Comments on: White Guy’s Response to Proselytizing Religious Fundamentalist

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:04:07 +0000

Luke,
Webster’s Dictionary defines proselytizing this way: 1: To induce someone to convert to one’s faith 2: to recruit someone to join one’s party, institution or cause.
That being said don’t you proselytize? Isn’t that your job in fact? If a person truly believes in a cause or a point of view as you do wouldn’t you consider it a breach of their moral responsibility if they did not speak out? Would any politician be effective at all if he was not actively trying to bring other people to see the point of view he or she advocates?
My question is why is it acceptable for you to tell the person whom you labeled the “Proselytizing Religious Fundamentalist” that you consider yourself to be a trumpet also; and yet you encourage him to embrace those people who do not perceive themselves the way he perceives them? Does this depend on the message that is being communicated? Why is it called persuasion when you do it but when he is intentionally labeled in a manner that conjures up images of a religious nut?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:33:36 +0000

Luke,

Your response captures so much of my personal belief and feelings. My shades of bias and prejudice seem to emerge at the moment I personally become overly judgmental, uncomfortable, and irrational without having knowledge, understanding or a personal relationship with the difference I am challenged by. Fear tries to take over.

I often try and imagine how different my life would be, how “successful” would I be in life, if my entry point into life was different from how I identify (white, male, heterosexual, Christian, able-bodied, US citizen, financially secure etc.). I am not arrogant enough to believe I am that talented and gifted to pull myself up by my “bootstraps” and bust through all the systemic barriers and disadvantages I would face for being different…probably not. Ironically, I would be the one on the receiving end of my fear generated hate and discrimination.

Thinking about this usually shifts my fear towards respect, sensitivity and a desire to use my various forms of privilege to serve creation without looking for recognition and reward. Getting pats on the back is not part of the deal going against the grain. I have also come to understand that by trying to do this doesn’t make me feel less whole. Changing my behavior to accept, respect and be fair with the other person to help make them feel whole only deepens who I am and my faith belief. I become more whole.

Thank you for all you are doing to open my mind to the “majestic range and complexity of the human condition.”

Remain strong.

Frank

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:05:27 +0000

Commenter: You have your beliefs and that’s fine but don’t expect everyone to share them. We have freedom of religion in this country for a reason. Sometimes I wish it was freedom FROM religion in this country. There seems to be so much hate and intolerance spawned from religious beliefs. That is no religion that I would ever be a part of.

On another note your comparisons are way off base. I’ll give you an example. You stated “You may have your opinions and promote immorality by stating removing your genitals to become something you can never become is okay, and that people can do what ever they wish. This is incorrect. Just imagine living next door to a repeated rape or sex offender? One changes their mind very quickly.”

Really, I mean to say that someone who alters their bodies is like a sex offender, come on. First of all, sex offenders are breaking the law and doing harm to others. People who get sex change operations are not breaking the law or hurting anyone. And watch out people who get tattoos or piercing, you are immoral and likened to a sex offender for not being exactly how “God” made you. Someone who get pins put their leg after breaking it is also in this case altering their bodies and the doctor who did the surgery is not without fault either.