Meeting was very full today, and we had lots of visitors as well as old, familiar f/Friends, which is always nice to see. There was a very positive vibe in the air, aided, no doubt, by the fact that we finally had a bright sunshiny morning here today, after five straight days of rain and yuck.
There were also several messages (thank goodness: it’s been way too quiet lately!), and a couple of them were related to Friends feeling happy about the way the election went. While none of the messages was specifically partisan, they were expressive of the happiness many Friends are feeling about the meaning of having an African-American elected to the White House and what that means for the country. One Friend spoke to what the election means in terms of the defeat of cynicism and a triumph of hope over fear.
All good stuff.
But.
I wanted to add my own two cents. And I didn’t. It didn’t quite have the feel of a true call to vocal ministry. And I didn’t want to rain on anyone’s parade. Like I said, we’ve had enough rain.
But. I still need to get this out.
Yes, I am ecstatic over the results of the presidential election, obviously. And I hope and pray that our new president will be able to not only solve some of the myriad of problems he’s got on his family-style dining plate right from the get-go, but that he’ll also be able to translate some of that talk of “hope” and “change” into real and positive social change.
But at the same time, I still mourn for our country in other ways. For while we took a huge step forward on Tuesday, we also took several steps back in several specific states. While many of us voted our hopes, many of those same voters voted their fears, and they voted to deny equal citizenship rights to their gay and lesbian friends, colleagues, neighbors, and family members.
Yes, I am sorry to say, they voted for fear and they voted for hate.
And that fear and hatred was fed by those votes. And so that hatred and bigotry and small mindedness and ignorance will continue to feed and breed and fester like the cancer that it is.
Yup, things are looking sunnier today, in lots of ways.
But we have a long way today before it’s morning in America for everybody.
Get ready to get your hands dirty.
Filed under: Friendly matters, Human rights, I want my Jesus back, Ranting & raving, Religion & faith, Religious Society of Friends, Social justice, Testimony of equality, Testimony of integrity, Tolerance & diversity, Up close and personal | Tagged: Friendly matters, Gay marriage, Marriage equality, Proposition 8, Religious Society of Friends
thanks for this q-dave. it’s difficult here in utah – all this proposition 8 stuff. and for me – the logan lds temple is right outside my bedroom window. it’s nice to hear the support from other states – it means a lot to us here in utah.
I believe God planted those thoughts and feelings in you. The US took some steps backwards via CA and Ark. and others for LGBT citizens. They are not “equal” under the laws yet.
Why should a radical minority be able to redefine what marriage is, in both civil law and religious tradition?
Radical as ever, Quaker Dave!
Yes, this is the next issue we have to tackle as Progressives. I already sent President-elect Obama a note via his new Change.gov website asking him to work toward true equal rights for the gay community.
My man Americaneocon is back! Where have you been, dude? Looking to see how us radical socialist/Marxists are doing, now that we have seized power?
Why should we redefine marriage?
Because it would be the right thing to do. You know, life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, all that good American stuff. You betcha.
No religious organization would be forced to conduct these ceremonies (which is all they are, after all) under marriage equality laws. But all marriages should be recognized under civil law. And if some religions want to honor them enough to provide a venue for a celebration of marriage (as mine does), they should be permiited to.
My questions to those who oppose marriage equality are always the same:
What exactly are you afraid of?
How exactly is your marriage threatened by this? My wife and I have been married for 27+ years – to each other alone, and faithfully – and we cannot for the life of us figure out how a gay or lesbian couple being married in the eyes of the law and of God threatens us in any way.
Don’t you agree that straight people, with their 50%+ divorce rate and soaring rates of adultery have done more damage to the institution of marriage than anything a small number (relatively speaking) of committed gay couples could EVER do to it?
How is this any different than laws preventing people of different “races” from marrying?
And if being gay is a “choice” (which it isn’t, but just for the sake of argument), how are these laws any different from laws that, say, would prevent people of different religions from marrying? Religion persuasion is a choice, after all.
Just askin’.
[...] from quaker dave: what i almost said at meeting today. [...]
Given the history of the Quakers in abolition, I can see why this was a moving time for them. Perhaps I’m in a minority among your readers, but I’m glad you gave the people in your meeting the space to savor that moment. We’ll keep fighting on the other issue too. One day to reflect on progress in a different arena isn’t going to set the fight back.
Yeah, yesterday was not the time to play the role of Mr. Poopyhead. The sense of the Meeting was too upbeat. And, like I said, the Spirit wasn’t really moving me.
That’s why I do this.
You are a wise man, QD.
Sometimes it has to be said. I’d rather more people talk than stay silent. I often am the only person who stands up to speak and I don’t enjoy that role.
Indeed, there is much work to be done. The fact that California and other states still cling to fear and hatred and inequality as somehow God’s desire is truly sad. We must educate those that are able to see the truth, and defeat those who have no truck with truth. This cannot be allowed to stand.