If you still don’t personally support marriage equality for all Americans, that’s fine.
The Supreme Court and I both disagree with you, respectfully.
Unfortunately, I knew the landmark decision last Friday would not fare well with many of my Republican colleagues on social media. Some argued that it was politically motivated; others felt it was an obstruction of constitutional principles. Yeah, okay.
Sure, there are tons of ways conservatives tried to mask their saltiness that last week – but liberals still had their field day. But the opposing sides’ responses went from mild, bad and downright ugly. And by ugly, I’m referring to some using the “religion card” to justify being a total bigot.
The Pope has finally announced his recent Philadelphia schedule for what the Vatican calls the “2015 Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to the United States Of America.” In a heartbeat, many online trolls used this moment to call on the Pope to “deliver the Gayborhood from being an abomination to the world.” Well, the Gayborhood can be delivered from its sometimes overpriced drinks and exclusionary attitude – but human existence, I think not.
Growing up gay and black, I have far too often seen religion used as an excuse to be malicious. It was abused by white plantation owners and racist clergymen to justify slavery. Today, it is used by homophobes to justify their internal hatred of same-sex love. But I’m not buying it and neither should anyone with a moral compass.
What I found myself doing on social media since the Supreme Court decision was an attempt to defend my existence. Then I looked back at what this country was founded on and realized that I shouldn’t explain a damn thing. Religious freedom is the ability to have a different belief and co-exist. Christians who are using the Pope and other biblical passages as an attempt to institutionally defame my personal choices are infringing upon my inalienable rights. As we enter Independence Day and the 50th Anniversary of the LGBT Civil Rights Movement this weekend, it’s time that we try to settle this beef once and for all.
You can be religious and personally dislike someone’s dating choices. And that is also something you can respectfully keep to yourself. I will not call out all the hypocrisy and contradiction that can be found within your faith in return. It’s quite simple – agree to disagree and keep it moving.
At this point, it’s not my role or responsibility to keep and maintain anyone else’s faith outside of my own. If you consider yourself a true American, you would appreciate the liberty of being able to make your own decisions that doesn’t have to be compromised. Revolutionary history recalls a British ruler who once enforced his religious rule over his people. Our Founding Fathers and colonial ancestors wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t broken away from such tyranny. Don’t be unpatriotic!Learn to live and accept change while staying true to your own values – personally.
It’s the American thing to do.
The Ernest Opinion: Stop using the religious card to be a bigot
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