My Journey through Breast Cancer

On October 11, 2013, I was diagnosed with Stage II Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) ... or as we like to call it, extreme measures for a nap (EMFN). For a while, this blog will be my cancer journal. Enter at your own risk.

28 October 2008

tolerance

I don't generally choose to attempt to wax eloquent on current events and politics, but I'm so riled up over Prop 8 right now I simply don't have a choice. Please forgive me.

I believe it is possible for what was once a strength to be practiced to such excess it becomes a weakness. The American value for individualism is a good example of this ... what made us strong and entrepreneurial as we sought our own way in the world has turned into a certain arrogance and selfishness, a "my way or the highway" attitude about life and the pursuit of happiness. It doesn't matter over whom we trample as long as we get where our independence and personal drive is taking us.

Another such American value that is becoming a problem is tolerance. I understand and fully stand behind the call to accept and love all people. Jesus tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to love our enemies, and to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (Did you know the Golden Rule is biblical? See Luke 6:31, and Matthew 7:12).

But tolerance has become such a mantra of society that it now bleeds beyond loving our neighbor to loving our neighbors' ideas ... all of them, even if they contradict our own ideas or values or belief systems. In fact, the more contradictory or left of mainstream they are, the important it is to embrace them. Over time, the ideas and agendas of the minority have come to eclipse those of the majority to the point where any idea or agenda of the majority is equal to oppression of smaller sects. When I don't agree with an idea (socialism), an agenda (gay marriage) or a belief system (everything but Christianity ... I suppose I am quite narrow there), I am a bigot, unfair, unloving and totalitarian in nature. But where in the Constitution is it written that I am not allowed to have a belief, or hold moral points of view, that disagree with another? And yet this is where the value of tolerance has brought us today. We are to tolerate everything, which means we can stand for nothing.

In California this value has paved the way for extreme changes in moral legislation. Proposition 8, defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. The gay and lesbian community is a moral minority in this country. In fact, general consensus counts the gay and lesbian population to range between 2-4% ( source). And not that I want to silence the voice of the minority, that is one of the tenets that makes this country great ... everyone can have a voice. However, this particular voice is forcing its morality on me and the rest of the state by trying to lock into constitutional law its sinful ways as "normal."

What gets me about this whole thing is that every "right" married couples have is offered to gay and lesbian couples under civil union. The fight for marriage is about acceptance of their behavior as mainstream, normal, and no longer sinful. Its not about marriage. And the ramifications of Proposition 8 not passing are a bit scary. You can go to the Prop 8 website for more info on the particulars. Also, check out stories out of Massachusetts where homosexuality is being taught in schools as young as kindergarten, with absolutely no obligation to even inform parents what their kids are being taught.

I came across a few other good articles, here and here, about the ramifications of gay marriage becoming law in California.

I don't feel the need to impose my moral values on others, forcing them to choose a lifestyle, a religion or a value system I agree with. I recently read somewhere a person asking the question "Why should the values of the majority be forced on the minority?" I simply reverse this silly question and say "Why should the values of the minority be forced on the majority?" And make no mistake, if marriage fails to be defined traditionally in next week's election, Christians are going to feel it. Pastors will no longer be free to talk about homosexuality as a sin. They will be required to perform gay and lesbian weddings when requested, or risk being arrested on account of discrimination. Kids in school will begin to learn about gay families as normal (and don't even get me STARTED on the effects this will have on our kids).

I could go on and on ... but I won't. Just google "effects of gay marriage in Europe" or "... in Massachusetts," and you'll find some fascinating studies. I am in awe of the audacity of this small portion of society playing with natural laws that have been in place since the beginning of the human race. Never before in society has such a redefinition of the family been proposed. The effects can only continue to degrade the family unit, already in so much trouble in this country. And it is the strength of the family unit that makes a society strong. And then of course, there's the beginning of the "slippery slope" of defining marriage. The gay community will deny it of course, but making gay marriage legal begins to pave the way for all kinds of various definitions of marriage.

Its interesting, for the first time in my life, an issue has come up that involves actual persecution of my beliefs. On that note, I think Christians in America are on the verge of some serious challenges to their commitment to Jesus, to the Bible, to their faith. Will we stand strong? Will we resist the "persuasive arguments" of the enemy (Col. 2:8)? I hope so. I think if the Christian community in this country would just stand united, we could accomplish some amazing things. Maybe a little baptism by fire is all we need ....

Please please please ... even if you have no idea how to vote on anything else in this election, VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 8!!

6 comments:

Gretchen said...

Amen! Thank you for this eloquant post! It feels like the noose is being tightened around Christians necks....

Anonymous said...

Heidi, This is Dick Martin. Thanks for the blog on Prop. 8. The issue of tolerance is dealt with very well in a lecture by J. P. Moreland http://veritas.org/media/talks/474
where he differentiates between the classical concept of tolerance and the current meaning of tolerance. Well worth the listen.

Greetings to you all. Glad you are so happily married to the man of your dreams. I have been married to the girl of my dreams for 40 years and it only gets better and better.

(Sorry this is anonymous. I haven't figgered out the Google/blogger thing yet.)

In His Grip,

Dick

Anonymous said...

You've clearly stated many of the same thoughts that have been rolling around in my head the last few weeks. Good job!

Mom Dub

Erin said...

Thanks for your post, Heidi. You did a great job explaining my sentiments...even if I'm not in California anymore, I know that what happens in California will eventually trickle down to the rest of the country.

melanie said...

Very well written, Hide! Kuddos!

Unknown said...

Heidi~
You are such a great writer, I could hear your voice as I read this ...
Thanks for articulating so well this most critical of issues on our Ca ballot...I have a yes on 8 sign out front of our gate. I don't have one for any of the candidates, (even though this is, I think the most critical of pres. elections that I can remember). The moral/social/legal implications are so immense with 8 that I don't want those who pass the sign to be distracted by anything other message...(1 of my signs was removed by someone). tomorrow, nov. 3rd will be a day of prayer and fasting for many...we need the Lord's intervention on our behalf like never before. Thanks for your bold voice, Heidi!