Conor Friedersdorf’s Terrible Attempt to Salvage Homophobia From Bigotry
Friedersdorf might want us all to believe it is ‘commendable’ to try and save the bigots from the ‘bigot’ stigmatization - however it fails the credibility test:
A narrow point we disagree on is the comparison of opposing interracial marriage to opposing gay marriage. Opposition to interracial marriage was all but synonymous with a belief in the superiority of one race and the inferiority of another. (In fact, it was inextricably tied to a singularly insidious ideology of white supremacy and black subjugation that has done more damage to America and its people than anything else, and that ranks among the most obscene crimes in history.)
Opposition to gay marriage can be rooted in the insidious belief that gays are inferior, but it’s also commonly rooted in the much-less-problematic belief that marriage is a procreative institution, not one meant to join couples for love and companionship alone.*
Simply and conclusively false. If his contention were correct, then divorce, marriage after middle age, ‘Our Time’/ ‘Christian Mingle’ would all be redundant. Americans no more believe this than they believe Santa Claus is real. Marriage in the western world is a system based on love and commitment, for most people, and for reproduction for a percentage of those people.
The logic is specious at best. Turn it on its head - how many people get married for procreation alone, not love, and not commitment? How could you characterize a loveless marriage? Ridiculous - Friedersdorf is no idiot - his attempt is both nonsensical and deliberate.
Sure ,there are marriages where people have no love and are in it for procreation alone, but would you want your child to grow up in that household? Would you want to be personally in a loveless marriage? Would you wish that upon your worst enemy?
The answer is no. No. Not - arguably. It is definitively NO.
Yes - opposition to gay marriage is based on bigotry - it is based on a choice - that some Christians choose to abide bigoted doctrine does not inoculate them from the label of ‘bigotry’ - simply because many other Christians CHOOSE to not abide bigoted doctrine.
Sexuality, just like race, is immutable - however, whatever religious doctrine you choose to believe is a subjective choice. You choose to be a homophobic bigot, or you choose not to be one.
This may make them uncomfortable, but the truth is that opposition to SSM is no different than white supremacist opposition to interracial marriage. It’s just supremacy of sexuality. And it is just as immoral.
Read more if you choose - but why bother? Why Gay-Marriage Opponents Should Not Be Treated Like Racists - Conor Friedersdorf - the Atlantic
If you would like to read instead - a Christian using Christian doctrine and logic to affirm equality for LGBTI people = stltoday.com - is much worthier of your time and soul.