dear wally 99 father knows best?

Dear Wally #99

Father knows best?

It’s rare that I respond to a Letter to the Editor, but I couldn’t let last issue’s offering from Pastor Arnold “Gay Marriage Sends Wrong Message” go unchecked. I’m shocked to see such an unsupportive perspective on gay marriage come forth on these BSP editorial pages from a fellow who knows firsthand how much damage repressive societies inflict on their citizens. To suggest, as he does, that what’s happening here in America regarding gay marriage ‘propaganda’ is what happened in the Nazi Germany he narrowly escaped is really outlandish. Just surviving that very dark era should be enough to make him and everyone cherish all humans regardless of sexual orientation. I guess the lesson was forgotten already?? Dang, that didn’t take long.

Pastor Arnold says he fears that the lie of propaganda (presumably that gay marriage is OK) will eventually become accepted as truth if repeated enough. Ummm, too late. Many state legislators, some of whom are God-fearing and most of whom at least nominally represent the will of the citizens, have already accepted it as the truth. It’s not just now in these spiraling days of hedonism, either—There have been gays since the Cavemen days (Gay + cavemen= Gaveman?). Who else would have come up with the Sabertooth tiger skin summer sash and matching ( tar) poolside chiffon wrap??

Meanwhile, the notion that gay marriage is against God’s will has cemented pretty well with some and has been accepted by them as God’s truth because they read it in a book repeatedly and now believe it. Truth through repetition. Right. So why is one propaganda truthier than another, again??

Why wouldn’t God be extraordinarily happy that at least 2 of his flock are not out there killing each other for once? (HE is forever stamping out that brush fire). Moreover, why wouldn’t HE be beside himself with jubilation that 2 of his flock have instead found love and learned to cherish and support each other? It is incidental that both those members of his flock are ewes. Strangely , and slightly off topic, it is ok for rams to fight each other to death but not love each other to death? I’m so confused…

Consider the alternative to gay marriage for those who happen to be gay- a life without socially accepted love or intimate companionship (never mind the legal rights) . Really? Pretty harsh punishment- a deprivation of the human experience, which is, at the end of the day, all we have and it damn well includes the right to love and be loved as well as the obligation to do no harm to others. Wait…Doesn’t institutionally denying that sound a little , errr, repressive? Remind you of anything from your past, Pastor?

Gays love raisins and put them on everything. Plus they make great parents. They can love and support and encourage kids (and small lap dogs) as well as anyone. I’m pretty sure they cry real tears and bleed red blood, too. They also pay taxes and volunteer. And get this, Pastors everywhere: Statistically , gays are already part of your own congregations! Look around see if you can find them. I’ll give you a hint- they probably are the really sharp dressed ones (or the ones in matching Adidas track suits).

Is this rigid stance against gay marriage something members of the community, men and women of the cloth and ambassadors of God’s love, really feel is ok policy to force on people who have not decided to be gay because it’s fun, but instead because it’s just the way they are? Whose god would be that intolerant? What squeaky messenger wouldn’t at least question that message? Is it not time to consider softening an interpretation of the Operator’s Manual that was written such a long time ago? And in so doing exercise a little human compassion? Sadly, intolerance has quite a shelf life-- longer, I’m afraid, than our own journey from ashes to ashes.

Pastor, you are right that prayer for our children is in order. Ask the Catholic church’s lawyers and insurance companies exactly whose behavior is ‘confusing’ the young boys and girls today…

I recently explained to my 3 year old that Dylan has two mommies. You know what she said? “Oh. What’s for lunch?” Confused? Yes, but not as confused as you, apparently.

I saw a great billboard in NYC. It said, “Don’t like gay marriage? Then don’t get gay married.”

Someone pass me a Slurpy. And hold the raisins.

--Wally (cwn4@aol.com)

PS- I am glad you have exercised your right to articulated your perspective. Debate on matters of opinion, however, is pointless, Pastor Arnold. Let’s settle this like real men and wrestle it out naked in a vat of slippery lime Jello!

Oh, one last thing- I am a heterosexual minister too. With great honor and joy, I have married , and will continue to marry, happy loving couples.