Sometimes, I wonder exactly what is going on in people's minds when they say things like this.
What laws have been changed:
- slavery is now illegal.
- His wife is now not his property.
- Anti-miscegenation laws are now off the books.
- laws forcing gay teachers to be fired are now off the books.
- raping your wife is now illegal.
- women can own property!
- women and people of color can vote!
- abortion is legal
This is bullying in the plainest sense. I don't even really know what to say to something like this.
I actually don't see this as bullying.
ReplyDeleteWhile I can think of soooo many counterarguments to what this man is saying ( I like your laws that have been changed column!), I feel like he is expressing his personal beliefs, and this is a polar difference of opinion.
To me, bullying is harassment, not disagreement. What happened with Tyler Clementi is a bullying case ( http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/sexandgender/3479/why_anti-gay_bullying_is_a_theological_issue). To me, this doesn't qualify.
While it is very hard for me to understand how this man has become so steadfast in these particular issues, he is not *threatening* the LGBT community. This is not blackmail or cyber-bullying or manipulation. This is someone who does not agree with us and finds our viewpoints as unreasonable as we find his.
I wholeheartedly agree with your assertion that this man is expressing his personal beliefs, and moreover that this is not an example of bullying. The man makes it clear what he wants for the state of Iowa and why he thinks things should be that way. It would be incorrect to classify this video as an example of bullying.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I have to say that this man is extremely misinformed and i couldn't disagree any more with what he says. To me, this is just another example of someone trying to justify oppression by religious views. Back when slavery was legal, religious leaders pointed to the bible as a rationale for maintaining slavery. Similarly, with regards to the women's right's movement, biblical text was used to justify why it was ok not to give women equal rights. Here is just another example of the prototype.
Luckily there is hope for the LGBT movement. Just like we were able to eventually quell the atrocities of slavery and the oppression of women, the same thing can happen for gay rights. I think that we will look back on this in 40 or 50 years and just think how foolish it is that people can hold these views.
I agree with Kevin. This is not an example of bullying and should not be classified that way. He is fighting for something he believes in and that is the American way. The people are the voice of the country, but I do not agree with what he says either. I believe you have to take the bible as a whole and the lessons it brings, instead of the individual details. It is not meant to be interpreted literally which may account for some of these issues Kevin brings about.
ReplyDelete... it is incredibly obvious to me that this man is reading every word he says off of a cue card. And he is not doing it well.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously. Logical fallacy on the slippery slope argument, anyone? Just because the Court has the power to overturn a law because of its unconstitutionality, the courts will have unlimited power and change laws regarding parenting and property rights? That doesn't even make sense. This may or may not be bullying but it definitely is a scare tactic.