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Originally Posted by roachboy
at the other end, relative to this story:
do you really think that you have to accept the pathologization of homosexuality simply because a narrow segment of christians have decided to treat it as a kind of mental disorder?
if you acquiesce on these grounds and do not pass judgement on this, are you in effect conceding that the homosexuality=mental disorder is a legitimate way of interpreting homosexuality?
is it? on what possible basis?
does the routing of the justifications for bigotry through the bible make that bigotry ok?
would you apply the same stadard to any other type of campaign waged in the name of the same texts?
would you adopt the same relation to the crusades, say?
the long history of persecuting heretics?
the long history of antisemitism?
would you have to suspend judgement in the same way when you thought about the curiously comfortable relationship between the catholic church in italy and mussolini because of the coincidence in their respective theories about an organic division of labor?
does that fact that these beliefs have been translated into an institutional structure (these re-education camps/programs) make the camps ok?
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That I think is the more pertinent question concerning this story. Personally I agree with you, roach. Bigotry is bigotry regardless of presentation. It's particularly disturbing to see so many people remain silent about it altogether. Just because these 'camps' have a particular church's seal of approval or a particular group's blessing doesn't change anything. It's bigotry.
Aren't some ideas too perilous, too dangerous to be so accepting of? I'm all for pluralism, I really am, but where's the line in the sand? How incredibly stupid (or dangerous, for that matter) does an idea have to be for it to be condemned by the majority publicly?
I realize that religion is unstable territory at best, but can't we all agree that 're-educating' gay teenagers is a bad thing? Can't we all agree that brainwashing, whether it's hidden under the guise of education or wrapped up in religious texts, is wrong?
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Originally Posted by cynthetiq
Maybe but it's not you for you to decide that their interpretation of salvation is wrong, that's tantamount to someone saying that your lifestyle choices are wrong.
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Not directed at me, but I'd like to comment.
It is for me to decide what interpretation of salvation is right and wrong just as it is for me to condemn or accept any lifestyle I see fit. How else can one form reasoned opinion without deciding what's acceptable and what isn't? Why do I have to accept everything at face value and with equal merit?
It's 'wrong' when I decide to push that interpretation or lifestyle preference on anyone else against their will. Your right guaranteed under our law to practice, preach or observe your religion without fear of retribution only extends as far as your nose.
Why does the vast majority abhor the practice of snatching random homosexuals off the street and sending them to these re-education camps, but are perfectly accepting of parents sending their homosexual teenagers to the same place?