2007-05-16 05:49:57 · 16 answers · asked by ? 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Slavery and segregation were based upon religious beliefs. It was incompatible with religious liberty to treat blacks like equal human beings or equal citizens.
Society changed, and today both slavery and segregation are wrong. People who argue that whites are superior to others and should have access to special privileges unavailable to non-whites -- even if they base their claim on religious beliefs -- are labeled racists and ejected from polite company.
The same will eventually happen with gays in America. Even today, it’s harder to be openly bigoted against gays than it was a couple of decades ago, with the main exception being bigotry framed in religious terms. At some point, though, such bigotry will be treated with the same contempt as racial bigotry framed in religious terms.
Christians will have to choose between social ostracization or modifying their views -- just as they have had to do on racial issues. This isn’t a threat to religious liberty because no one has a religious 'right' to hold and advocate views without social consequences.
Christians who think that equal rights for gays is a threat to their religious beliefs are sincere, but are also sincerely immoral and wrong. People like this have opposed justice and liberty throughout American history -- always for other people, of course, and always on the basis of their religious traditions.
It’s because of them that religion has consistently been on the side of oppressors, even as those seeking justice have tried to turn things around and use it on behalf of liberty.
2007-05-16 06:03:43 · answer #1 · answered by Kedar 7 · 12⤊ 0⤋
Denying equality is what threatens religious liberty. When we enact laws based on a particular religious viewpoint- whether it's the majority view or not, and with no consideration for what's in Society's best interests- we impose on the religious liberty of others. There are, for example, ministers who would like the religious freedom to marry same-sex couples; two ordained ministers were in fact arrested and charged in New Paltz, New York for attempting to do so.
2007-05-16 09:15:04 · answer #2 · answered by kena2mi 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, because any "religion" that is based on God's love should be inclusive, and should include everyone, regardless of "labels" from one side to the other. One should not threaten the other. Gays can't threaten religious liberty and religious liberty cannot threaten the Gay lifestyle.
2007-05-16 09:44:02 · answer #3 · answered by gone 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I believe that religious institutions should greatly fear anything that limits full participation in society for any group, because they could lose their liberty just as easily.
If it's okay to discriminate against gays, next it might be acceptable to discriminate against Lutherans.
No, gay equality does not threaten religious liberty.
2007-05-16 09:23:48 · answer #4 · answered by inactive account 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Only if you call it religious liberty when you expouse homophobia or the joy that people die like Matthew Shepard or the soldiers in the army for example
2007-05-16 10:37:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
so much for separation of church and state.....whatever happened to tolerance in this country? i want a refund!
religious liberty will never be threatened--not with all the special treatment they get.
2007-05-16 10:24:42 · answer #6 · answered by God ◊ Machine 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it doesn't threaten religious liberty in any way.
2007-05-16 06:35:55 · answer #7 · answered by IndyT- For Da Ben Dan 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I personally feel that religious opression is interfearing with liberty for gays in america... if you and your religion or church wants to not allow gay people to marry in your church that is your church's buisness however if your church tells my government that I cannot do so thats not seperation of church and state... I think the reverse is true im not asking for your church to stop and change its belief system but I am asking for my government allow the option for people who dont share your beliefs the freedom to express them
2007-05-16 06:17:59 · answer #8 · answered by zipohda 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The desire to think and decide for one's self is the "threat" to religious community.
There is no threat to religious liberty because nothing stops anyone from worshiping as they want.
2007-05-16 06:15:14 · answer #9 · answered by nycguy10002 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No. We are not taking rights away from people, just ensuring that everybody has them.
Religious people are free to be as bigoted and narrow-minded as they like in regards to homosexuality. That is their right.
I also say don't interfere with religious rights, because the next right curtailed may be one you are personally attached to.
2007-05-16 05:58:29 · answer #10 · answered by ? 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋