Is making others' equal rights dependent on your comfort level bigoted?

[Zhade]

Or is that an acceptable argument to put forth in the debate (as if there should even be one) about equal rights?

I was under the impression that supporting equal rights only when it suits your personal views is wrong and bigoted, but maybe I was wrong to think that.

What do you think?

[SharonAnn]

1. Yes. Their rights cannot be limited by what's comfortable for me, anymore than mine

can be limited by what's comfortable for them.

Turn the question around and the answer becomes clear.

[Zhade]

3. Would that make a person who holds such a stance bigoted?

I think so.

[booley]

2. I think so..

Or at least one's personal comfort level should be unimportant.

I dont' claim to understand transexuals. I will even go as far as to say they seem weird to me.

BUT my personal feelings towards transexuals i unimportant. They deserve the same rights as me.

If you follow a moral code only when it suits you, it 's not really a moral code.

[Zhade]

4. So I'm right to say it's wrong to hold that stance?

I was told otherwise.

[Jamastiene]

5. That is at least part of the definition of bigotry...

if not THE definition of bigotry.

Generally speaking, I would say yes, it is bigoted to think people do not deserve equal rights just because they make you uncomfortable. Your comfort level is your problem. Resolving your issues regarding your comfort level is your responsibility. It is not the responsibility of others to spend their entire lives living with subhuman rights just to make your comfortable.

[Zhade]

6. See, that's what I thought.

Yet some disagreed, enough to give me a warning not to call out people for what I think is (and seems to be) bigotry.

I don't get that at all. I thought not supporting equal rights because you're not comfortable with how they might be used IS bigotry. But maybe we're wrong, and the straights saying otherwise are right.

(Yeah. As if.)

[rebel with a cause]

7. Whether I would call this bigotry or bias I am unsure.

the definition for bigotry is = stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own.

The definition for bias is = a particular tendency or inclination, esp. one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.

Either way, it is wrong to base anothers rights in life/their ability to live their life to its fullist on our own beliefs. As long as what they are doing is not hurting another being (human or animal) it should be "live and let live". Personally I do not hold pedophiles in this group (has to do with another thread) and do not think I am biased in not wanting them to forfill their wants.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bigotry

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bias

[Colobo]

8. Rights shouldn't be based on "comfort levels"

but in social fairness.

[Tsiyu]

9. Yes

If we sincerely wish for a free society - one where there truly is "liberty and justice for all" we cannot raise our personal prejudices to a level equal with law.

I may dislike your politics, your clothes or your choice of dinner companions, but I can't use my own personal dissatisfaction with your choices as a basis to deny you the same rights that I am entitled to, with my superior politics, dress and dining mates.

[gravity]

10. Can you name one bigot who supports equal rights?

[Pushed To The Left]

11. K&R! I couldn't care less about bigoted peoples' "comfort levels".

One of the dumbest phrases I have ever heard in regards to treating people equally is "I don't think America is ready for (fill in the blank)". This is why we have to keep the court-stacking Republicans out of the White House and the Senate! A non-partisan Judicial branch doesn't care what bigoted Americans are "ready for"; they care about what's constitutional. If we let the right wing get in power and stack the courts, the Judicial branch will just be another extension of the Republican Party.

[LeftishBrit]

12. No. My friendship for people may depend on whether I feel comfortable with them; but their rights

do not.

I feel pretty uncomfortable around right-wingers, but I feel that even they should have the right to vote!

Equal rights that are only for those with whom you feel comfortable are not equal rights.

[JerseygirlCT]

13. Yes nt

[jus_the_facts]

14. no such thing as equal rights....never has been...never will be...that's all just an illusion

....to keep the masses divided and fightin' amongst themselves....which has and is workin' like a charm for the have and have more's.

[NMMNG]

15. Yes it is

Period.