Category: DOC Thoughts
Marriage Equality
This article on Religion Dispatches caught my attention. I am a person that does not think that same sex marriage between consenting adults is a threat to my 21 year marriage. There are many on the other side of that debate from where I am. There are many “isms” in our world and this is one that I trust during my lifetime finally dissolves from public debate. I oppose amendments to federal or state constitutions that legislate discrimination. It is hard to change a person’s mind. It is something each person comes to on her or his own terms. Living, education, life experience, and relationship are all part of a person growing, evolving, and changing positions. Some change is pragmatic while other personal change has something to do with universal Truth.
Here is a bit of the interview. Click the title to read or listen to the entire interview.
“I ‘Came Out’ For Marriage Equality”: An Anti-Gay Activist Changes His Mind
By Welton Gaddy | Religion Dispatches | May 25, 2011One of the most frustrating things about today’s political rhetoric is the entrenched nature of those who argue any side of an issue. Political leaders and the media provide a bounty of messages to support a position, and it is profoundly easy to consume only opinions one already agrees with.
There are times that it feels as if we are at a permanent stalemate regarding some of the biggest issues facing our society and our nation.
That is precisely why I was fascinated to read, early last month, that a respected, successful strategist and activist for a prominent issue dared to grapple with his own conscience and, despite a good deal of fear and concern, publicly distance himself from the work he had been doing.
The activist is Louis J. Marinelli, and the issue is marriage equality.
In the summer of 2010, it was impossible not to see headlines about the Summer of Marriage Tour, as powerful messages opposing same-gender marriage proliferated online and with a physical traveling bus tour.
When so much of today’s activism is spoken of in terms of war and battle, with a faceless enemy determined to destroy all that’s good, how does one come to see opponents as individual human beings, people of value and worth, deserving of respect and consideration, of empathy and even support?
Words to Ponder
Randy, a friend and peer in ministry, offered up a couple of quotes that are what I call, “words to ponder”. You’ve heard words that make you pause or make you go, “hmmm.” Well, here are two sets of words that do that for me which Randy shared during a meeting earlier this month with a group of our friends and peers.
“Those who do not have power over the story that dominates their lives, the power to retell it, rethink it, deconstruct it, joke about it and change it as times change, truly are powerless because they cannot think new thoughts.” Salman Rushdie
Lyrics from, “Head Full of Doubt / Road Full of Promise”
The Avette Brothers, 2009
There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
And it comes in black and it comes in white
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see itWhen nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it