Half a million misinformed religious extremists are urging shoppers to boycott Target. That’s fine; it’s their prerogative. However, intelligent men and women who believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ must make an effort to support Target, and shop at its stores more frequently.
Judgement of others is forbidden by the Leader of the Christian world. He taught tolerance and acceptance, not anger and hatred. The ‘American Family Association’ is misleading the fight to allow transgendered men and women to us a bathroom. They are predicting a future where ‘dirty and nasty’ men will seek admittance to a woman’s bathroom to watch a woman ‘do her business,’ and then sexually assault her. Really?
Putting it bluntly, it’s time that America grows up. Ours is the only nation in the world which practices intolerance towards the LGBT community. There would be no discussion without a mistake in judgement, and a Constitutional violation by conservatives. They have comingled politics and religion. As an Independent agnostic, I resent Christian advocacy groups whose goal is to force me to adhere to their beliefs in fantasy.
I am not alone. More than 65 million Americans reveal that they do not align themselves with a religion.
Religion should have remained a personal belief. The first amendment guarantees all Americans the right to practice the religion of their choice, or not. It forbids the establishment of a national religion.
These anti-gay laws in ‘red’ states have no basis in the facts claimed by state legislators. They violate the 14th amendment which guarantees ‘equal protection under the law.’
Opposition to the LGBT community and their rights which include same-sex marriage is illogical. They have no negative effect on our nation, are non-violent, and do not interfere with our government. The same cannot be said for the Christian religious right which has waged a war against men and women whose only goals are a better life and personal happiness.
North Carolina is feeling financial pain after its passage of an anti-gay law. The visitor’s bureau has reported that four weeks after the law was signed by Governor Pat McCrory the state has lost $3.1 million in revenue. Other damage to the revenue of the state and private business includes loss of conventions, major businesses removing their presence, and the likely loss of an NBA all-star game, among others.
Conservative extremists must face the fact that they are in the minority when the issue of LGBT rights is discussed. The majority of Americans support same-sex marriage, and that number is growing.
Younger Americans have displayed a rejection for the prejudices of their predecessors. They logically ask the question; ‘if it doesn’t negatively affect me or those I love; why should I oppose it?’ This same group is refusing to join their parent’s religious cults in growing numbers, refusing to allow others to control their free thought.
Someday, hopefully before my demise, I hope to see an America which has returned to greatness. This will never occur as long as large numbers of our people embrace racism, bigotry, homophobia, or misogyny.
Op-Ed
By James Turnage
Photo Courtesy of Mike Mozart
Read James Turnage at http://www.amazon.com/By-James-turnage/e/B00LOCJ2Z2
The Truth With No Restrictions 