Things seem to be keeping my anger simmering

[sparkindarkness]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7796663.stm

To quote dear old Auntie:
Pope Benedict XVI has said that saving humanity from homosexual or transsexual behaviour is just as important as saving the rainforest from destruction.

Sigh.

You're kidding right? Seriously? Really? Because it's ridiculous to such a level that it's almost ALMOST comical. Instead it just stands to piss me off and depress me.

I'm looking in the mirror now. Guy, 27, great hair, fabulous taste in clothes, inclined to be a bit obsessive. Lives in house with husband and pet. Husband, less great hair, pretty blue eyes, has too many hobbies and is extremely cute. Daily routine - exactly the same as our neighbours - food, work, leisure. Priorities - pretty much the same as everyone else's - family, friends, comfort, enjoyment. Agenda - love, life, happiness.

What is so damned threatening? What is so damned objectionable? What is so damned horrifying about us that we're on par with the extinction of thousands of species and major ecological disaster? Why is the thought of us even existing as horrifying as the thought of the major climate change disasters that would be brought on by mass deforestation?

I pretty much think I'm a nice guy, do more good than evil in this world. Beloved is a damned saint sometimes. And we're a damned threat to bloody humanity? We're so horrible humanity has to be SAVED from us?

I just don't get it. I just can't even fit it in my head. What is so horrible about us that the (supposed and alleged) religious and moral leader of 1.1 BILLION people feels the need to say humanity needs saving from us.

There's too much of this stuff to let it bother me - but good gods sometimes it wears you down. And it's frightening. He is supposed to be the supreme moral and religious authority for 1.1 billion people - and he's telling them, and the world, that me and mine is a threat on par with utter disaster- something humanity has to be saved from. That's just plain frightening and damned depressing.

Why, in the name of all that is holy, can they not be content to just let us live our nice, normal lives?

Comments

[touchstone.livejournal.com]

There are days I have hope for the Catholic Church. This is not one of them.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

I just boggle. It is a relief that the CAtholic church is becoming less an influential force in Europe.

I can get that we're nasty and naughty sinful people he doesn't like - but this? It's a level of extreme hatred that bemuses and frightens me

[logophilos.livejournal.com]

"Why, in the name of all that is holy, can they not be content to just let us live our nice, normal lives?"

Because you make them look like the dull, mean-spirited, narrow-minded lackwits that they are. And you have much better hair :)

Benedict is a Nazi. Literally. Why should *anyone* listen to him?

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

I am toooo shiny to be unmolested! FEAH MAH SHININESSSSSSS

Well, I try not to judge the man based on his youth - I mean, there are so MNAY MANY good reasons not to listen to him, why bother with that one? But, sadly it also seems that organisation of 1.1 billion does (or is supposed to) listen to him

[lilisonna.livejournal.com]

I usually pride myself on being able to see almost every viewpoint. I can wrap my brain around a lot of tortured logic, but this? I'm sorry; I can't help answer this one. The weird "Homosexuality is wrong" mind-set makes no sense to me.

I've had people try to explain it -- sometimes even using big words like "patriarchal oppression" and "socio-religious background" and I always wind up just staring blankly.

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Heh.

I can understand the simple "homosexuality is wrong" mindset, you can make at least a few rational arguments for it, though generally only if you start from a conservative christian standpoint, but the "the mere existence of homosexuals is a threat to everybody else" mentality escapes me entirely. It's idiotic. If you're a Christian fundie you think that Buddhism is wrong too, after all, but nobody goes around acting as though the Buddhists are going to give everybody Buddhism like a contagious disease!

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

See if they turned to me and said "look, no offence but my religions says homosexuality is wrong and I believe that" I'd nod and say, "fair enough." I'd probably not spend time with them if I could avoid them and I certainly wouldn't have much respect or liking for their doctrine (which is my natural reaction to any belief system or person that considers me inferior, even if they're polite about it) but I'd respect them chalk it all down to different strokes for different folks and move on.

I mean, many belief systems hold ideals that I disagree with of find downright silly even. Jews and Muslims won't eat the lovely lovely bacon or prawns, Hindus won't eat beef. Some pagans are vegetarian. Some are vegan. Some Muslims won't touch alcohol. Jehovas' Witnesses won't have blood transfusions. Some sects won't allow medical intervention at all. Some religions have conniption fits at the idea of a woman religious leader (or women in general) And most monotheistic faiths at least generally hold to the view, as you said, that other religions are wrong (though it varies from "mistaken" to "EVIL DEVIL SPAAAAAAAWN!" by congregation)

So I can get people and beliefs saying "homosexuality is wrong" because religions hold a lot of beliefs I find rather daft and even objectionable. I can get that and, so long as they're polite about it, I can live with it.

But just becuase someone thinks they shouldn't eat pork doesn't mean they should turn round and stop everyone else having bacon. I can respect them abstaining themselves but I have NO tolerance or patience with them stopping other people and hurting other people

and I cannot, as you said, even vaguely understand the LEVEL of revulsion they feel for us. I mean - yeah, homosexuality is wrong, fine. Homosexuality is a global threat against mankind? Whut? Hello? Has someone been taking the happy pills? What are you putting in the incense burners there Benedict? Because drug abuse is the only excuse for this crazy.

[lilisonna.livejournal.com]

I just can't. I start making the effort with "Well, the religion says so," and then I fall over "But the religion also says don't eat shrimp and oh, also, give away everything you have and follow me" and I stumble back to "Buh-huh?"

Don't bother trying; I've accepted that this is one blind spot that I'm happy to have.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Oh I can understand the mind set - you can be brainwashed into just about anything. If you're brought up with homophobia, have people teach you homophobia and are generally surroudned by it, it's going to stain you. Add in conservatism that hates everything that is different and an arrogant supremism that believes you are superior and everything not like you flawed. Sprinkle with rigid gender roles and oppressed sexuality that express themselves as hatred of anything that steps outside the box... Then add a HUGE dollop of major authority figures validadating their hate

I understand what creates these warped, sick people. I just don't understand why there's so many of them, why they're so powerful and why the hatred is allowed to perpetuate. I don't understand how, when exposed to the outside world, they can't see how awful their mindset is

[lilisonna.livejournal.com]

I can't even do that. The Phelps crew? Crazy and brainwashed. I suppose other folks are just a lesser level, but it baffles me as to why. It really does.

[beladibaby.livejournal.com]

I wish I had magic words to make all this kind of crap go away. I totally cannot understand why anyone is so threatened by other people's love lives. I absolutely can't wrap my brain around that kind of stupidity and hate. Actually I read this post to the teens, kiddo's friends,(who are currently making boffer weapons and playing dress up in the nice man's armor). It might make you feel better to know that they all had pretty much the same response, why in the hell should anyone care if someone is gay. So long as they are happy what else matters?
Maybe there is hope that it won't be that long before that attitude is the majority and hate will be the minority?

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

It makes me despair because it is a level of crazy I just can't reach. They don't like us. Fine. I can deal. But we're a threat on par with major global disaster? Whoa, no, I can't reach that. I can't picture that. My head just goes "sorry that's too crazy, reboot their brain and restart because it's broken."

I can get hatred. i can get they don't like us. I can't get their evil attempts to destroy us and remove our rights, I can't get the ENERGY and resources they devote into harming us (seriously, why do they care? Why spend countless days and week and untold MILLIONS to try and control some complete strangers' love life? I mean I can get "eeeewww I don't likt that" but THIS degree of effort is not sane) and I can't wrap my head around the idea that we are this level of threat. It boggles.


I hope that it is a sign. It's a sign that the next generation isn't as damned crazy with homophobia. It's a sign that there is SOME intelligence winning out against the batshit insanity

[beladibaby.livejournal.com]

Well I wouldn't guarentee the next generation isn't crazy based on my kiddo's friends LOL! However they certainly do seem to have their heads on straight when it comes to accepting people for who they are without judging them.

too tired for a truly sapient comment, but it boils down to

[a-roar-a.livejournal.com]

you're awesome, he(the poope) is a big stupid dick ::hugs::

Re: too tired for a truly sapient comment, but it boils down to

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Thankee *hugs*

[thisdaydreamer.livejournal.com]

I will never understand that kind of viewpoint.

What the hell happened to the preachings of love and acceptance that supposedly started that religion?

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

It's just gone to such an extreme it doesn't even go near reality or logic


It semes to have got lost with the "make sure everyone follows our rules" emphasis that seems to be the new vogue

[vamprino.livejournal.com]

Oh wow. I read this earlier, and it made me ashamed to think that I ever used to call myself a Catholic. It's a shame that this mentality still exists in the world today, because I would never imagine two of my best friends being a 'threat' that we need to be protected from.

I will never understand that viewpoint.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

It's a shame this mentality exists not just for the hate and pain it causes - but for the sheer enormity of the insanity of it. I mean, someone who considers homosexuality to be a threat on par with a major global disaster? This person is not sane. They are not dealing with anything resembling reality. Reason and logic are on holiday

[suryaofvulcan.livejournal.com]

Welcome to Christmas, season of peace and goodwill. Except if you're gay.

Thus sayeth Pope Benedict, leader of the Christian world and self-styled arbiter of morality.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

Heh, it's amazing how much that love thy neighbour twists and stops if the neighbour isn't just like them

Gah, it just amazes me that the sensible faithful flock just doesn't turn around and say "No, that's crazy. Seriously, crazy. What is wrong with you?!"

[speaks.livejournal.com]

Some will..

[tinimaus.livejournal.com]

So apart from wreaking havoc on my marriage, you've now gone for the megalomania package and widened your remit on my children, family and everyone else I know?

Bad Sparky.

And I really could have done without that row Adam and I had yesterday, just lay off me for a while. I've been really ill, you know.


I could not believe it when they elected Ratzinger as pope. The man scared me before, and he does now.

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

MUAHAHAH! FEAR MY POWER!

But have a break until the 28th, I've totally been drafted to the War on Christmas duty then I've got to cause a couple of school shootings in Janurary. February... damn, nope, crushing Tokyo.

I think you're safe from me 'til March - but my evil brothers and sisters will be destroying your world in the meantime! MUAHAHAHA!

[elrohana.livejournal.com]

My ex didn't used to like gay men. He thought they were creepy and wrong. Then he started working in a music venue where 2 of the male staff were gay (but not a couple). One day, one of them (VERY good looking) looked my ex straight in the eye, and said, "its a real shame you're straight, as I really have a crush on you". When he came home and told me the story, I thought the ending would be, gay guy being rushed to A&E. Nope. Ending is, ex no longer has any problem with gays at all. Turns out it was a combination of fear of the unknown (he'd never really talked to any gay guys before that) and his childhood as a JW. Even bigots can change, Sparky, love, there is still hope in the world. *hugs*

[sparkindarkness.livejournal.com]

That's what I cling to. I think the vast vast vast majority of low level homophobes change when they meet a gay person and suddenly "whoa, this person is not an alien from the planet zog! WHO KNEW?!

I cling to this hope that, step by step, as people realise gay folks aren't some alien other - that we're their friends and neighbours and colleagues and siblings and children - then people will open their eyes to how ridiculous homophobia is

[lilisonna.livejournal.com]

Yup. This happened to a friend of mine, actually. He was pretty firmly anti-gay for a while (grew up with it, etc) and then he woke up one day and said, "You know, I know people who are gay. They're pretty cool. I can either not have them as my friends -- and I like having them as my friends -- or I can get over myself." And he did.

[remote45.livejournal.com]

I had the chance recently to speak with a member of the clergy and asked him why he thought there were so many in the church oppossed to homosexuality. His answer was that many believed that if it became too accepted then everyone would begin to be gay (yes, it was a WTF??) then no one would be able to have children and the race would eventually die out. Now even SUPPOSING that by some unknown reason the ENTIRE world somehow ALL one day became gay, do you not believe with the technology we have we could not find a way around the complete destruction of the whole human race because we were not procreating?? WE laughed and agreed that if this is the best reason they can come up with then they are all just as crazy as this idea. If it's of any comfort to you, then know this, Jesus himself changed many of his fathers rules so I have faith that there will one day be a day when being gay won't be an issue. The road we are on to that day is probably still a long one but at least we are on the road. We've come a long way and it's heartening to see how many people stand up where none would even dream of it in times past. Jesus gave his life for people like you and me and even for this man they call the pope. I'm sure he probably cringes to see how far we still have to go but I don't think he would have made such a sacrifice if he didn't think we would all be worth it in the end. WOW! I didn't intend for this to be so intense! Please forgive me if I have overstepped my bounds. *bows humbly* I may not know you and beloved personally but judging from your posts, you are both lovely people and I dare to hope that one day you will live in a world you can only dream of now. Merry Christmas!

[only-playing.livejournal.com]

ZOMG! I wish I had the power to destroy humanity! I would soooo make some of my coworkers explode....

[helbling.livejournal.com]

I hate that man. I truely do. I understand the Vatican needed a place holder while it waited for most of the older Catholics to die off so they can start modernising shit, but are they honestly trying to pretend that there wasn't a better option than that idiot?

*fume*

If my priest even touches the subject at midnight mass, I'm going to walk out, I swear it. I hear the CoE - or parts of it - is nice to gay people and oter minorities; maybe I'll go there.

I honestly don't understand the 'gay agenda' so many people keep talking about. What do they think it looks like:

1) Fall in love with member of same sex.
2) Live happy life with all rights the same as those of straight couples.
3) ????????
4) Profit so much we take over the goddamn world!!!

...Yeah. He's an idiot, is all I can come up with.

[seryan.livejournal.com]

*sigh* I see crap like this, and I know it's because the people who say it, think it, believe it, are deep-down scared and panicking because the world is changing into something they don't understand, don't like, and aren't willing to adapt to. I know this, but it doesn't make me any less angry.

[amynnah.livejournal.com]

Every time I hear the (new) Pope's name mentioned, all I hear is the Imperial March in my head. ::hugs:: You have friends who love you, hun... you have Beloved, which is more than a lot of people. Sending you lots of warm wishes. <3

[solid-squid.livejournal.com]

You know what it is, don't you? Gay guys can get away with wearing bigger hats than him (although not necessarily being fashionable while doing so). It's hat envy all the way, I guarantee it