all this talk post prop eight has stirred up interesting conversations for me-- different view points, different ideas. one consistent thing, however, is that i keep hearing people say some of the following:
"it's not that i don't like gay people, it's just that.."
"i am completely tolerant, but.."
"..and please, i have a gay aunt.. i am very tolerant!"
"being tolerant of others' sin is not what we are called to do. we are called to love."
"i have plenty of gay friends, but.."*
i am no expert: that's for sure. however, a thought for the wise (that's us!): perhaps we want to adjust our language choice a bit? find a new way. reframe what we are communicating. take these words and sentences out of our conversation. it might, just might, actually seem like we are tolerant. which in turn, might lead to tolerance. self-fulfilling prophecy, anyone? and, just out of curiosity, what is the problem with admitting our intolerance? fear? embarrassment? or are we blind to it? i have a feeling i am blind to it.
*by the way, if any of you got your underwear (because i don't use the P word) all bunched (or twisted) up when you read this: i AM NOT grouping together or exclusively referring to people who voted yes on eight-- these conversations included even people who voted no. what i am talking about, however, is language choice. okay, moving on.
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