Where will it all end?

Question

A recent news article I read has me thinking... the question of discrimination has again been raised. The government is debating the sexual orientation regulations, meant to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation when accessing goods or services, and religious groups are up in arms, arguing that the regulations will force them to act against their beliefs.
Is it possible to please all of the people all of the time?
Where will it all end?

Answer 1

There is a quanitative and qualitative difference between the types of "discimination" compalined of by those of different sexial orientations and those who object on religious grounds.

The things the gay/lesbian people complain of other than basic discimination in housing, employment, etc. have to do with with "marriage"--they by law are not entitled to the same benefits as are mandated in the case of hetrosexual couples (companies required to give health care to spouse, children, etc) as well as the rights pertaining to children.

The above rights are real in a very substantive way to day to day life of these individuals in society. In no way do any of these rights infringe upon those with a religious objection to homosexual marriage. It does not effect their access or use of the same rights or their right to marry whom they please or anything else.

The only right that is infringed--and it is not really a right--is that it offends their conception of what is a morally right way for other people to live.

To my way of thinking that is not something that society is bound to protect. We should enforce rights to the extent that other's rights are not infringed. Giving all rights to homosexual indiviuduals and couples does not in any way effect any right of the majority population. Not giving them those rights effects this minority populaiton in a very real and substantive way.

Answer 2

Is it possible to please all of the people all of the time?

Nope! In fact I wonder whether since there seems to be more polarisation between secular thought and the 'Born Again' 'Fundamentalist' views this issue may be the tip of the iceburg?

My personal view is that ultimately it's a question of two different kinds of 'discrimination'.

In one people are being denied services which anyone else may obtain on the basis of something entirely unrelated and uncontrollable. It is therefore little different from other racial/ disability/ cultural discrimination.

In the other, people are being asked to provide services to someone whose lifestyle they think is 'wrong'. I suppose it could be said that this therefore 'discriminatory' in that a smaller proportion of Christians (or Moslems/Jews) may feel able to provide such services than of non-believers.

But the legislation does not stop them from providing such services. It's just that the obligation to serve some customers at some time may make them uncomfortable.

Ultimately it's the discrimination that we should be addressing. The basis for that discrimination is surely irrelevant!

I'm sure KKK members feel that they want nothing to do with gays either (or Catholics, Communists or blacks)! I dare say they could even site religious doctrine to support this . But we wouldn't accommodate their religious beliefs would we?

.

Answer 3

It will end when everyone (including so called religious people) treat everyone as an equal. For example, why should a gay be refused a room at a hotel just because their sexuality is different to the person taking the booking - believe me it happens all the time. If they can, then others providing goods and services should be able to discriminate against Christians if the provider doesn't believe in God. Come to think of it I might try that in my business and put a sign up saying 'homophobic Christians not welcome'.

Answer 4

There was an article in the UK about some church shutting down a number of its services to the poor rather than have to open them for use by gay people.

What book are they using over there, anyway?

Answer 5

It will all end with gays being given the same rights as straights...that is where the world is headed. Americans sometimes tend to think that they are the world. They are not..There are others that are moving along comfortably. That isn't to put America down--just sometimes it's hard to see outside the box.

Answer 6

No it isn't possible and this new law is a perfect of a government that has taken leave of it's senses.
You simply cannot make law that appeases one section of the population at the expense of the deeply held views of another and for which there is no genuine demand other than that of the vocal, trouble-making few.

Answer 7

When we had enough of the sensitivities. Something will probably bring us to our senses, and I'm afraid that it would not be a very pleasant awakening.

Answer 8

Why does this govt keep interfering in minor things when they have so many major things to put right like, Iraq, political corruption, rising crime, crap NHS?

Answer 9

IT WILL ALL END WHEN THE GOVERMENT GET THERE OWN WAY

Answer 10

With God... He is the beginning and the end!