From: drazil@qiclab.scn.rain.com (Devin Ben-Hur)
Newsgroups: or.general
Subject: Re: Measure 9 Voter's Pamphlet Argument
Date: 14 Oct 92 19:43:37 GMT
Article-I.D.: qiclab.1992Oct14.194337.4187
Organization: Are you kidding?

In article <12718@sail.LABS.TEK.COM> charlesw@sail.LABS.TEK.COM (Charles Wilson) writes:
>In article <1992Oct13.193337.24309@gasco.com> dlc@gasco.com (Darci L. Chapman) writes:
>>dave@kentrox.uucp (Dave Read) writes:
>>> john@n7kbt.rain.com (John Opalko) writes:
>>
>>And more importantly, what about freedom *from* religion?
>>
>>If you're a practicing Christian or whatever, nothing currently stops you
>>from practicing those beliefs *for yourself*. But I don't think we should
>>necessarily impose those beliefs on everybody else or teach that those
>>are the only correct beliefs.
>>
>>>>-Darci->
>
>Boy, you sound just as bigoted and hateful as measure 9 supporters.  
>Maybe you should consider drafting your own version of measure 9.  Change
>one or two of the words above and you _have_ measure 9:
>
>And more importantly, what about freedom *from* homosexuality?
>
>If you're a practicing homosexual or whatever, nothing currently stops you
>from practicing those beliefs *for yourself*. But I don't think we should
>necessarily impose those beliefs on everybody else or teach that those
>are the only correct beliefs.

I see no evidence that the imposition of their beliefs is
part of the "homosexual agenda."  There is certainly no indication
that homosexuals believe their way is "the only correct belief."

The most agressive homosexual rights advocates want nothing
more than to be granted the same rights and priviledges as the rest
of us.  The OCA calls these "special rights."  The OCA believes that
teaching that homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle and a natural
tendency in certain human beings is wrong, and they argue that such teaching
is somehow PROMOTING homosexuality over "normal" heterosexual behavior.
It's obvious to anyone who's looked at the studies or even talked to
a sample of homosexuals, that nobody choses this orientation, and that any
propaganda would be unsuccessful at "recruiting" hetero-inclined individuals
to become homosexuals.  I've never heard any call by homosexuals to
actually advocate homosexuality or to promote it to those not naturally
oriented this way.

On the other hand, we regularly encounter religionists who wish to
promote their moral and lifestyle choices as the only correct one.
The OCA is a political organization dedicated to promoting their personal
moral views and lifestyle choices with the force of law.

We NEED protection from such people who would use the power of
government to force their views and choices upon us.  The religious
conservatives of the OCA are such people.  Gay rights advocates
ask only for government and social institutions to be blind
to sexual orientation, not to have governments promote one
orientation over the other.

This country is founded on principles which guarentee certain human
rights, such as freedoms of speech, religion, etc.  The basic
limitations on these rights are the point at which the exercise of one
person's right infringes on that of another's.  Homosexuals do not
promote their lifestyle to others, they merely strive for the right
not to be discriminated against in terms of jobs, housing,
acknowledged family bonds, etc.  The OCA wants to require
discrimination and advocates intolerance against these people.  Gays
do not advocate discrimination against Christians, and are perfectly
happy to live in peace with them, as long as they practice their
beliefs in ways that do not enforce their beliefs on those who do not
share them.

It is not bigotry to oppose those forces which have demonstrated a 
wish to oppress you.

The OCA has demonstrated a desire to oppress homosexuals, Homosexuals
have shown no desire to oppress Christians.
-- 
Devin Ben-Hur        [drazil@qiclab.scn.rain.com]
"Your civilization makes us laugh..."