I'm not sure when tolerance became synonymous with intolerance and being a Christian was somehow "offensive" to society. Why is being a Christian and supporting Prop 8 somehow offensive?
Those who supported Prop 8 used a Constitutionally recognized forum for determining law: the ballot box. They didn't break any laws as the votes were legal. Those who did not support Prop 8 have used a tyrant's tactic for controlling political outcome: bullying, ridicule, and harassment.
The recent acts of hatred have spread throughout the country after Proposition 8 was passed in California. Regardless of whether people were for or against the proposition, we don't live in a third world country where folks unhappy with a ballot initiative have a right to protest at the expense of others. Protests have gotten ugly and people are forgetting that part of disagreeing in America means having respect for others- even if they don't share our ideas.
Respect for others and agreeing to disagree peacefully epitomizes tolerance. Last I checked, tolerance and inclusion was one of the founding pillars of our Constitution.
Attending another person's church service for the sole purpose of making a mockery of their beliefs is not something to be proud of. Protesting peacefully is legal while defaming a church is not- those acts seem to mirror hate crimes. What some of the Prop 8 opponents are doing is not part of the Civil Rights movement. What these folks are doing is shameful and sets the true Civil Rights movement back in the eyes of society. Tolerance must go both ways. In as much as one side wants respect- they must also give it. Demeaning others to get a point across isn't demonstrative of of being a tolerant person.
On to the bigger subject. When did being a Christian be a bad thing? I remember reading that those who followed Christ would not have it easy. They would be ridiculed and cursed for His name.
Early Christian had to practice their rights is hiding during the Roman Empire. One of the only safe paces was the catacombs. I have had the privilege of seeing catacomb walls that read "Pray for Peter, Pray for Paul" dating back to the death of Christ when early Christians found refuge among their dead.
I feel as though these times press a Christian to hide his or her beliefs in the name of tolerance. No one wants to hear that someone is a Christian. We'd rather talk about kids, vacation, and even politics- yet as these are important, why is God off limits? We can't say Merry Christmas and City Hall can't wish us one.
We can talk about diversity all day long- but we aren't walking the walk. We must as a society move past this. We have to stop removing religion and embrace it. All of them.
As a Soldier, I took an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies. Seems like intolerance of Christian faith is one of them.
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