I hate it.
I realize that this in itself is somewhat hypocritical, as I have likely been hypocritical in the past. I also realize that it is inevitable, as it is part of human nature to be contradictory. But as a general thing, it is annoying, ridiculous, and many times avoidable.
One particular example of hypocrisy that annoys the hell out of me is that of oppressed minorities, such as the LGBT and Wiccan communities. Now, I do not mean to say that everyone is like this. But it is an attitude that is unfortunately common among those who are looked down on/shunned by the majority.
The attitude is this: a member of an oppressed minority being intolerant of members of accepted majorities.
I realize where this comes from. I understand it. I've had to fight it off myself. But think about it, just for a moment; if you, as a member of an oppressed minority, do not tolerate others, you're sinking to their level. You are no better than they are. The fact of the matter is that they can afford to be intolerant. They have the upper hand. But that does not, under any circumstances, give you the right to do the same back to them. It is irrevocably hypocritical to ask for tolerance while you yourself are intolerant.
Be tolerant. Don't sink down into the pit of intolerance. Let them learn from your example.
That's all I have to say about that.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Ranting
It's what I do.
This is a quick prequel post, as I already have a couple more things to rant/talk/rant about, just to inform anyone who may, for whatever reason, read this blog. (Lauren is awesome)
Any post whose title begins with the word "On" will probably be a rant.
Any post whose title begins with "So." will probably be a review of some sort.
Any post whose title begins with anything else could be anything.
So yeah. Just so's you know.
This is a quick prequel post, as I already have a couple more things to rant/talk/rant about, just to inform anyone who may, for whatever reason, read this blog. (Lauren is awesome)
Any post whose title begins with the word "On" will probably be a rant.
Any post whose title begins with "So." will probably be a review of some sort.
Any post whose title begins with anything else could be anything.
So yeah. Just so's you know.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
On being queer
This is mostly triggered by a series of arguments I had with a Christian friend (who will not be named) upon coming out to said friend.
First, foremost, and possibly most important; being gay is not a choice. It just isn't. Someone who is gay did not just wake up one morning and decide that he or she was going to be romantically/sexually interested in the same gender.
For one thing, there is genetic evidence that gay and straight people are wired differently. It's like having brown or black hair. Let's say you have brown eyes; how would you like it if someone came up and said you were going to hell because your eyes were brown? Really. It's the same.
Also, it's just stupid to think that someone would decide to be persecuted. That someone would decide to be shunned by many people in society. That someone would decide to give up their right to be with their loved one in a way that society would recognize. It's just stupid. Seriously.
I do not believe that someone's sexuality is something that can be changed. I suppose if you really tried, you could suppress that side of you, and maybe even convince yourself to be happy ignoring a part of who you are. Truly, though, I don't think it would change. It's wired into you.
Now, this is just something I want to get out there, because it's something I went through; if someone comes out to you, as a friend, they are looking for support. In a way, they need that support. They may be scared or uncertain, especially if you are the first they've come out to. Judging them and telling them they are going to hell does not help. Not a bit. So be supportive, please.
Let's assume, for a moment, that you can change your sexuality. Hypothetically. It shouldn't matter. It shouldn't. Because there is absolutely nothing wrong with being gay. Nothing. Nothing at all. It's just that society has placed that idea in our collective minds; the idea that somehow, love is not okay when it's between two men or two women. Love is love is love is fucking love, alright? Gender doesn't matter, not really.
Being queer doesn't make me who I am. It's a part of me, and one I am stubbornly proud of, but it does not define me. Don't define someone by who they love. For that matter, don't condemn someone for who they love, either.
By the way, this is the first time I have (somewhat) publicly outright said that I am, in fact, queer. I'm done hiding it. I am done worrying about what people might think, because "the people who mind don't matter, and the people who matter don't mind". Dr. Seuss was a wicked rhymester and a wise man.
So yeah. I'm here. I'm queer. Deal with it.
First, foremost, and possibly most important; being gay is not a choice. It just isn't. Someone who is gay did not just wake up one morning and decide that he or she was going to be romantically/sexually interested in the same gender.
For one thing, there is genetic evidence that gay and straight people are wired differently. It's like having brown or black hair. Let's say you have brown eyes; how would you like it if someone came up and said you were going to hell because your eyes were brown? Really. It's the same.
Also, it's just stupid to think that someone would decide to be persecuted. That someone would decide to be shunned by many people in society. That someone would decide to give up their right to be with their loved one in a way that society would recognize. It's just stupid. Seriously.
I do not believe that someone's sexuality is something that can be changed. I suppose if you really tried, you could suppress that side of you, and maybe even convince yourself to be happy ignoring a part of who you are. Truly, though, I don't think it would change. It's wired into you.
Now, this is just something I want to get out there, because it's something I went through; if someone comes out to you, as a friend, they are looking for support. In a way, they need that support. They may be scared or uncertain, especially if you are the first they've come out to. Judging them and telling them they are going to hell does not help. Not a bit. So be supportive, please.
Let's assume, for a moment, that you can change your sexuality. Hypothetically. It shouldn't matter. It shouldn't. Because there is absolutely nothing wrong with being gay. Nothing. Nothing at all. It's just that society has placed that idea in our collective minds; the idea that somehow, love is not okay when it's between two men or two women. Love is love is love is fucking love, alright? Gender doesn't matter, not really.
Being queer doesn't make me who I am. It's a part of me, and one I am stubbornly proud of, but it does not define me. Don't define someone by who they love. For that matter, don't condemn someone for who they love, either.
By the way, this is the first time I have (somewhat) publicly outright said that I am, in fact, queer. I'm done hiding it. I am done worrying about what people might think, because "the people who mind don't matter, and the people who matter don't mind". Dr. Seuss was a wicked rhymester and a wise man.
So yeah. I'm here. I'm queer. Deal with it.
On gay marriage
Okay, so. Gay marriage. Mm-hmm.
Frankly, most (if not all) of the arguments against legalizing it are complete bullshit. At least the ones I've heard, which will be reproduced below as best I can remember them. Shall I list the reasons why? Well, I don't see why not. (kudos to anyone who recognized that quote)
"Because the Bible condemns homosexuality."
Uh-huh. Hmm. Okay. I've got three words for that one.
I. DON'T. CARE.
America is not a theocracy. Supposedly, we pride ourselves on freedom of religion and beliefs. Supposedly. Ever heard of "separation of church and state"? Yeah. Yeah. Marriage is not purely religious, people. There's all sorts of legal stuff that comes with it. And gay people are entitled to it just as much as anyone else.
BESIDES, doesn't the Bible also to some extent condone slavery, as well as stoning people to death for various ridiculous offenses? It's outdated, people. You can't take it word for word.
"We would have to redefine marriage!"
Because this is just such a scary prospect. Let's see. Way back when, marriage was this: "A bond/contract/whatever between one man and however many wives he wanted". Then, it became this: "A bond between one consenting man and a woman who may or may not really consent". Then this: "A bond between one consenting white man and one marginally consenting white woman". Then: "A bond between a consenting man and woman of whatever race".
We've redefined it so many times before, and I'm pretty sure most Americans agree that those changes were for the better. So what's the problem now?
"If we allowed gay marriage, we'd have to allow such things as polygamy, bestiality, pedophilia, etc."
Um, no. Bestiality and pedophilia have no relation whatsoever to two consenting people wanting to get married. Also, a 'beast' can't sign a marriage contract, regardless.
As for polygamy; what's the big deal? If more than two people want to enter into a lasting, governmentally recognized bond, it is not our place to tell them that it's wrong! If they are okay with it, we should be too.
But how do we make sure people aren't forced into it, you might be thinking. My solution would be an age limit. Say, 18; when people are able to live on their own and under their own rules, away from the immediate influence of their family. I doubt anyone really wants to get married before then, anyway. But that's a totally different subject.
"Gay marriages are not valid because they don't produce children!"
Because we, with our overpacked orphanages, need more children! And also, if you're going to use that reasoning, then you better go stop those two old people from getting married, because they sure ain't producing any more kids! And that infertile guy; he can't marry, either!
Besides, gay parents who can get married are more likely to adopt children, thereby helping to empty those overpacked orphanages I mentioned earlier.
"Children need a male and female role model at home."
Bull. Single parents, anyone?
"Civil unions will work better. They have the same legal benefits, but without having to mess with the definition of marriage."
Separate but equal, right? Wrong. It didn't work for African-American schools during segregation. It won't work for gay marriage.
Yeah, so that's about it.
A couple of links that came to mind as I was doing this:
Jon Stewart taking Mike Huckabee apart regarding gay marriage
12 Reasons by GatorGSA
Frankly, most (if not all) of the arguments against legalizing it are complete bullshit. At least the ones I've heard, which will be reproduced below as best I can remember them. Shall I list the reasons why? Well, I don't see why not. (kudos to anyone who recognized that quote)
"Because the Bible condemns homosexuality."
Uh-huh. Hmm. Okay. I've got three words for that one.
I. DON'T. CARE.
America is not a theocracy. Supposedly, we pride ourselves on freedom of religion and beliefs. Supposedly. Ever heard of "separation of church and state"? Yeah. Yeah. Marriage is not purely religious, people. There's all sorts of legal stuff that comes with it. And gay people are entitled to it just as much as anyone else.
BESIDES, doesn't the Bible also to some extent condone slavery, as well as stoning people to death for various ridiculous offenses? It's outdated, people. You can't take it word for word.
"We would have to redefine marriage!"
Because this is just such a scary prospect. Let's see. Way back when, marriage was this: "A bond/contract/whatever between one man and however many wives he wanted". Then, it became this: "A bond between one consenting man and a woman who may or may not really consent". Then this: "A bond between one consenting white man and one marginally consenting white woman". Then: "A bond between a consenting man and woman of whatever race".
We've redefined it so many times before, and I'm pretty sure most Americans agree that those changes were for the better. So what's the problem now?
"If we allowed gay marriage, we'd have to allow such things as polygamy, bestiality, pedophilia, etc."
Um, no. Bestiality and pedophilia have no relation whatsoever to two consenting people wanting to get married. Also, a 'beast' can't sign a marriage contract, regardless.
As for polygamy; what's the big deal? If more than two people want to enter into a lasting, governmentally recognized bond, it is not our place to tell them that it's wrong! If they are okay with it, we should be too.
But how do we make sure people aren't forced into it, you might be thinking. My solution would be an age limit. Say, 18; when people are able to live on their own and under their own rules, away from the immediate influence of their family. I doubt anyone really wants to get married before then, anyway. But that's a totally different subject.
"Gay marriages are not valid because they don't produce children!"
Because we, with our overpacked orphanages, need more children! And also, if you're going to use that reasoning, then you better go stop those two old people from getting married, because they sure ain't producing any more kids! And that infertile guy; he can't marry, either!
Besides, gay parents who can get married are more likely to adopt children, thereby helping to empty those overpacked orphanages I mentioned earlier.
"Children need a male and female role model at home."
Bull. Single parents, anyone?
"Civil unions will work better. They have the same legal benefits, but without having to mess with the definition of marriage."
Separate but equal, right? Wrong. It didn't work for African-American schools during segregation. It won't work for gay marriage.
Yeah, so that's about it.
A couple of links that came to mind as I was doing this:
Jon Stewart taking Mike Huckabee apart regarding gay marriage
12 Reasons by GatorGSA
Theological disagreements with Christianity
Yes, I realize I just posted about this. No, I don't particularly care. Do I have a reason for making two different posts about similar topics? Why yes, in fact, I do. The last was a marginally angry rant about something that pisses me off. This is a (hopefully) calmer explanation of why I don't think I could ever be a Christian.
First and foremost, as I mentioned in the previous post; I think the Bible is outdated and fairly ridiculous at best, totally full of BS at worst. It certainly needs to be taken with a grain of salt. This was written thousands of years ago. Knock knock, modern society here! The world has changed, and some of the stuff in the Bible just no longer applies. Most of the reasons have to do with how people use it to argue against gay marriage, which is where my mind is going next, so I will likely post for that in a little bit.
I find no real attraction in the idea of Heaven. Being happy, 24/7, does not appeal to me. Life appeals to me, and that is no kind of life. Life has ups and downs. In life, you must make mistakes, learn from them, and grow. To be truly happy, you have to be sad sometimes. You can't have one without the other; just like you can't have light without shadows. Eternal life in heaven doesn't seem like much of a life to me, so I prefer not to believe in it.
I absolutely despise the idea of a Christian being somehow better than everyone else. So I believe a different thing than you do. It's none of your business, and it most certainly does not make you better than me, nor me better than you.
I don't like the idea of someone judging me from on high. They say that God loves all his children; well, apparently not, or there wouldn't be a Hell. And yeah, yeah, people go to hell because they sin or whatever. But who decides what's a sin? God, supposedly. So in the end it is God who sends people to Hell. Regardless, I hate being judged. By anyone. It's my life, to do with as I please. It's not anyone's place but mine to judge me.
In Christianity, it's always God's responsibility. If someone wants to stop a bad habit or turn their entire life around, who do they go to? God. If someone wants to help a friend or family member with something, who do they go to? God. Honestly, do it yourself! Take some responsibility, for once; get up off your lazy ass and go fix it yourself! Your life, your problem; you fix it!
It seems to an outsider that Christians are always looking at what's going to happen after they die. And yet, by their beliefs, you only get one life on Earth. So make the best of it! Whatever happens after death, you can deal with it after you've died. Live while you have the chance.
So yeah. Considering I have a problem with pretty much every fundamental Christian belief, I don't think I'll be converting any time soon.
That said, I don't have a problem with someone else believing in it. That's not my business.
That's all I have to say about that.
First and foremost, as I mentioned in the previous post; I think the Bible is outdated and fairly ridiculous at best, totally full of BS at worst. It certainly needs to be taken with a grain of salt. This was written thousands of years ago. Knock knock, modern society here! The world has changed, and some of the stuff in the Bible just no longer applies. Most of the reasons have to do with how people use it to argue against gay marriage, which is where my mind is going next, so I will likely post for that in a little bit.
I find no real attraction in the idea of Heaven. Being happy, 24/7, does not appeal to me. Life appeals to me, and that is no kind of life. Life has ups and downs. In life, you must make mistakes, learn from them, and grow. To be truly happy, you have to be sad sometimes. You can't have one without the other; just like you can't have light without shadows. Eternal life in heaven doesn't seem like much of a life to me, so I prefer not to believe in it.
I absolutely despise the idea of a Christian being somehow better than everyone else. So I believe a different thing than you do. It's none of your business, and it most certainly does not make you better than me, nor me better than you.
I don't like the idea of someone judging me from on high. They say that God loves all his children; well, apparently not, or there wouldn't be a Hell. And yeah, yeah, people go to hell because they sin or whatever. But who decides what's a sin? God, supposedly. So in the end it is God who sends people to Hell. Regardless, I hate being judged. By anyone. It's my life, to do with as I please. It's not anyone's place but mine to judge me.
In Christianity, it's always God's responsibility. If someone wants to stop a bad habit or turn their entire life around, who do they go to? God. If someone wants to help a friend or family member with something, who do they go to? God. Honestly, do it yourself! Take some responsibility, for once; get up off your lazy ass and go fix it yourself! Your life, your problem; you fix it!
It seems to an outsider that Christians are always looking at what's going to happen after they die. And yet, by their beliefs, you only get one life on Earth. So make the best of it! Whatever happens after death, you can deal with it after you've died. Live while you have the chance.
So yeah. Considering I have a problem with pretty much every fundamental Christian belief, I don't think I'll be converting any time soon.
That said, I don't have a problem with someone else believing in it. That's not my business.
That's all I have to say about that.
Potentially offensive rant
Okay so there's this stuff on TV right now and it's making me remember something. So I'm going to rant about it now.
Keep in mind this may be offensive. If you find my opinion offensive. Because this is my opinion. It's something that I need to rant about. So yeah. Read on if you want.
Ahem. This is important: I have nothing against Christians as a whole. They can believe what ever the hell they want. If they want to trust implicitly in a book written by humans who claimed to know what was going on up there, bully for them. It's not my business. It's not my problem. I. Do. Not. Give. A. Crap.
However. While they are welcome to believe whatever they want, so am I. It is my right to believe whatever the hell I want. If I want to believe in a magical flying spaghetti monster, that's my choice to make. They have no business telling me what to believe in.
(Note: this is directed at those Christians who are guilty of the belowmentioned acts.)
So don't tell me that I'm going to hell for this or that! Don't tell me that I have simply not been "enlightened", and that if I open my mind, God will show me the one true path to eternal life in heaven or some such crap. So don't preach at me. Don't talk down to me. Don't ever talk down to me. You are not better than me. You may believe that you are, but you're not. So don't talk down to me. I don't want to hear it.
Don't tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about. Don't fucking tell me that you know better, because you have learned the word of God. And don't, don't, DON'T ever, EVER judge me. Ever. You have no right to judge me.
I will believe whatever I want to believe. Deal with it.
That's all I have to say about that.
Keep in mind this may be offensive. If you find my opinion offensive. Because this is my opinion. It's something that I need to rant about. So yeah. Read on if you want.
Ahem. This is important: I have nothing against Christians as a whole. They can believe what ever the hell they want. If they want to trust implicitly in a book written by humans who claimed to know what was going on up there, bully for them. It's not my business. It's not my problem. I. Do. Not. Give. A. Crap.
However. While they are welcome to believe whatever they want, so am I. It is my right to believe whatever the hell I want. If I want to believe in a magical flying spaghetti monster, that's my choice to make. They have no business telling me what to believe in.
(Note: this is directed at those Christians who are guilty of the belowmentioned acts.)
So don't tell me that I'm going to hell for this or that! Don't tell me that I have simply not been "enlightened", and that if I open my mind, God will show me the one true path to eternal life in heaven or some such crap. So don't preach at me. Don't talk down to me. Don't ever talk down to me. You are not better than me. You may believe that you are, but you're not. So don't talk down to me. I don't want to hear it.
Don't tell me that I don't know what I'm talking about. Don't fucking tell me that you know better, because you have learned the word of God. And don't, don't, DON'T ever, EVER judge me. Ever. You have no right to judge me.
I will believe whatever I want to believe. Deal with it.
That's all I have to say about that.
Look at the blog title, people.
This is probably pointless. The blog, I mean. I probably will forget about it before long. Or I'll lose interest. Or not have anything to talk about. You get the idea.
But I digress.
What am I going to talk about? Hell, I don't know. Half the time I'll probably be ranting about something or another. I might be loving on a book or movie or something that I've recently seen/read/heard/whatever. I might be doing any number of things. This blog, if I use it, will be primarily for me to dump my thoughts. You can read it or not. You can care about what I have to say or not. Doesn't really matter to me.
So yeah. It's my blog. Woohoo?
OH, by the way. I'm a pottymouth. I curse a lot. I will freely insert whatever word I feel is appropriate. Deal.
But I digress.
What am I going to talk about? Hell, I don't know. Half the time I'll probably be ranting about something or another. I might be loving on a book or movie or something that I've recently seen/read/heard/whatever. I might be doing any number of things. This blog, if I use it, will be primarily for me to dump my thoughts. You can read it or not. You can care about what I have to say or not. Doesn't really matter to me.
So yeah. It's my blog. Woohoo?
OH, by the way. I'm a pottymouth. I curse a lot. I will freely insert whatever word I feel is appropriate. Deal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
