Hornets Nest or Passionate Dialogue?

Loving Responses

Wow! I posted the following on Facebook and stirred up a hornets nest.

“Just because something is legal doesn't necessarily make it acceptable, or right.”

I was really thinking quite broadly when I considered the thought and decided to share it. I didn’t have any particular cause in mind although I have been quite grieved with the videos recently made public about Planned Parenthood and the dismemberment of babies. I suppose that could have stirred up the thought in question.

But, then, I got a comment from someone that used to live in Las Vegas. I won’t use her name for the sake of her privacy. She commented: “u mean gay marriage?”

Not sure where this would go but trusting that having known her and her chosen life-style she would be open to my explanation, I responded to her with the following.

“I mean legalizing something doesn't change God's mind. Are you looking to be offended? You shouldn't be. You know I love you but don't agree with the gay life-style. What about abortion? What about legalizing Marijuana? What about homosexual marriage? Just saying.”

Well. Then someone else jumped in and wrote, “there are many things that are legal, that just are not right. Abortion is legal. Adultery is legal. Smoking pot is legal some places, spraying our food with pesticide is legal, giving children caffeine is legal. Legality doesn’t determine ethics.”

Then, there was, for me, an unexpected reaction. “im just talking about gay marriage actually its call MARRIAGE now. all those other things are irrelivent to me. if u dont wanna see "homo" stuff then block me cus im gay and im proud idc who disagrees its f....n 2015 get over yourselves”

The third party then jumped in again with, “Why would you have originally commented on his post? Do you honestly believe that he has been cruising YOUR personal facebook and posted something only about you? YOU should get over yourself. All I remember about you was showing you kindness and loving you. Be gay. Be proud. It is so sad that you are still feeling as miserable as when you first came to us, and now you are exactly what you wanted to be.”
I had also written another response that went like this, “This is America. We should be able to agree to disagree, don't you think. You don't sound very "tolerant" or "loving" but I still respect your right to be who you are and hope you can "get over yourselves" so we can move into the future together as Americans. I can respect your choice without agreeing with it and that should not be a problem to either of us.”

I could tell by her response that I had stirred up a real hornet's nest when she fired back, “ im not f....n miserble so back tf off with that s..t im f....n sober i go to work i get s..t going for me and im sticking up for all the gays the trans the lesbians the bisexuals no i dont think its all about me u dont know s..t about me so shut the f..k up talkin bout s..t u dont know go read ur bible and get the f..k off my x%#@X.

Third party jumps in again with, “And, how is it that you only decide you don't like it if someone says they don't agree with gay marriage? Why should you care? It is pretty sad that you say that all the other things that were mentioned are irrelevant to you. Those are things that matter to ME. It is so sad that you, (Name), right?, get all hostile in writing when no one is in front of you, and now you have no fear to tell (your Facebook friend) to F off. That is a far cry from the scared confused little wanna be boy who used to come and accept our kindness, and cry to me how bad your life was. You should not talk to (your Facebook friend) like that at all. Your issues are all you.”

A fourth party who is friends with the gay couple chimes in and says, “(name) that was very rude. Who are you to judge. (Name) is actually very feminine. She chooses to wear pants and t shirts because it is comfortable to her. NOT to be a "boy" and NOT because she is "confused". We are very well aware of our sexuality and there is nothing wrong with us.”

I had responded, “Hi (Name). I actually was not thinking of Gay Marriage when I posted. I'm simply stating an obvious fact. Sure, I knew that some people would agree with me and others wouldn't but that's not the point. What I posted should cause one to think, and think beyond themselves and their own personal preferences. Surely, there are things that are legal that you don't agree with. If so, then you will understand my point. I'm certainly not against gays, or any other group that I might disagree with. Good grief. I'm a Conservative and have Liberal friends, a Protestant and have Catholic friends, a Christian and have non-Christian friends. Do I agree with them? No. Do I love them? Yes. Do I get mad every time they talk about their position on various concepts and ideas? No. Dialogue brings understanding. Hateful reactions never do. I really hope you two are happy. It would be horrible for a person to get what they want and not be.

I did get a “like” from the friend so maybe this will cool off after all.

But then the diatribe that followed from the first responder cannot be repeated in this blog. I am sad to think that people, any people, talk like what she brazenly put on Facebook. I guess I will have to unfriend her and probably block her to give her some peace. But, then, maybe it will all work its way out.

There was some meaningful dialogue between the second commenter and the first responder. They seem to have come to terms and cooled down a bit. There was some really open hearted dialogue that followed. "All is well that ends well."

My hopes and prayers are that, somehow, as Americans with many diverse ideas and ideologies, can get over this “I’m offended” stuff and agree to disagree agreeably. This country used to be a place where debate and discussion was the rule of the day and no one “got offended.”

How can I understand anyone that only swears at me and attacks me? There has to be respectful dialogue so people who disagree with each other can understand the other's position and weigh it according to their own set of values.

There will always be differences of opinions, misunderstandings even, and some of those differences will never be settled. That is not what is important, What is important is that we determine to get along, recognize our diversity and not idolize it.

I'm a Christian and will always be one. My whole life is dedicated to bringing the love of God to people desperately in need of it. When I speak to people about Jesus, it is because I do care about them and want to extend the love of God to them, not condemn them. The intent of the Bible is to introduce people to God in Christ so that He can heal what is wounded.

American people are a great people made up of people from all over the world. We should seek to  help each one find the full meaning of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Just what I’m thinking today.