It is the climate of intolerance that Exodus fosters which may allow unstable people to justify their immoral actions. When there is still ambiguity about the value of an entire class of people, it leaves room in the conscience for otherwise unspeakable acts of violence.

When people in perceived positions of moral authority allow for discrimination and less than equal status for LGBT people, there is frequently, a blind and unquestioned acceptance by the flock. In their very well written and highly acclaimed book “Mistakes Were Made, But Not by Me” Carol Tavris and Elliot Arnson articulately document how and why this phenomenon occurs.

If at any moment, the perceived moral guides of our time called for radical actions (quarantining or registering GLBT people for example), there is a very high probability multitudes of otherwise decent human beings would follow blindly. If people we defer to (the President, the Pope, James Dobson) tell us to be alarmed and to take action, most of us will.

Christian theologian and prolific author C.S. Lewis was sounding this alarm decades ago. I will end my two cents worth with the following quote:

“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”
- C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)

Alan Chambers, James Dobson, and Walter Throckmorton: “Please stop trying to love me and help me. I would prefer your honest hatred to your obsessive love, it’s killing me.” Jeffry Ford, MA, LP http://www.exexgay.com

But we’re only talking about those “core beliefs” that foster a climate of violence. Why would you have a problem with this?
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“To shut down the sharing of these beliefs, they must destroy these communities. ”

Again, we’re only talking about those communities who willingly foster hatred and violence. Again still, why would you have a problem with this?
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Do you really think Roman Catholics are going to change their doctrine of sexuality?

It’ not about “changing” any doctrine of sexuality, the issue is about exposing those who hypocritically and unfairly depict the human-sexuality of some people, as innately harmful and/or malicious.
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“Abuse of Christian communities is already happening in Canada where Christians are unable to say that homosexual practices are not good for the persons or society.”

And do you consider pro-gay Christians to be actual Christians?

How about gay Christians?

If not, why do you feel you are in a position to speak for them?
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“We also see this phenomenon happening to a greater extent in the UK. While some would say, “right on” to getting rid of religion, I anticipate a backlash whereby religious folks eventually will really align themselves with fascist groups, in order to freely practice their religion.”

As well they should, fascist groups are their home. But you’re not speaking about religious folk per se, you’re speaking about a supremacism that is being claimed as religion, which isn’t fair — as any criminal can claim their behavior to be religious — or the practice of their harmful behavior to be their religion.
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“The solution is a very liberal respect for freedom of speech, even if it is offensive speech. Answer this supposed wrong speech with your own speech, rather than resorting to “climate” arguments.”

Well if climate change is so spurious, Tim, what could possibly be easier for you to refute?

Next time Christians like you say that your “deeply held moral beliefs” are based on the genocide of Leviticus 20:13, just take that extra step to let people know that the advocacy of murder in the name of God has no effect, climate-wise, or what-so-ever.

Cinchy.
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“Hey, were Christians, we’re here. Get over it. Same for y’all.”

NOT THE SAME AT ALL. You speak for supremacists who claim to hold the Golden Rule as the standard.

Atheists who actually practice the Golden Rule are more Christian in nature than Christians who advocate genocide in the name of the Golden Rule.

“To shut down the sharing of these beliefs, they must destroy these communities. Do you really think Roman Catholics are going to change their doctrine of sexuality?”

Nonsense. No one is trying to shut down anyone’s community. Using this logic, one would not have challenged religiously motivated racism on the basis that it might trample someone’s interpretation of scripture. And yes – don’t bother telling me that many of the people who battled racism also found inspiration in religion – I know that. It in no way excuses the racists who used the bible as a tool of oppression.

Free speech is a great idea when the playing field is level. But speech is restricted in schools — where the emphasis should be on learning, not endless debates and proselytization — and in Caribbean and African nations, speech is often a privilege limited to undemocratic and antigay authorities.

Religion is the one YOU believe. And so, anyone who disagrees with you hates your “religion??” What hogwash.

WHY DON’T YOU SHUT UP AND MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. You have no right before ANY god to assume that you’ve been “inspired” to challenge or to change how people live. That voice of “God” in your head…well, you’re half right. It’s a voice in your head, but NOWHERE ELSE.

It’s doubtful that Evangelicals are being persecuted around the world, but if there is “persecution,” it’s only in places where the locals have seen the results of the First Evangelicals–the Jesuits with their “message of God’s love,” accompanied by the Conquistadors with the weapons to back that message with “God’s Wrath.”

Your hatred of gays is more than likely a thinly disguised fear of your own desires. Seems to be common among many Evangelicals these days. Do we need to cite names??? Do you hang out in men’s rooms??

Abuse of Christian communities is already happening in Canada where Christians are unable to say that homosexual practices are not good for the persons or society. We also see this phenomenon happening to a greater extent in the UK. While some would say, “right on” to getting rid of religion, I anticipate a backlash whereby religious folks eventually will really align themselves with fascist groups, in order to freely practice their religion. I am thinking of what happened in Franco’s Spain, where the Church aligned itself in order to stop the murder of priests and nuns by socialists.

The solution is a very liberal respect for freedom of speech, even if it is offensive speech. Answer this supposed wrong speech with your own speech, rather than resorting to spurious “climate” arguments.

Hey, were Christians, we’re here. Get over it. Same for y’all.