Persecution complex

Gods not dead 2 is just a further evolution of the persecution, and torture porn fetish that is Christianity. It started in the original gospels and is now being portrayed with modern technology instead of campfire fables. True GND2 is not a retelling of these ancient stories, but still seeks to frighten the masses with tales of persecution. These false narratives are drivers in the political will that is behind some of these egregious new laws popping up in the more evangelical states. Laws like the Tennessee bathroom bill, and Mississippi's Christians can shoot people bills. A staggering majority of the populations in these states are evangelical, and indubitably buy into the “if I can't be a bigot I'm being persecuted” message the proponents throw around. The truth that I wish they could see is that the world around them is moving forward and leaving Christian privilege behind.

 No group should have rights that harm other groups. The evangelical majority has held positions of privilege and power over others for far too long, and the rest of the country is fighting back to make America “one nation, indivisible ,with liberty and justice for ALL ” again. This does not mean everyone has to agree on everything just that every one enjoys the same liberties.  

Tennessee theocracy strikes again...

Tennessee fails again with their new "bathroom bill". This bill requires
transgender students to use the restrooms that match the sex on their
"original" birth certificate. Effectively, this prevents transgender students
from using restrooms in public schools.  The bill sponsored by Tennessee
theocrats highlights the need for the secular community in Tennessee to make
themselves known.  We are an ever growing number and must show politicians that
we are a viable voting block.

With the presidential elections looming over us,
it is easy to over look the importance of participation in local elections.
It is on the local level where our legislators cause the most problems, or
potentially make the most progress for our communities.  Tennessee has been
ruled by theocrats for far too long. We must organize and stand behind more
progressive local leaders. We need to support leaders more willing to stand up
for the rights of the minorities. The evangelical majority has harmed too many
and needs to be removed. We need to clear the way for Tennessee to move out of
the dark ages.

Love beats bigotry: supreme court rules marriage as a right

Love beats bigotry, at least according to the supreme court ruling today. The ruling was a historic moment in the gay rights movement. The divisive laws in states like Tennessee have been overruled by this decision. The evangelical Christian majority is already crying foul. It's this backwards narrative they have that by removing their ability to oppress people is somehow “oppressive”. However, let us not allow them to bring down the joy this ruling will bring to the people who want nothing more than the freedom to love. The union of two people in marriage is the ultimate expression of love they can share, and at least for now the evangelical bigotry can't stop them.   

Reminding the Religious "Right", they got their ethics "wrong"

The Christian majority is pushing back against equal rights for the LGBT community. The rhetoric is extensively negative, and they play the victim card vehemently. All we seem to hear is how granting equal rights to all, is somehow infringing upon their rights. It is a very shallow claim, considering that in Tennessee where the Southern Baptist Commission will hold their national conference there is an 81% Christian majority. The push back has been increasing over the past few years, with their anti gay sentiments getting even stronger. From the pulpits, the hatred is disguised in the “hate the sin, not the sinner” doctrine. The message is that in order avoid eternal torture LGBT youths and adults must deny who they are. The LGBT community must commit to a life of solitude and repress any feelings or longings for someone they love. This is an abject message to “preach” to anyone, and for the Christians majority to act as if Christians are the victims is abhorrent. They have overplayed their victim card while ignoring the true victims of their hate message.

The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network and WBIR report that in Tennessee alone the teen suicide rate has increased to a five year high. While not all of teen suicides are related to anti LGBT sentiments, there is a strong correlation. When a LGBT youth is told they must deny who they are to avoid eternal torture, it is emotionally damaging. Often, these youths are shunned from their communities and homes, and left with no one to turn to for help. The teenage years are an emotionally challenging time for any teen, but being shamed simply for who they love is overwhelming to some. Some hot lines and organizations exist, but a broader message of equality is being shouted down by those in the religious majority pretending to be the oppressed rather than the oppressor.

In the south, the fight for equality and LGBT acceptance is increasingly uphill. Every day it seems a new headline about anti-gay hate speech emerges. Like the report from North Carolina, where a teacher is forced to resign over a “pro-gay” children's book. The teacher introduced the book, King and King, to illustrate respect and equality. We can clearly see from the reaction this teacher received where the anti-gay sentiments and bullying originates. LGBT adults and youths are constantly being threatened with eternal torture by fire. They are given labels such as “abomination”, and “birth defects”.

The insidious response of the religious needs to stop, and we need to raise awareness

of the actual harm being done. We must support organizations helping to protect and counsel

LGBTQ youths, and work to create an atmosphere of acceptance. The LGBT community has made incredible strides forward, but the religious majorities are pushing back even harder. Please do what you can in your local communities to stop the wave of inequality trying to creep back into society.