Comments on: Ruby-Sachs: Trying to Love the Religious Right

By: Not religious...BUT..

Not religious...BUT.. — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:53:14 +0000

One doesn’t have to go to church or synagogue necessarily, but I suspect some people find it more fulfilling to be interacting with others on weekend mornings, in a setting where ostensibly they’re supposed to focus on doing better for others (often other members of the community one wouldn’t come into contact with otherwise), than to be sitting in bed reading made-up stories in a paper like the NY Times. (Though I’ll grant that doing hands-on charity work on the weekends might be even better).

By: TigerTzu

TigerTzu — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:10:48 +0000

“The religious right is doing itself no favors by promoting over-the-top analyses of the social issues. If they refuse to promote understanding, it is up to us to search it out. That is, and will continue to be, the best way to achieve equality for LGBT Americans in all states.”

Uummmmmm, yeah. We know just how productive this very strategy has been over the last 40 years. You know, for once it would be refreshing for a GLBT activist/leader to advocate kicking ass as much as most advocate kissing ass.

By: Matthew s

Matthew s — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:36:41 +0000

I think you are correct with your first thoughts on the matter. Don’t give in the religious right wants us exterminated, not physically. They do not want us to exist. I want nothing to do with any organization that will not accept me.

By: charlie

charlie — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:06:48 +0000

Well said by all of the above!
Ruby, next time you pop your head out of your butt to watch some TV, try watching something more meaningful and relevant to the real world than any religious program- l SpongeBob Squarepants! Granted its not as unrealistic & hateful but it may help you understand things better.

By: SteveMD2

SteveMD2 — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 07:48:43 +0000

I’ll take a look at it. But what I hear is that these groups fail miserably, eg think of that Ted Haggard christian minister type, who got outed by his gay PROSTITUTE BF. Then he claimed he got cured. And then he got outed as being involved (“but wenever touched”) with an 18 year old (he’s prob 45-50, and btw one of the gayest people I have ever seen in a picture – instant recognition he was gay in the Movie Constantines Sword, before I realized who he was as I scanned ahead in the movie.

All these groups do is create internal conflict in people between their religious implanted beliefs that call them a sinner, and their desires / interests in other same sex people. Lousy way to live. Great path to suicide. For depression, which is the key element leading to most suicides is the inner conflict between competing emotions which usually are not really understood at the conscious level.

By: Aiden Raccoon

Aiden Raccoon — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 00:54:32 +0000

Not only do ex-gay programs hurt even the willing in these programs. They hurt the unsuspecting women who these “now back in the closet” gays marry.

By: James

James — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 03:50:01 +0000

I see no reason to waste any of my life’s energy or resources on any person or institution that wants me dead or that believes I am “less than” human. Unless the members of the Abrahamic religions, notoriously patriarchal and completely regressive in their worldview, bother me or somehow try to diminish my personhood, I have chosen to ignore them. However, should they behave as they did in the Proposition H8 campaign in California, they are asking for trouble and many will will join in peaceful, non-violent confrontations, resistance, and in-your-face actions wherever possible and wherever it will serve to show them that the modern world is fed up with their hypocrisy and closed-heartedness.

By: avntr99

avntr99 — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 01:16:47 +0000

Why? Your statements about searching out for understanding and then it is “the best way to achieve equality” in these United States: It’s a non-sequitur.

By: p.Johanna

p.Johanna — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:22:57 +0000

I read your piece twice. From what I understand, you are stating that we need the Religious Right to put more of their hate on the media to kill themselves, right? If so, I can see your point, but at the same time, I disagree. Their hatred and bigotry tends to taint peoples mind about us. People that allow themselves to be brainwashed and be followers of idiots.

By: Debra

Debra — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:57:14 +0000

Randy….preaching non-belief seems no different to me. Why not spiritual freedom, or just plain freedom? Dogma either way has become revolting to me. I have my own thoughts of a higher power, but those are my thoughts and they have served me well. I personally can’t imagine living without my beliefs, but I don’t have to worry about that because no one can take my private thoughts away from me. This is just an observation…nothing personal against you Randy. I am tired of these wingnuts feeling as though they have the “god market” cornered. It seems to lead directly to atheism, and that is frustrating as hell to me. It doesn’t have to be this way.