5 Thoughts: The Idolatry of Gay Bashing

1. READ A LETTER TO THE SF Chronicle’s editor this morning by a gentleman saying he voted for Prop 8, the anti-gay marriage initiative, because heterosexuals own the word “marriage.”

2. I’ve heard this argument before, and like the other arguments favoring less freedom for minorities it does not persuade me. In essence, this particular argument, a favorite of Bible-lovin’ folk, makes a word more important than people.

3. But Bible-lovin’ folk (of which I consider myself one, in some sense) must needs believe that people were created in “God’s” image.

4. And the word “marriage,” like other English words, came to us long after Biblical Hebrew. Like other words, it’s an artifact — a man-made thing — and by definition, not nearly as important as a living, breathing, bloodbeating human being made in God’s image.

5. So why are some Bible-lovin’ folk so quick to commit idolatry?

8 comments for “5 Thoughts: The Idolatry of Gay Bashing

  1. 2010.08.05 at 0715

    A very clever work of sophistry, Neal. But, apart from your logic (which brilliantly hoists those jerks by their own petards – i.e., their foul winds), and most importantly for the courts, the letter writer makes a terrible legal mistake. No person or corporation ever copyrighted the word! 🙂

  2. 2010.08.05 at 0716

    I would suggest,
    1. “Bible-lovin’ folk” are, by definition, “sinners”. Thus, idolatry being a sin, they are likely subject to it.

    2. The very state of being “Bible-lovin’ folk” would imply idolatry of ideas and thus, predisposition to same.

  3. 2010.08.05 at 0716

    @AP: Sophistry? Me say TRUE things. And don’t give “Them” any ideas.
    @TP: “If you don’t know Hebrew, you haven’t read the Bible.” 😉 But your caveats are well-taken.

  4. 2010.08.05 at 0719

    Can’t understand the reasoning or logic behind the pro-Prop 8 arguments — perhaps there is none? “Marriage” is a legal contract licensed and approved by the State — hence “marriage license” and fees for same. Married people have different LEGAL RIGHTS than unmarried people. What’s not to understand?

  5. 2010.08.05 at 0738

    Ignorance, fear and insecurity needs not reason.

  6. 2010.08.05 at 0739

    “The enemies of reason have a certain blind look.”
    Doctor Jacquin to Lieutenant D’Hubert, in Ridley Scott’s first major film _The Duellists_.

  7. 2010.08.05 at 0739

    @NRA
    Ouch!
    Any figures on % of “Bible lovin’ folk” (Americans) who have read the Hebraic original?

  8. 2010.08.05 at 0739

    @TP/DL: Bravo e bravo.
    @TP: No figures, but my guts tell me more American Jews have read the Hebrew original than American non-Jews. Not nearly enough Jews have read either, IMO. (To me, it’s like waving a lightsaber without having seen the six /Star Wars/ films. But I’m weird that way.) It’s one reason I’m learning Hebrew.

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