Stronzo said:
I'm sorry for your disappointment Lex. I think highly of you and your good opinion.
I cannot embrace or accept any consensus of opinion (or compromise for that matter) when an indiviudal bases his entire argument on an history based in mythology rather than science. Playainda only addresses those things which suit his version of a selective bible-based reality. To me it's high myopia in just that way "disagreeing with the equality of other ethnicities" would be to him or you.
It's especially true Lex when he refuses to address how that same 'mythology' subjugated his own people for generations.
However, I am (from a personal standpoint) duty-bound to pick away at it and its outrageous flaws in just that same way many more folks dissected every last post written in the "thinly-veiled racism" thread.
To me this thread has equal importance. Perhaps to you it does not and if it doesn't I am disappointed in you.
In the larger picture I'm soberly more in the know with respect to how most members of this board will simply pass off homophobia where racial bias is landed on with "all fours". I've learned a great deal and it's been an unhappy realization I can tell you.
Dr Rock gets it. But he, dreamer, and Mkymkus seem to be about the only ones. Interesting that.
I hope you are not, by my omission, saying that I don't get it. I would like to think we know each other better than that.
I want to clarify. Homophobia IS important to me, now more than ever before--as you well know. As a gay black male, I fell the sting of both racial and orientation inequities all the time. I can not choose one over the other. Both are ever-present for me.
At the same time, I know that there are people of faith who do not comdemn us, there are gay racists, and there are black prejudiced people (some of whom have faith and some who lack it), etc.
When members come here and splatter gross inaccuracies or bigoted thought--you know that I am all for challenging them. Playainda is a good example, as was Chimera TX and others before him.
As far as you and b.c.--I think that you both fundamentally agree on a lot issues around racism and homophobia while needing to perhaps agree to disagree on the reconciliation of religion point. Some people choose to have faith and love EVERYone. I won't turn down love from someone just because they are faithful (I'm not saying that you have done this). If someone of faith decides to reject the homophobic distortions while keeping thier faith--I really have no problem with that (and what if I did, I guess?).
As far as the responses (or lack thereof or whatever)--I think we can only expect members here to contribute where they want to and in a manner that serves them. I certainly have admitted to you in being tired of the religious discussion for the most part. Yet, here I am. There are many whose voice I would love to hear on this issue (and many others). Sometimes I get to hear them, sometimes I don't.
I know in your heart, you feel that oppressed people would and should be the last people to marginalize and oppress others. I wish it were so myself. what we know of human behavior, however, tells us that the abused often becomes the abuser time and time again.
Breaking that cycle is HEAVY LIFTING, Stronzo. I am happy to have two hands on the big old boulder with you ann will always encoruage you (with a hump) to invite more people to help us lift it.
Hugs.