because we wanted what He wanted: His best.

And His purpose was what was best for us.

I may be wrong.  But without public discourse and the expression of ideas . . . it is more likely that I will remain unconvinced of my error.

Anne Rice can say whatever she wants, but why don't we require sound arguments supporting one's statements anymore? 

Why don't we allow debate?

What are we afraid of?