A lot of smart, sharp, wise, kind and thoughtful reactions today to North Carolina’s vote for an amendment to its state constitution barring same-sex marriage and civil unions. Here’s a sampling.
Bruce Garrett: “Notice”
I can appreciate that some people have deeply held religious beliefs. What I don’t appreciate is some people turning my hopes and dreams of love into their stepping stones to heaven. I can appreciate that some people have had a hard life. But only a runt uses that as an excuse to inflict pain on others. I can appreciate how it is to feel your peace and security threatened by forces you don’t understand. That has never once made me want to become that force against others. I have always wished you peace. You will need to let me have mine too though, because that’s just the way peace works.
David R. Henson: “Amendment One and an Angry Lament of a Native Son”
Right now, as the state of North Carolina codifies hate speech into a constitutional amendment, apologies don’t begin to cut it.
As a native son of the Deep South and of North Carolina, tonight, I am ashamed, and angry.
… And, as a Christian, I think it is time to admit who bears responsibility for atrocities like Amendment One and all other anti-LGBT legislation.
It’s Christianity.
I might want to say I’m not like those Christians over there who stood for Amendment One and other such legislation. But they are my brothers and sisters in the faith, no two ways about it. I might want to say those Christians don’t represent what Christ stood for. But I bet they would say the same thing about me. I can try to split hairs and divide the Christian community so I don’t have to think about the hate my faith tradition has spawned and let loose in the world like a legion of demons.
But I can’t say any of that with a shred of integrity.
Tonight, Christianity is to blame.
Morgan Guyton: “Sixty Percent”
Sixty percent is a supermajority,
who took time out of their busy schedules,
who needed to make a statement,
who wanted to leave a legacy,
who knew exactly how and where lines must be drawn.
William C. Lindsey: “When Christian People Celebrate Humiliation of Others: Dealing With the Ugly”
Paul Brandeis Raushenbush’s advice to the churches who keep getting themselves caught in the oppression-repentance cycle: how about just breaking the cycle? Why not just stop, once and for all, oppressing targeted minorities in the name of a Jesus who stands absolutely against such behavior, and whom you ludicrously misrepresent when you break the lives of those you define as evil in their nature and constitution in order to make yourself feel better about yourself — in order to earn a big sweet cake of self-righteous celebration of you and yours.
Andi Cumbo: “50 Years Ago and Yesterday: Prejudice in America”
We can’t even admit our wounds and scars about race; how will we ever begin to see how we wound and scar one another about sexual orientation?
I am sad today. So so sad.
Chris Ayers: “These Are the Names: A Labyrinth Reflection”
There’s nothing theoretical about this amendment. It will damage people I know and love on a daily basis.
… These are the names: Sam, William, Greta, Jim, Patrice, Michele. …
The Egyptian oppression will soon be over. Amen, and amen.
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