For those interested in history, legitimate history, not that rewritten by the neo-con right - pick up a book by a University of Chicago scholar (my alma mater) on the history of marriage. You'll note in there an early distinction between marriage for "love" and marriage for "procreation, etc". The former being often between same sex partners, specifically men apparently.
As another Unitarian (raised as one, a rare commodity) I am supposed to respect and love all. I find my "faith" challenged. The religions of today (and yesterday) are so oppressive and hateful that it makes me sick. Take the commercials for the United Methodist Church...and apologies if I've gotten these out of order..."Our minds, our hearts and our doors are open." OPEN MINDS? HA! Sure, unless you're a LBGT person, then don't try to be a clergyperson. The Anglican church is on the verge of civil war over one gay bishop. As a former Jesuit student, if the catholic church were to remove all the gay priests, half the congregations would be gone.
The bible, which is constantly being thumped, was written by men in a manner to secure power. Not a DaVinci code scheme but a real strategy to consolodate power. Ever notice that 90% of the major religious holidays fall on earlier pagan holidays? Wonder why? Was it inspired by a spirit? Who knows? Check out the pagan "green man" symbols on medaeval churches all over europe.
Those same bible thumpers forget all those bits they can't follow. No adultery? Hmmm, we do that...better ignore it. No unclean shellfish? Hmm...can't stop going to Red Lobster. Wife does something bad, stone her. Hmm...great idea, but the police wouldn't like it.
Count up the deaths stemming from those who preach in the name of organized religion and then tell me these people are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, etc.
I am content as a UU to live and let live...but THEY won't let me live...so I find it harder and harder to uphold by open values. I can't let them win though, so persist I must. We shall overcome, but only if we do it ourselves. Stonewall wasn't peaceful. Montgomery Alabama was a pretty dangerous place in the 50s/60s. Antietam wasn't a great place to be in the 1860s. If Bush intends a right wing theocracy then it's time to ACT UP! We did it in the 80s and can do it again.
But isn't this a Disney board? Sorry for the rant!
Gregory
