One of the reasons people come to the United States is because there are freedoms here that are not a part of the people’s lives in other countries. I can speak my mind in the US, but would guard my words in many foreign countries, such as on my cruise stops in various islands in the Mediterranean, my visit to China, and even my visit to my son’s home in Canada. However, this basic American freedom of speech is being challenged and amended by people who take offense at what others say and/or do and want retribution in the media and the courts. Rather than being challenged to speak our minds, we are being reminded to bite our tongues because someone who disagrees with our thoughts can change the course of our lives.
I don’t watch Duck Dynasty and have little idea about the characters and their life styles because I don’t find the basic premise of a reality show about people’s lives to be interesting or real. The father of the family, Phil, is currently being vilified by the LGBT community for saying that homosexuality is against his basic beliefs, which are Bible-based and supported by Scripture. The LGBT community wants Father Duck held accountable for his comments because they shed an unfavorable light on the LGBT lifestyle. The LGBT community has a right to live their lives in the ways that they define, but Father Phil does not have the right to live his life in the ways that he defines. The basic discord is that LGBTs have the freedom to condemn him for his beliefs, but he has no right to condemn them for theirs.
This is a country where I stand up for MY beliefs and allow others to have their beliefs, especially when they disagree with mine. We discuss, we argue, we compromise – but we don’t take away the Constitutional rights of one person in favor of another. If I am gay, that is my business; if I am straight, that is also my business. Just as it is wrong for me to forcefully impose my lifestyle on others, it is wrong for others to forcefully impose their lifestyles on me.
Every generation has a population that finds acceptance through diversity, joining like-minded individuals to form groups that give strength and power to individuals who otherwise may never experience that. It’s not a case of right/wrong but a condition of difference, and this country is based on diversity, not unanimity. The LGBT community celebrates their personal diversity, but demands unanimity in that all people should believe what they believe, preach their message, and support their lifestyle. The LGBT community proclaims that they have the right to live their lifestyle and to hold people such as the Duck Dynasty Phil accountable to a higher standard than they live. If anyone in the LGBT community were treated with the disrespect Duck Dynasty father Phil has been, the hue and cry would be legendary. The rest of the world is not supposed to stand up for Father Phil’s treatment at the hands of a very vocal minority, lest they too are sucked into the controversy and vilified for what they believe. The minority manipulates the media to support their cause at the expense of other people’s right to freedom of speech.
How much stronger would be the case for understanding and acceptance if the LGBT vocalists would have supported Father Phil’s right to say whatever he believes is the truth, the same way that the LGBT community has the right to say whatever they believe is the truth. There is room for diversity, as well as discussion, and the discussion is what opens the door for all to believe.
FOLLOWING UP: A spokesperson for GLAAD says, "We believe the next step is to use this as an opportunity for Phil to sit down with gay families in Louisiana and learn about their lives and the values they share.” While that is noble from one perspective, by that very "opportunity ... to sit down with gay families ... and learn," the presumption is that Phil is wrong and the gay perspective is right and that Phil needs to be educated about something he already knows from his religious upbringing and does not support. Perhaps we all need to invite our gay friends over for a chat about their lifestyle and values?
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2 comments:
The thing that frustrates me the most is that the vast majority of Americans do not understand what the
First Amendment actually does. It does NOT grant every person the right to free speech. As with all of the Bill of Rights, it STOPS the GOVERNMENT from restricting your right to speak. Which is very, very different.
In other words, individuals, organizations, religions, etc. ALL/EACH have the right to put restrictions on what can and cannot be said. Which, in the end, indicates we really don't have freedom of speech.
As you said very well, Phil has a right to his opinions and to believe what he believes. The LGBT groups have a right to their own opinion. And there is no reason why they can't be opposed opinions. His religious-based opinion is no more "wrong" than theirs is "right."
I absolutely hate it when I watch the Fox News heads completely showing their ignorance. Other talking heads are not exempt from my scorn, but they routinely show their ignorance, and have especially over this issue (the Duck Dynasty thing) and the supposed war on Christmas.
I stopped watching Fox News about a year ago because it's so vitriolic and biased. I'm just frustrated that it's okay for the LGBT community to attack anyone who does not share their commitment to alternate lifestyles, and exact some pretty harsh consequences for anyone who voices their differences.
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