You want to know what I fucking hate about the family friendly enforcers here in the US who scream the roof down at every dirty word uttered in public? Their sociopathic silence concerning the violence our “liberation” of Iraq has unleashed and the violence in the name of religion coming out of Iran or the Taliban and their fellow travelers in Iraq, so long as that violence is directed at gay people or women.
Take a look at this photo:
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Kind of makes you wonder what happened huh? Car accident? Horrible explosion?
Yeah, well, it seems the man in the photo was in Iran. He was at a barbecue and drank a beer. And the police saw him. He got 130 lashes. I shit you not.Â
The distinction between the religious fanatics who inflicted this punishment and the religious fanatics in the US who keep demanding we legislate biblical morality is only one of degree, not intent.
Since we invaded conquered occupied“liberated” Iraq, gay men are increasingly becoming victims of violence, torture and murder in the name of religion.Â
As Terrance at republicoft says:
There is an irony here, that a war supposedly intended to establish democracy in Iraq — one intensely and belligerently supported by American fundamentalists (at least some of whom have openly proclaimed a holy war and declared that only “spreading the message of Jesus Christ†will stabilize Iraq — has instead created a chaotic vacuum in which a kind of guerilla theocracy thrives. Unsurprisingly, it’s a reality that spells trouble for gay, lesbian and transgendered Iraqis in the same way it would for LGBT Americans if the same happened here. And in Iraq, there’s a warning worth heeding: nonconforming heterosexuals are in as much danger as queers.
As a good friend of mine loves to point out that our religious radicals and hard-line Christianists have more in common with the religious radicals and hard-line Islamists than either group has with moderates and liberals of their own faiths. It’s time – it’s past time – to stop putting up with this kind of murderous fanaticism. And don’t forget the “honor” killings of women. And don’t overlook the fact that the US, working with radically conservative Islamic nations, is working its fingers to the bone to prevent UN agencies from condemning things like female genital mutilation, women actually having reproductive freedom. You know, that kind of thing.
Here’s the deal: Either we acknowledge the full personhood of women, queer folk, children, or we don’t. Whether its the soft kind of denial (claiming separate spheres and skills like the LTE I mocked last week) or the hard kind of denail that leads to murder, whether its deliberate ignorance of the nature of sexual orientation ( as was demonstrated in the LDS church’s “interview” about homosexuality from a few months back) or deliberate murderous violence such as that against GLBT folks in Iraq these days, the substance is the same – it’s just a matter of degree. And like Richard Dawkins, I do not believe claiming your bigotry and violence is religiously motivated should give you any special protection or claim to accuracy and truth. Bigotry is bigotry is bigotry (apologies to Gertrude Stein).
#1 by Frank Staheli on May 21, 2007 - 4:36 pm
I have recently had the good pleasure of getting to know two different Indian men, one who is Muslim, and one who is a follower of Hindu. They independently agree that western influence (i.e. “spreading the message of Jesus Christ” essentially at the point of a sword) has caused a fair amount (i.e. nearly all?) of animosity between Islam and Hindu in India.
#2 by Bryan Catherman on May 22, 2007 - 7:34 am
I’m always hesitant to respond with these kinds of comments for fear of being crucified by the Christian “club.†But at the same time, I don’t like seeing the broad brush used to describe Christians because it neglects many Christians, who aren’t voicing up crazy opinions, but rather, living their faith and going on about their lives. That same brush does a disservice to the Church (or parts of the Church) that ARE trying to live the teaching of Jesus, such as loving their neighbors and seeking to become peacemakers.
It’s awful to see what is happening in the world in the name of Jesus Christ (also remembering that everything done in the name of Jesus Christ isn’t necessarily bad or resembles anything like these beatings or the foul treatment of women or the condemnation and harassment of LGBT segments of our communities). As a Christian myself, I am discussed by these actions; but then I struggle with much less– a little bile comes up when I hear the political rhetoric of the Religious Right or the Christian Coalition or any Christian “club†proclaiming their hate for another segment of people.
Christ reached out to the lowliest segments of society; most people already know this. The only people I can find (recorded in the four accounts of his life collected in the Bible) that he attacked (and he even did this in discussion method, not screaming at the top of his lungs) were the ultra religious folks that were spending most of their time condemning others and flaunting their own brand of holiness. Paul reached out to the Gentiles against pressure from other Apostles that felt that only the Jews were worthy (most Jews looked down on the Gentiles).
Donald Miller (author of a great book called Blue Like Jazz, and another good book titled Searching For God Knows What) argues that the Bible is one big narrative that tells a story, not some book of bullet points. But the fundamentalist Christian types take one sentence (from many, many sentences) and use it to justify treating people very badly. Jesus, and dudes like Paul, weren’t like that at all. They’d be hanging out in the bars to be closer to the common people. They’d be on the streets or in drum circles on in Pioneer Park, but also on Temple Square because there are people there. I think Jesus would be downtown on Gay Pride day, but he wouldn’t be the freak holding the picket sign. He’d be handing out water to thirsty people and meeting them where they are. And I think he’d be down town again during the Days of 47 Parade, just hanging out with the community.
If you listen, most of the fundamentalists quote Old Testament stuff, neglecting the larger narrative from where the scripture came, and also neglecting the teaching of the peace-loving, hippy, radical Jesus. It’s about a club mentality for them and it’s sad.
I agree with everything you said here. But I also hope your readers understand that this is not every Christian. Not every Christian votes Republican. Sure, some do, but not all of them. Not every Christian hates people for the sake of religious groupthink. (We’re called to love our neighbors. That means women and LGBT and those of differing faiths. That doesn’t me we have to accept unorthodox practices as doctrine. It simply means we serve and love each other and people and seek peace in our community. Diversity is beautiful.) It’s also my hope that when I meet LGBT peoples, or people of other faiths, or whoever in my community (Sugar House), they don’t make automatic assumptions about me and hate me for the sake of hate or revenge. It’s that’s the case, we’ll never be able to hang out and bullshit over a plate of hot wings and beers. That’s the negative side of the broad brush and it paints both ways.
#3 by Robyn Wills on May 22, 2007 - 2:03 pm
We often bring up Christianity in these discussions and it quickly becomes a debate over just that, and the real issues get brushed away. While I am the first to admit there are Christians who do not believe in the killing of GLBT persons, the fact remains that few openly welcome such into their communities. In rural America, Transgendered people are often called “Perverts.” They are ridiculed and scorned. My own lover (who is also trans) is about to become homeless because of just this kind of prejudice.
Convicted of a crime I am convinced she did not commit, Shonda is unable to leave the county. Her crime? She came out of the closet to her wife (at that time she was still presenting as male) and two days later, was arrested for supposedly molesting their children. I don’t know about anyone else, but I find the timing on that real suspicious. To further add insult to injury, she was court ordered to see several doctors, all of whom doped her up. The result? A plea-bargain of guilty. Nice way to get a divorce. Here in Oregon, that happens all too often.
So do we have to travel overseas to find GLBT oppression? I think not. While visiting places like Yamhill County, Oregon, I have been threatened with being hung and being shot. Even here in Portland, I have been threatened with beatings for being openly transsexual, although the longer I am on hormones, the less that occurs. Still, my point is: Should this happen at all?
No.
It is not enough to read articles like this and feel sorry for the victims (although I know we all do). Something must be done. A good starting place is sites like http://www.tolerance.org/index.jsp or http://www.cdt.org. What I am really suggesting is this: Get involved!
#4 by Bryan Catherman on May 22, 2007 - 4:24 pm
nbsp;Tolerance.org is a nice looking website and is far a great way to get involved. (I’ve yet to look at the other site Robyn Wills mentioned, but I will.) Thanks!
#5 by Robyn Wills on May 23, 2007 - 1:17 am
Bryan,
Not a problem. My own involvement often involves helping addicts and alcoholics in general, but I also do online support for transsexuals at http://www.lauras-playground.com/index.htm . This site even requires it’s moderators to take the National Center for Suicide Prevention Training course – the same online course that suicide hotline workers are required to take (http://www.ncspt.org/). I am a current enrollee there.
I just hope you realized that my comments on Christianity address the more narrow minded and not the more liberal. Churches like the Epscopalians (pardon if my spelling is off, am winging this one WITHOUT the word processor) and the Unitarians have long been known for their open door stand with these issues. Having been a member of Christian, Bahai, Buddist, and Druid/Pagan communities, I can honestly say hate is not limited to any one religion.
I want a better world for my grandchildren. I would not be surprised if you felt the same way. This, then, is where I feel many of us should start: By working for a world where no child need learn how to hate.
We have a long way to go, my friend, and we may never live to see it, but I believe if we ALL keep faith in love and tolerance, someday our great grandchildren might see such a world.
May peace be with us all!