Most people who use the Bible for political benefit have never read it. They don't even know what it is, where it came from, nor the historical events that put it together. That doesn't matter to them, for their beliefs are born in prejudice and not in faith.
When we talk of religious zealots, we are usually talking about people in positions of power who lead religious imbeciles around by the proverbial ring in their noses to gin up hate. Those in power are using the most useful tool available........ fear combined with religious belief. Not all who are religious are imbeciles. Nor are they all led around by the nose. Unfortunately, there are enough instilled with so much hate that those in power are endowed with more of the same. It's not the Bible that is the culprit here. It is the part of the population who are afraid of us. They are afraid that if we are given equal rights that their children will be infected somehow with some mysterious disease and join us. And it has been this same pattern throughout history. You don't think that we could put soldiers on the battlefield if we couldn't convince them to hate the enemy? If we taught them about the enemy's culture, their family life, their desire to just live like anyone else....... there would be no will to pull the trigger.
Fear and hate breads power. You don't think that these idiots drafting legislation or whining on the news that it's too expensive to provide health care for the unfortunate truly believe what they profess? Of course not. They are simply abusing their power. "By their acts, ye shall know them." By definition, they are not Christian.
What we need to do is to continue to plod along. In just two decades since I transitioned, I have seen many significant advancements for LGBT rights. I am very confident that there will be another voter initiative here in California in the next election where we will restore marriage benefits for all. I think that we will deal with the fear. I think that more people than ever will support us and others who suffer all manner of society's indignations.
The key thing we need to realize is that this element in our society runs on fear and hatred. To return the same is unproductive. We need to understand that there are many good faithful people will support us if they see positive action from us. They will see us. They will interact with us. They will get to know us. They will then understand that we pose no threat.
Cindi
