Two friends have lunch.
“All I’m saying is that you voted for the amendment banning gay marriage – and you’re an idiot.” Man One said.
“Ok, ok, you can be mean all you want, but you sound like a sore loser to me. Look, I get it, you want people to love each other. Right. That’s awesome. But I have news for you pal, it’s not going to happen. It’s never been that way, and it not gonna start being that way today. Reality doesn’t work that way. I suggest you wake up and smell the coffee.” Said Man Two.
“Why? Why can’t we all just accept each other and get along? Why can’t we all just move through life without trying to force our beliefs on people? I find it hugely ironic that the people who voted for the amendment to ban gay marriage are largely Christian. Jesus himself said for us all to love each other and take care of each other. I mean I’m not a bible guy, but I’m pretty sure he said that.” Man One said.
“He did! But you see, Jesus lived in a time before there were so many people. There weren’t nearly as many different kinds of people then as there are today. We need different laws.” Man Two responded.
“That’s fucking ridiculous.” added Man One. “That’s your justification for voting FOR an amendment that removes rights from people? That there were no gays in Jesus’s day?”
“Less gays. Maybe a handful. And I didn’t vote for the amendment as a way to remove rights from people – just gay people.” said Man Two. “Look, marriage is supposed to be between one man and one woman. It’s natural. It’s how other humans are created. I’m sorry, but two women or two men aren’t going to procreate together. Ever. No matter how badly you want that to happen. So yeah, God is pretty much on our side in this argument. Homosexuality is unnatural.”
There was a long pause as both men took forkfuls of food into their mouths.
“So just because homosexual love is unnatural, as per your definition, these human beings deserve to have their rights stripped from them?” Man One asked.
“Yes. The sanctity of marriage needs to stay intact. One man. One woman. Period.” Man Two responded. “Besides, we didn’t ‘strip’ anything. We just reinforced something that already existed in the constitution.”
“What about their children?” Man One asked.
“You mean the children that homosexuals have adopted? What about them?” Man Two responded.
“That they’ll lose benefits as the result of you protecting the sanctity of marriage?”
“Collateral damage.”
“You know this is all ridiculous, right? That over time, equality will prevail. This is America, after all.” Man One added.
“Perhaps. But yesterday we showed the world that the wants and desires of a few people can’t overcome the will of the majority in America. Or, more specifically, not in the South. Ever. And you want to know something else? Come November we are going to show up at the polls in force again and put this state back in the Red column where it belongs. I don’t care if they have 10 DNCs in our city. Because the fact is – your President hasn’t been able to do shit in the four years he’s been in office. We learned our lesson in 2008. We won’t get fooled again.” Man Two pronounced.
Man One signaled for a check as the two men finished lunch. “You know what all of this means, don’t you?” He asked Man Two.
“That we won and that you and your cronies are whining about it?”
“No, it means that wrong is in control. And that it will one day be made right.”
“The scripture isn’t wrong, buddy. And yesterday we proved it. Besides, you know they call us The Right for a reason, don’t you? You’re not right, man, we are.”
And with that, the two men stood up and left the restaurant, then shook hands and parted ways. Americans.
***
Will Conley
May 9, 2012
No, not Americans. One heartless zombie piglet and one American. I find such civility repugnant. I say this as an angry man today.
UpsideUp Laurie
May 9, 2012
I hope this is a fictional conversation because it raised my blood pressure.
Bruce Couch
May 9, 2012
and man 2 left… and married his 14 year old cousin. Which of course is still legal and natural in NC.
Steve B
May 9, 2012
Another variation of this from another FB comment stream was “Look, I don’t hate gay people, and I personally don’t agree with amendment, but I can’t vote against scripture.” Here’s my take on the Bible: Old Testament = Angry God, then he has a Son. Like all (most) men that have children, their perspective of the universe changes and he becomes New Testament=Loving God. I’m sure if you asked God about some of those Old Testament messages he would say “Yeah, look, I was young and didn’t know better. I’ve changed and I’m a better diety now. Go love your neighbor, I meant that part.”
Will Conley
May 9, 2012
Steve, that’s a great way to look at the it. It really makes some sense of the whole “Christians filched the Jewish bible” deal. It ties thousands of years together in a mythos progression that I can comprehend.
simonbilling
May 9, 2012
Brilliant post Jim. Absolutely captures the two sides of the chasm and the fact that ne’er the twain shall meet.
If I was an American I would be very proud of my POTUS today for making an unequivocal and unambiguous statement of his belief on a deeply divisive issue (and one that could cost him re-election). Until politicians start doing this they remain the problem not the solution.
Steve B
May 10, 2012
Will, glad you liked it. Just my opinion and my interpretation. I’m a lapsed Catholic, faithful but not devout. I wasn’t trying to discount the Jewish faith in that, but as a Father, I firmly believe that God Himself had the same revelation and also learned from his child as well.
Jim Mitchem
May 10, 2012
I really like how you’re thinking Steve, so I’m not going to say too much. But I completely and utterly disagree w/the logic. God, as I understand Him, makes no mistakes.
Steve B
May 10, 2012
I’ll stop after this, but I just have to know because I can’t tell from writing if the last line was serious or sarcastic. I think my view of God doesn’t eliminate infallibility (sp?) from the equation, just introduces evolution. I also believe The Big Bang doesn’t eliminate God from creating the Universe 🙂
Jim Mitchem
May 10, 2012
Definitely serious – but I can see why, because of the way I write, that you’d wonder this. My belief about God is that He is perfect and infallible. Thinking like this keeps me humble. But that’s me.
Steve B
May 10, 2012
Well, I guess my “I didn’t know better” comment does sort of suggest making a mistake, but my point was supposed to be a growth in Love. I can’t quote scripture or anything. Everything I took away from religion boils down to “Do the right thing”, “Don’t be a hateful person”, and “help others when you can”. I don’t care how others interpret God, but I am befuddled when hate, anger, and discrimination is the message people get.
Jim Mitchem
May 10, 2012
Oh no doubt. I just think God makes no mistakes – men do. And men wrote the bible. So there’s that.
Christine
May 10, 2012
Not every Christian person would agree with the man who claims to fight on their behalf because of their support of amendment one. Being a Christian has absolutely nothing to do with discriminating against or hating gay people. Love the sinner hate the sin. Some Christians just believe that marriage is sacred and it is a covenant between you, your spouse, and God. If you want some other kind of partenership, then fine. It is just not fair to some people that the definition of marriage has to be redefined. There are TONS of Christian Americans that would STRONGLY agree with a lot of what was said in that passage, it does not reflect everyone’s view. You had a right as an American to stand up and vote like everyone else. If you want to do something about it, do something. Don’t miscontrue the Bible or people’s beliefs into something ugly because you do not understand where you are coming from. Whoever is telling you it is wrong to be gay is clearly wrong. But you can’t turn around and tell someone they are wrong for what they believe. Acceptance is a two way street. Judging someone else because you feel judged makes no sense.
My novel – Minor King
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