I got so steamed at a coworker today

[dsc]

I give a heads up to faculty about the Day of Silence so I don't have teachers plan a major oral presenatation on that day. I sent the email last night. One faculty member sent me the article about Issue 8 supporters being bullied and had the audacity to suggest I use it as a teachable moment about bullying of religious people. I about had a stroke when I checked my email this morning. The utter self centeredness of the religiously conservative can be so vast it can't be believed.

Here was the email

I definitely agree that bullying is a horrible thing. I think, however, that many groups who bully get ignored. See article in the NYTimes:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/business/08stream.html?_r=3
"Some donors to groups supporting the measure (Prop 8 in Ca.) have received death threats and envelopes containing a powdery white substance, and their businesses have been boycotted."

This could be a real teachable moment to talk about how bad behavior on all parts, hurts a cause; intimidation and threats from these groups only make them look like bullies too. Freedom for all should mean the freedom to disagree without getting blacklisted or receiving death threats. Just thought you might find the article interesting.


I haven't responded yet but will in a day or two when I can do so rationally.

[NMDemDist2]

1. i think that was debunked (except the boycott part)

seems I remember Ann Northrup mentioning something on GayUSA a couple weeks ago

but yeah, fundies are all about pounding you over the head with the Bible and forgetting to even ATTEMPT to follow Jesus' teachings.....

:hug:

[dsc]

2. What royally pisses me off is that they have full federal protection and have had it for eons

while I could be fired tomorrow.

[LisaM]

3. Why shouldn't their businesses be boycotted, anyway?

Of course no one supports death threats, but boycotting the business of a hate-purveyor seems like a reaction, not bullying.

[keepCAblue]

4. I wonder how the RR would respond if they had their civil rights stolen from them...

If they launch nationwide boycotts for the mundane and trivial--a gay day at Disney, a Ford ad in a gay magazine, for example--imagine what they would do if a scant majority voted away their right to their religious freedom. We'd be seeing FAR WORSE behaviors on their part, rest assured.

Talk about calling the kettle black.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. Wow

She says "Freedom for all should mean the freedom to disagree without getting blacklisted" while the religionists fight for the right to discriminate against gay people while taking Federal funds. Amazingly hypocritical people. The audacity of dopes.

[foxfeet]

6. Oh, the poor, oppressed things.

Jesus would slap 'em upside the head.

[Jamastiene]

7. That claim is so false on so many levels.

I would send a message back that simply said, "You get what you give." And that would be it.

[HillbillyBob]

8. Thats f ing rich, the bullies whining that that they are treated

soo unfair pity pity.
I had been bullied in my youth growing up in school by the kristofundi-Mental defectives.
When I was hit for the last time I responded, I got expelled just weeks before graduation. ...but the bully got a whaling he hasn't forgotten yet. At least I hope so. I hate a hypocrite. These kkkrestians have poisoned the well of kindness, all they deserve is derision and a good back hand.
How dare they whine about us using boycotts when they do the same and worse.
The minister of the church I grew up in 'outed' me as being gay and hiv in front of our congregation one Easter Sunday. I was not there, but I did hear about it.
When I sent a letter telling him what a hypocrite and low life he was he told my family how hurt he was. I have not been back home or to that hell hole church since .

[donco6]

9. For what it's worth . . .

:grouphug:

I had a youth minister write to me several years ago (I'm now 49). He had been close to me during my HS years - converted me to fundie Christianity, did Bible studies, that sort of thing. I left for college and we fell out of touch. He and my younger sister go to the same church back in Kansas. So, she tells him about my being gay. He then writes me this long letter about "fighting the gay struggle", "God is really powerful" blah blah blah. I wrote him back and said, "You know, if she had told you I was prideful or greedy - would you have written me a letter then? I don't think so. No, THIS sin is somehow worse than any other and warranted your extraordinary intervention, right?"

He didn't write back.

Anyway, I only write this to let you know that I think I know a little about your experience. I spent a lot of time in fundie Christian churches in my teens through twenties. I feel for you.

[xchrom]

10. their raison d'etre{sp} is worthless if they are not

the oppressed, aggrieved party.

can you imagine a situation where the mirror is truly held in a place where they -- or others -- could see them as they truly were?

the false visage of righteous warriors of god stripped away?

[SacredCow]

11. While I agree that death threats and mailing flour to Prop h8 supporters is out of line...

Your co-worker has clearly not considered the other side of the coin. The untold numbers of GLBTs that have been bullied and even murdered for no reason other than being different from their attackers. Like it, or not- GLBT rights are on the precipice. It's been an uphill battle, with the talibangicals fighting dirty every step of the way. And they're suprised that some are REALLY pissed off and fighting back in kind???? Delusional? Party of one? Your table is ready!

And as for Boycotting? C'mon- the fundies have called for literally hundreds of boycotts (they're the living and breathing "boy who cried wolf"). If someone's business livelihood was so intrinsically tied to GLBT patronage, and yet they decided to donate to prop h8 anyway... I have absolutely no sympathy for them. One day, perhaps they'll learn that people who have a REAL stake in something (as opposed to the fundies, whom gay marriage WILL NOT AFFECT, no matter how much they cry that it will), will fight till their last breaths. Not to mention, make damn sure that their dollars do NOT go to support hateful actions against themselves.

[AB_Positive]

12. We have a couple like that at the school I work at

One whom is famous for rushing through lines at copiers or other such teacher resources complaining that she has a "Teacher Parent meeting" to go to, when there's no visitors in the building. Self centered is too subtle a phrase to describe some of these people.