Discrimination and Harassment

Some online dictionaries say that "discrimination against" means to treat a person worse than you treat others, or to treat them according to what you think their group deserves--in a negative way--rather than according to their merit.  

When I was young, I was forced to go on social assistance and I felt very bad about it.  But I saw a sign somewhere that said everyone should be treated with human dignity and worth...and I appreciated it very much.  I was kind of surprised, actually.  And I believe it's true that everyone should be treated with a certain amount of dignity.  

People know what harassment and bullying mean.  Nobody wants to be treated in that way.  It's sad when it happens.

As for the LGBTQs, I'd like to see those Christians who've been somewhat isolated and prejudiced--maybe they were busy with work elsewhere and haven't been exposed to gays--to understand that it's not just about homosexuality versus no homosexuality.  It's about stopping the discrimination and harassment, as far as possible.  Christians are supposed to be kind and helpful, and I don't believe true Christians would want to interfere in this work.  I believe the special police project has been dealing with this kind of a business for some time...and some others are just catching up now.  I'm sorry if I wasn't able to help with some discussion earlier.  

Some Gays Have Been Combative, but can we get past defensiveness?

Some gays that I've heard of from more than one person, in both Canada and the United States, have been combative towards conservative Christians or towards my church and our church schools.  And some of the Christians are on the defensive.  That's an issue, in my opinion.  The Christians think it's a question of accepting homosexuality or holding a standard against it?  But the way I see it is our society needs--as they have been doing--to reduce the discrimination and harassment against LGBTQs, as well as against other marginalized groups.

What does discrimination and harassment mean?  Where do we draw the line?  It's been noted by politicians that there may be a conflict between religious rights and minority rights, in some cases.  Religious people would like to keep their religious rights.  But is it always necessary--not to say that religion isn't significant?  Is a Christian harmed in any way by baking a cake for a gay wedding...?

Do Christians think it's okay for gays to be treated badly, in general, in our society?  Or would they want to help see them treated with dignity and fairness like other people expect to be treated?  We're all human beings, after all.

Myself, I've expressed views in my "church pamphlet," which is posted in this blog.  [If you scroll down a little, you'll see a post.]  My church headquarters have joined the proposed Fairness For All Act to support it.  They don't want gays to be harassed or bullied, but they don't want to give employment at this time....

In the special police project, some parties have been allowed to have some unrealistic expectations, as far as I've seen.  But if we'd resolve the legitimate concerns, I think the frivolous ones would disappear--or they would soon be dealt with.

The police project has several lawyers helping them.  One of them has worked with me somewhat--even if at arm's length--on the gay issues.  Otherwise it would've been hard for me to work on everything by myself.

Was I Calling Anyone a Bigot?

Was I meaning to call anyone names in my previous post?  No, I just wanted to encourage people to think about what their views were, where they came from, and to consider if they needed to change...?  I also wanted to let any church friends know that there's a practical consideration regarding the church that needs attention, in my opinion.  

If church members are interested, they can look up the proposed "Fairness For All Act," which may not be quite so fair...?  A respectable lawyer in my church wrote an article against this Act a while ago and I posted a link in my Facebook earlier....  [Don't have it handy right now.]  My church and other parties were promoting this Act.  The main legislation, which has already been partially passed in Congress in the USA, is called the "Equality Act."  There are one or two minor issues which I disagree with but otherwise, I think it's good.  It's possible it could be passed at any time....  

Myself, I've had the opportunity to study gay issues for over 20 years, and it was because of the Landlord/Tenant case that I was brought into by a gay landlady....  That, and some issues with the police....  

What is a Bigot?

In my opinion, conservative Christians have a right to follow the Bible and to not condone homosexuality.  But in the western world within the past 50 years and more, Christians have gone beyond that.  The practise of homosexuality was seen as a crime and as a psychiatric illness.  More recently, there was the quotation that linked pedophilia, bestiality, polygamy, and homosexuality together.  Maybe some Christians still haven't processed their views?  And from what I've heard, some gays and politicians have made awkward and/or aggressive attempts to make their issues known to conservatives; and I've seen these Christians become MORE resistant to homosexuals and their rights--because they didn't understand?

Myself, I'd like to apologize on behalf of all the aggressive and sometimes misguided gays and their supporters.  Please forgive them.  And let's not fight, let's talk....

The book of Romans, chapter 1, in the Bible speaks of people who carelessly drifted away from God and got into sin....  But the second chapter is all about how Christians shouldn't judge others, and shouldn't be angry and hostile towards them!  We can set our boundaries; and I believe churches have the right to hire only members in good standing as pastors and teachers?  (Will try to confirm this.)

My dictionary says a bigot is:  "One blindly and obstinately devoted to a particular creed or party."  I believe we should make an effort to understand what our beliefs are about...!  Some prejudiced people aren't Christians, but do they want to be decent people?  A bigot is not a nice word in our society.  I believe we shouldn't put unreasonable pressures and demands on LGBTQ people....  [Currently, my church, and a few other parties with their concerns, is wanting to deny employment to gays in common labour positions because they say it interferes in their religion...they want to avoid the possibility of paying health benefits to families of married gays.]

A Firm Line Needed

Have heard from a few people--including a party in the special police project--that they're concerned about homosexual pedophiles, especially some who are called "Minor Attracted Persons," or MAPs.  They say some MAPs act on their feelings, and some don't.  Nevertheless, I agree with the Bible that:  "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret."  Ephesians 5:11, 12.  KJV.  [The Catholic Bible is similar.]  For the record, I've never heard of anyone within the police project who wants to support pedophiles of any kind.  The police, more than others, should be aware that any sexual activities with under-age people are abusive or criminal.  We need to be clear about this.  And I believe the pedophiles--by whatever name--deserve censure.  [If some haven't been acting out, that's a help; and I hope they'll stay that way and find other interests.  I believe God wants to help us make good choices and to do healthy, constructive activities.  And to find healthy relationships.]

As far as same-sex marriage goes, it always concerns two adults.  There used to be criminal laws against the practise of homosexuality but I believe those laws were unjust, as I've mentioned a few times in my church pamphlet.  Criminal laws which protect children and minor youths are not unjust.  Children and youths aren't able to give a responsible consent.  They're not mature enough and they're still growing and changing.  So, I believe we need to draw a firm line between gay marriage and any kind of pedophilia.--They're not related except possibly in some unusual situation.  I believe gay people need the freedom to be allowed to try to improve their lives by marriage, and we shouldn't make unjust comparisons with fringe problems.  In the past, some people used to associate all gays, or homosexuals, with pedophilia and it wasn't fair.  Have written about it in page 8 of my pamphlet, posted on April 25, 2022.

In adult sexual relationships, consent is important.  Nobody is legally allowed to force themselves on another person.  I don't believe that's going to change.  And minor persons aren't able to give an intelligent consent, as I said.  Same-sex marriage involves two consenting adults.  

Update--continued

Would like to clarify that the FIRST purpose in my own publicity is that I don't want people to continue to be offended from past misunderstandings and problems.  Also, I need to give SOME indication that SOMETHING is going on, even though I can't prove it...but it's not concerning the past Landlord/Tenant matter any longer--not for a long time.--And I think that's the main thing that people want to know about....  (There are some who are waiting to see a resolution to the special police project and I hope they will soon but it's not entirely up to me, and I can't force the police to do what we want....)

If they read my blog, my church friends will see that I'm promoting some LGBTQ issues....  If the church people have an interest, I don't want to make a big fuss or controversy but I'd ask them to pray about these matters.  That's all I want for the gay issues, and I believe prayer is effective.

Update

One of the main things I'm working on right now is to be able to advertise to my fellow church members across Canada about the true facts of my involvement in the special police project, although I'm not trying to prove anything...but I don't want people to be offended about past misunderstandings....  The former Landlord/Tenant matter and the related circumstances had been used to draw me into the police project....  In some ways, if I'd been a stronger person I wouldn't have been detained...but there was a good purpose intended, overall, except for the false gay story that still is circulating....  Anyway, I have an opportunity to do some good and I just need to wait for approval from some church authorities....  [Then, if I'm approved, I'll still have to wait for a publication process.]

In the USA, a Respect for Marriage Act was passed last week and it involves the acceptance of gay marriages which have already been performed....  Earlier, the Supreme Court had given approval but it wasn't made into law until now--after the President's final signature, which I'm sure will be forthcoming....  So, the Supreme Court won't have power to take away the rights, like they did with abortion recently.  I understand the marriage law allows some concessions for churches who don't believe in the practise of homosexuality.  

Am not sure if all the election results from last November are quite finished yet?  They were waiting to pass the Equality Act, a civil rights law which includes sexual orientation....  Of course, the Democrats support this law but the Republicans and some churches have been resisting....  I wish the United States the best with this law.

At least I have something legitimate to work on and I'll do my best to clear up misunderstandings....  These problems happened some time ago but people still seem to remember them.  

As for my church, I found out there's a department at the headquarters called the Biblical Research Institute; and they seem to be the real thinktank for the church's policies....  I sent them a few of what I believe were brief but pointed emails--and only short emails are allowed in the general mailbox.  They were "friendly pokes," in my opinion, and I don't know what else I can do?  They can take my ideas, or leave them.  Myself, I've had over 20 years to study LGBTQ issues, and something about abortion, and I can't expect everyone to change their views very quickly....  May God bless.