Are ignorant people the enemy?

[Thingsandstuff]

So I saw this video today and for some reason it really got me into thinking mode (watch the video first before you read the rest):

www. youtube. com/watch?v=aiVGsfinzeU [copy/paste and remove spaces between dots]

As a gay man I am embarrassed by this sort of behavior. I am not talking about the Christian father with his kids who started a conversation with people from our community. I’m talking about some of the people on our side (not including the guy in the blue shirt or the girl with the sunglasses). This video shows a missed opportunity where, instead of setting an example, we just attacked someone that, while ignorant in our eyes, had a reasonable tone and attitude. Protesting for gay rights is something brave but in order to be vocal we don’t have to be loud. Calling someone an asshole or a bigot just because he doesn’t agree with us, especially in front of his kids, is shameful.

Inside this guy (and others like him) is the change we are fighting for. He is (according to us) ignorant and wrong but he is brave enough to challenge himself and ask questions which makes him open-minded. Being open-minded doesn’t mean you know better, it means that you are willing to know better. Change won’t come by telling people who agree with us that they are right and change won’t come by simply telling people what to believe without giving any reasons to. This guy gives me true hope because he is honest and smart enough to say: I don’t agree with you, I don’t understand you BUT if you truly think I’m wrong and you’re right, I’m here and I’m listening. That’s all we need! People willing to listen! So instead of resorting to sensationalism by mentioning tragic suicides, it is moments like these where we can educate people about the separation of church and state or why gay marriage isn’t the first part of a gigantic, government-approved orgy. That way we are setting an example.

We can’t win this fight on defense mode because the other side is already on defense mode. I understand that there has been reserved anger from our side for so many years because we’re making the same arguments over and over, but our anger shouldn’t be directed towards individuals like him (because then we are just alienating people who could potentially help our cause). We have gone too far to be impatient now.

Summing up (boy this was longer than I expected), if someone calls us a fag or a pervert then we can shout back at them. If someone, though, wants to talk, let’s talk.

Change will come from the ignorant who listen!



PS: Sorry for the long post, I hope you've read this far

 

[refujiunderground]

to me, it's all about respect. respect me and i'll respect you. disrespect me and i'll disrespct you. it's simple. the problem with a lot of these people into religion is that they can't respect other people's views and let them live. there is no right and no wrong when it comes to opinions because that's what it really is all about, opinions. you don't see me disrespecting straight people or people that are into religion because i'm gay and an atheist now? i respect what they do and even though we are on two different wavelengths, that doesn't give me the right to disrespect them, look them on them, treat them less than human beings. they're still human beings. sure, we can have an argument where our opinions differ, get heated but as long as we respect each other as people and our opinions, it's all love. no hard feelings and i most definitely wouldn't hate someone because they call some shit jam while i call it jelly because it's stupid.

to me, all of this basically shows how fragile people are. in order to boost themselves up, they have to put others down that are different from them. they basically use the whole numbers or normality bullshit to justify their sorry ass. "you're a minority and i'm a part of the majority", "what i'm doing is basic human nature, you're a defect". like who the fuck said that you're right. where's your evidence? last time i remembered, the bible is just based on theory and has no concrete evidence verifying it. it's just a book that could equated to lord of the rings or harry potter. that's MY opinion on it though. same thing with the big bang theory. there may be some scientific evidence supporting evolution and science's explanation to the start of the world but the reality is is that we don't know for sure so nobody has the right to go outthere and say "this is how it started so you have to agree with me or you're a fuck up". with that said, people should just respect others and stop putting them down for having opposing views different from theirs. you don't understand homosexuality. even though i don't see how you could not understand it, i'm not going to treat you less than a human being because of that. i would expect you to treat me like a human being though and not use your dislike for homosexuality as an excuse to disrespect me period. if you give a fuck though, you would respect me for who i am and come to the realization that being gay isn't a big deal like how being straight is. you can have an opinion about somebody or something but that doesn't mean that it's factual enough for you to start being a fucking bigot.

 

[mbamike]

He is the video. The Christian guy came across as wanting to sincerely understand why gays want the right to marry and to have an intellectual conversation on the subject. Unfortunately, some of the gays in the video did not present themselves well.

So the lesson here is to know why you want equal rights and have the fact to back it up when asked. Sort of like impromptu speaking. Always be ready to give an account for your actions.

 

[Telstra]

Whats wrong with a man marrying a robot?

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

( Are ignorant people the enemy? )

Hey woteva wish all lands wot got humans on um escape da ........
ans etc etc

but title is first a problem
2nd is internet 2 demo great ........ wot of internet 1 of a you tube forums etc

ans so on

anyway

good luck

 

[Muzzy91]

Yes, I most definitely find ignorant people to be the enemy in certain circumstances. If a person is ignorant but is tolerant of others views (i.e. they live and let live) then I have no problem with them. However, if the ignorant person tries to force their views on another person and tries to spread hate and bigotry, then they are definitely the enemy.

Prime example, I've been arguing with a religious bigot about transgender people because he does not believe a person can be transgender and is trying to spread hate and intolerance by using the Bible as is only form of justification.

His latest response

YOU THINK THERE IS GREY AREA.... there isn't. you are either born a man or a woman... you can not, I REPEAT CANNOT THINK YOURSELF INTO BEING A WOMAN! I am sorry to break the news to you... Bro, why do you reject the truth? you can not be something you are not! you can call it bigotry, or what ever you like... If everyone thought like you, then why don't more THINK themselves into being billionaires? or I don't need to go to college, i can think myself into being a surgeon! HAHAHA! ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!!!! I can myself into being a 2000 lb. Bull! or a canary! Where does it end? Again, there is nothing like an ORIGINAL! Fake boobs, a fake penis, injections, all fake! Quit pretending to be something you are not! Look, you said it! I didn't misrepresent what you said... you said you can't chose, the choice is made biologically.. When you are in the womb, GOD makes that choice! You can put lipstick on a pig, that don't make it a woman!

 

[Thingsandstuff]

Yes, I most definitely find ignorant people to be the enemy in certain circumstances. If a person is ignorant but is tolerant of others views (i.e. they live and let live) then I have no problem with them. However, if the ignorant person tries to force their views on another person and tries to spread hate and bigotry, then they are definitely the enemy.

You're right and the title was definitely not that fitting. Can't change it unfortunately. It should be more like "Are ALL ignorant people the enemy". I had written this huge text (huge for me anyways) so I kinda just typed that title without thinking that much. Anyway, I hope the rest of the post made sense

 

[Thingsandstuff]

( Are ignorant people the enemy? )

Hey woteva wish all lands wot got humans on um escape da ........
ans etc etc

but title is first a problem
2nd is internet 2 demo great ........ wot of internet 1 of a you tube forums etc

ans so on

anyway

good luck

If you are talking about the title not being that accurate I agree.

 

[Jersey Domino]

I don't know...I don't really get how anyone doesn't undestand why we want equal rights....We pay taxes too....So why wouldn't we want to have all the rights that straight people do?

I know that's short and doesn't really mean anything but I wanted to respond to this thread so forgive me.

 

[Thingsandstuff]

I don't know...I don't really get how anyone doesn't undestand why we want equal rights....We pay taxes too....So why wouldn't we want to have all the rights that straight people do?

I know that's short and doesn't really mean anything but I wanted to respond to this thread so forgive me.

Neither do I, but unfortunately these people exist. If some of them, though, are willing to listen and be convinced or at least get in our shoes for a little bit, aren't you willing to explain our side to them? I think it's worth it (certainly does more for our cause than just yelling or letting our anger get out of control)

 

[Jersey Domino]

Neither do I, but unfortunately these people exist. If some of them, though, are willing to listen and be convinced or at least get in our shoes for a little bit, aren't you willing to explain our side to them? I think it's worth it (certainly does more for our cause than just yelling or letting our anger get out of control)

Yeah I would be willing to explain our side to them in a heartbeat...That's the whole point I suppose.

 

[TheFireGod]

If they act out on their ignorance in a non-diplomatic way (bashing) or vote to harm (Prop 8), then yes they are the enemy.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

wot is ans wot not
whos ignorance ans etc etc

this PORN SITE not da united nations wot betta they call fa plumma

so hint

world a ova is operate by barkin loons ans males wear adult dress forgat sumthang

dat a point start but planet get bit thin good start

good luck

 

[DaggyG]

I really like this guy. He seems to be such a good role model for his kids. He's obviously passionate about his religion, but doesn't denigrate others who are different. There's a lot to be impressed by with this gentleman.

I'm kind of glad that we don't have a culture here in Australia that is as serious about religion as the US seems to be. A lot of people here tend not to care very much to be honest. Our politicians/government are playing their own games, but if it was just up to public vote, things could almost change tomorrow here, depending on which poll you look at.

It doesn't seem like that in the US (at least not from this distance). Such a shame when it's people like the gentleman in this video that is more than likely to vote for equality if a sound and well thought out discussion is had with him and not just someone jumping all over him, like the one particular protestor.

 

[SLOPPYSECONDS]

Your post is an excellent one.

The truth is a duality. While it is true that the ignorant are the potential ground we may gain in societal support, it is also important that we recognize there are powerful forces, not ignorant, who are indeed malicious and work to our harm.

And thanks for the thread, newbie. Nice job!

stick on moon nothin change fa thousands years

females know it ans so on

so go figa why folk of so modern day keep say wot a do ans ooh it this it that ans round ans round it go

unless cultures make repeat recordins just fill time

good luck

 

[Thingsandstuff]

Your post is an excellent one.

The truth is a duality. While it is true that the ignorant are the potential ground we may gain in societal support, it is also important that we recognize there are powerful forces, not ignorant, who are indeed malicious and work to our harm.

And thanks for the thread, newbie. Nice job!

thanks. I've been stalking those forums for a while now because I'm a closet case but this video really got to me for some reason.

and yea, someone malicious who is strategically working just to see us treated as lesser people, does not deserve our time and effort (mainly because there's no fixing him).