NOTHING IS SACRED.

This story from The Arizona Daily Star just made my head explode.

Governor Jan Brewer, the leather face you see pictured, signed away domestic partner benefits that were enacted last year with one little signature. Why? Because God told her to.

This is yet another example of why the separation of church and state has to be tirelessly fought for. As liberals, we tend to try and be the party of inclusiveness, which is wonderful except when Evangelicals have spent the past twenty-five years successfully chipping away at the separation of church and state.

Social contract states that we're supposed to be respectful of each others' religions. I say bullshit. I resent the idea that I'm supposed to be respectful of people's religious beliefs, even when those beliefs seek to marginalize me and my family to second-class citizenship. I'm tired of watching reason erode because of the mouth breathers' sky god.

I say ask questions and ask them often. If people are so secure in their beliefs then they should be perfectly willing to answer questions about them. Par example: why is it okay for you to pick and choose which ancient scripture you choose to follow, revised time and time again by men, and throw away what you feel isn't relevant? How can you believe that Adam and Eve were the first humans when science proves that this isn't so? Where do you think heaven and hell exist and, assuming they don't exist on a physical plane, what exactly is the science behind all this? Etc.

We cannot afford to live in a Christian Theocracy. Theocracies are really for Muslims, and I think both religions suck about the same.

Comments

[Patrick]

I couldn't agree more. This is utterly ridiculous.

[Tom]

Bleah! There is nothing else to say about this kind of backward thinking!

[Melissa]

How can you write about wanting social justice for queers and drop bullshit like "Theocracies are really for Muslims". What do you mean by that? You musn't know any. I know Muslims who work for justice and hate fundamentalism and I know plenty of fascist queers- even some who claim, like yourself, to be "liberal."

[Josh]

@Melissa

I'm aware that there are wonderful people who are Muslim. I also have Muslim friends and as a New Yorker I enjoy an incredibly diverse and rich community. That said, I happen to think all religion is bad and dangerous, not just fundamentalism. There happens to be what is true and provable and then there is the imaginary or mythical. Enough said. You don't believe in Thor (I hope) because you recognize the idea of his existence to be preposterous. If that is so, I assume you also wouldn't want followers of Thor making public policy and, worse yet, using their religious beliefs to oppress people. Enough said.

Queers, and I hope you mean that in the hip modern way, cannot be fascist as a community. You need power to do that, of which we have none due to religion. Further, your comparisons between queers and members of religious communities are logical disconnects. One is inborn and one is a choice (in spite of your religion tells you, AGAIN.) They cannot be compared.

Lastly, "How can you write about wanting social justice for queers and drop bullshit like 'Theocracies are really for Muslims'." I'm hard pressed to think of a non Muslim Theocracy right now.

xoxo
Josh