Propositions
May. 26th, 2009 11:10 pmOkay, I finally worked my way through most of my fuming over the inevitable re: Prop 8. I was relieved to learn that the 18,000 or so existing marriages will remain intact. My married friendsfolk over in Cali will be at the forefront of a renewed push for true equality for all. And I think it just might be a winnable cause in a couple years. I am holing onto hope, for I, too, want to be able to tie the knot eventually.
People who know my well enough know I believe the single most destructive force in the path for marriage equality is organized religion. It is also the prime mover in preventing the advancement of the human race. More often than not it's a sinister, anti-intellectual mindset bent on keeping people stupid and under control. History is proof enough. Since religious groups think nothing of shaping public policy along it's own set of rules, even across state line, I think it's time that any such group doing so shall be put under intense public scrutiny. Much the same as public corporations must file various documents to this effect, the same should hold true for each and every religious group, sect, organization (face it, they are corporations) will have to essentially open it's doors to every aspect of their operations. This act alone will force many of the more secretive and bizarre groups and cults to shrink back into the shadows and get out of the public policy business. Those that continue will risk having their tax exemption withdrawn. Holding their feet to the fire in this way will make many of them think twice and instead go back to the private organizations they were originally supposed to be. Maybe if enough of the details of their inner workings become public, they will be found out to be the scams they actually are.
Nothing is feared more by a bigoted sort than having their inner workings dragged out into the light for all to see.
Anyway, that's my take on things. The tide is turning, and nothing truly worth having was not had without some sort of fight. The fight is in a lot of us, let's keep using it.
People who know my well enough know I believe the single most destructive force in the path for marriage equality is organized religion. It is also the prime mover in preventing the advancement of the human race. More often than not it's a sinister, anti-intellectual mindset bent on keeping people stupid and under control. History is proof enough. Since religious groups think nothing of shaping public policy along it's own set of rules, even across state line, I think it's time that any such group doing so shall be put under intense public scrutiny. Much the same as public corporations must file various documents to this effect, the same should hold true for each and every religious group, sect, organization (face it, they are corporations) will have to essentially open it's doors to every aspect of their operations. This act alone will force many of the more secretive and bizarre groups and cults to shrink back into the shadows and get out of the public policy business. Those that continue will risk having their tax exemption withdrawn. Holding their feet to the fire in this way will make many of them think twice and instead go back to the private organizations they were originally supposed to be. Maybe if enough of the details of their inner workings become public, they will be found out to be the scams they actually are.
Nothing is feared more by a bigoted sort than having their inner workings dragged out into the light for all to see.
Anyway, that's my take on things. The tide is turning, and nothing truly worth having was not had without some sort of fight. The fight is in a lot of us, let's keep using it.