I Can't Believe I'm Saying This, But...

It would seem the two of us are out of sync politically, socially, spiritually (and in our use of hairspray,) but I can’t help but shout, “LEAVE MISS CALIFORNIA ALONE!!!”

Why would I, a major supporter of gay marriage, (that’s right, marriage... not “civil unions,”) stand up for a person who some are calling a hatemongering pimple on the face of an otherwise unblemished beauty pagent??? I know it seems crazy, but it must be done.

Ever heard the old saying, "I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”? What we’re dealing with here is an issue of free speech, and even more importantly, religious freedom.

Does the God I know and believe in lead me to the same truth as Ms. Cali? Of course not! But that’s what she believes God is telling her, based on their relationship and her upbringing. How dare anyone in America trample on her religious freedoms!? Do I think that what she believes is unfair, disinfranchising? Yes... but in my heart, also I don’t think that was her intent when she gave her response. In her mind, she wasn’t speaking as a policy maker or a political activist... she was speaking as a Christian, musing on her own deeply-rooted ideas about God’s plan for His children. How can I persicute her for that? (Now, were she say, an athiest, who had come to that opinion of her own reckless accord, I would be the first to call her an empty-headed silicon balloon...)

The thing about it is, the woman gave her opinion on a conterversial subject as tactfully as she could, and explained that her feelings were an outpouring of her faith. Who wouldn’t want that same freedom too? I feel “normal,” but most would consider me an extremely liberal Christian. I don’t want to be called stupid, just because my views are different... and it has happened. It hurt, and it even ended a friendship.

Those who cry out the loudest, pushing us to embrace their own ideas (i.e. the Pat Robertsons and Perez Hiltons of the world,) would do well to serve up a healthy dose of tolerance themselves. Sure, people can be stupid, but they’re not stupid JUST because they don’t arrive to your conclusions. May God help us all.