Smart Republicans

[Geek Goddess]

I thought saying 'homosexuality is wrong' was a slur against gays.

I would say 'fags will burn in hell' is a slur.

"Women are stupid and can't handle the world of work" is a slur. Beating the crap out of someone because you don't like what they do is evil.

"Women should stay home and take care of kids" is an opinion. I am free to view that as an outdated, uneducated, or just plain stupid opinion, but that doesn't mean that I should legislate against someone having that opinion.

In this thread, some A's are saying that B's are stupid for holding certain opinions. Is that a slur?

 

[bjb]

All citizens have the same civil rights in this country, in law if not yet in actual practive.

What about homosexuals in the military services? Why can't homosexuals get married if they have the same civil rights as everyone else?

I have a close friend who is practically a full-time gay 'activist' Mike says his goal is not just to get society to accept his lifestyle and protect his basic civil rights, he wants people to be silenced from criticizing his lifestyle, he wants the same stigma to be attached to someone saying 'homosexuality is wrong' as it is to use slurs against gays or racial groups. He wants people to SAY and AGREE that his lifestyle is perfectly acceptable. His words, not mine.

I'm glad you're still able to be friends with Mike even though you seem to disagree with him. What do you think about this hate speech law in Sweden?

http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_hat8.htm

Personally, I'm all for tolerance but people have the right in this country to say what the think, even if it is hate speech. I also get nervous when the government is able to tell people what they can say in their own churches. I think it's one thing for private citizens to convince other people to be on their side and to create a social stigma against certain behavior, but getting the government to pass laws to prevent others from being against you is something else. Show your friend Mike what's going on in Sweden and ask him if that's what he really wants here in America.

 

[Geek Goddess]

I'm glad you're still able to be friends with Mike even though you seem to disagree with him. What do you think about this hate speech law in Sweden?

http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_hat8.htm

.

I like Mike as a person, although I don't like his agenda and his methods. Of course, I don't like anyone who rants. He knows what I think, and we just don't talk about it. I suspect some day he may decide he doesn't care for me because I will not be swayed to agree with his positions. I remember this case in Sweden, and I think it is horrible, and just another kind of evil. Mike likes it. He says if you can take away the language, you can take away the thought. (sort of Orwellian, in my mind) He also has some interesting observations about the church cover-up of the issues on Catholic priests and some of their little 'problems' but that's even further off-topic.

 

[Jekyll]

"Women should stay home and take care of kids" is an opinion. I am free to view that as an outdated, uneducated, or just plain stupid opinion, but that doesn't mean that I should legislate against someone having that opinion.

While I'm not in favour of creating thought crimes, there already exists legislation against people telling you their opinion or acting on it.
Anyone who works with you telling you (in all seriousness) that "Women should stay home and take care of kids" or acts on it must be disciplined or your employer becomes liable.

At the end of the day I don't see saying "Homosexuality is wrong." is any better than saying "Blacks should know their place." and I don't think there is any reason for people to tolerate it.

In this thread, some A's are saying that B's are stupid for holding certain opinions. Is that a slur?

Sometimes, other times it's just the truth .

 

[Piggy]

I have a close friend who is practically a full-time gay 'activist' Mike says his goal is not just to get society to accept his lifestyle and protect his basic civil rights, he wants people to be silenced from criticizing his lifestyle, he wants the same stigma to be attached to someone saying 'homosexuality is wrong' as it is to use slurs against gays or racial groups. He wants people to SAY and AGREE that his lifestyle is perfectly acceptable. His words, not mine.

Well, that's going beyond mere "affirmation" now, isn't it?

 

[bjb]

Anyone who works with you telling you (in all seriousness) that "Women should stay home and take care of kids" or acts on it must be disciplined or your employer becomes liable.

At the end of the day I don't see saying "Homosexuality is wrong." is any better than saying "Blacks should know their place." and I don't think there is any reason for people to tolerate it.

In those situations, it is called harassment and it is not considered protected speech. I suppose these are the 'existing laws' referred to earlier.

Mike is scary. If he wasn't gay, he might have become another Fred Phelps. They both share the same basic mentality.

 

[RandFan]

Every bit.


Not sure I get your point, here. I'm just sayin', not all atheists are obsessed with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Oh, I agree absolutely. My point certainly wasn't to paint that picture. Thank you.

 

[RandFan]

Here are links to American Atheists' current campaigns and suggestions for activism. And here's a link to their PR arm.

The Council for Secular Humanism has a PR arm. Among the CSH's objectives is "To promote secular humanist principles to the public, media, and policy-makers."

Here is a link to the PR arm of the Freedom from Religion Foundation. Read more about the FFR here.

I believe all of the above qualify as non-profit, educational, tax-exempt organizations under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3), but you cannot deny that their agendas and action plans have definite political underpinnings.

Good news. They exist.

Bad news, they suck at doing their job (ok, maybe they just have a very large uphill battle to fight).