Hoping for Progress in Human Rights in 2021


A minister in the Community Cosmopolitan Church is praying for progress in acceptance of LGBTQ people both in the U.S. and around the world. It seems to me some progress was made in 2020. I share his wish for more.

Among all the talk about "religious freedom" is the hidden message of more prejudice. It's not even hidden in many cases. This set of people wants the right to look down on and make life miserable for those they dislike. It is stated in the language of religion.

What such people don't understand is that there has been a flattening out of social structures in many ways. While the distribution of wealth and income has become less equal, less flat, the computer has given voice to grievances unequaled in history. It has become possible to form effective coalitions of resistance not possible in a previous time.

One bit of evidence has been the emergence of political influence of women. It is commonly thought women's votes were a big factor in the last election. The number of women in high political offices is increasing. While this doesn't spill automatically into more influence for gay people, atheists, minority races, etc. I think it presents the avenue available. Let's hope so anyway.

One tangible and verifiable place influence has flattened is in fund raising. The ability to raise lots of money for political purposes through small donations has become formidable. This ability is available to those who weaponize religion against groups such as LGBTQ but so far they have been less successful. 

All of us who watch and/or participate in politics know events do not move in a straight line. Both conservatives and liberals experience successes and failures. The election of Biden will birth complaints and dissatisfaction among his supporters about things that are still out of reach. 

I am grateful for all readers of this blog, supporters and critics. I wish for all a Happy New Year.

Comments

  1. HenryJanuary 1, 2021 at 8:49 AM

    Jon:"The election of Biden will birth complaints and dissatisfaction among his supporters about things that are still out of reach."
    That statement is a little presumptuous. The Biden folks still have a treble hook in their mouth with some 30# test FireLine reeling away. Although, John Roberts has his needle nose pliers out furiously trying to ease out that hook. His supporters never were really there en mass.

    Jon:"This ability is available to those who weaponize religion against groups such as LGBTQ but so far they have been less successful."
    The problem is that the gay agenda has done a superb job of not allowing distinctions. There is a huge difference between looking out and caring for gays and having to accept the radicalized gay agenda. The gay agenda ensures that the two are intertwined, so that if their radical doctrine is not accepted, then one MUST be a hater of gays. That is BS.

    ReplyDelete
  2. HenryJanuary 1, 2021 at 9:10 AM

    Jon:" It is commonly thought women's votes were a big factor in the last election."

    Jon, maybe you have a valid point. Hunter Biden was furiously working with the young female population. If they are not of age to vote, maybe he has their vote secured for the next election. I am curious how last night went for him.
    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/12/hunter-hunter-biden-celebrating-new-year-new-photos-hunter-biden-pushing-drugs-women-emerge/

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Maybe the "Original Sin" Should be Reassigned

Image
We can all agree most Catholic priests are fine people and not guilty of sexual abuse. What Catholics must face, however, it that their church harbors executives who are dishonest . There is an incredible story about the Argentine Bishop Zanchetta. The Pope worked with him in Argentina and they are considered friends. Around 2015 Zanchetta sent nude pictures of himself and they began circulating world wide. He also was too friendly with young seminarians and some left because of him.  Three different officials say they made formal complaints to the Vatican about Zanchetta between 2015 and 2017. Yet, in 2018, the Vatican claimed it was unaware of any complaints about Zanchetta. This might be a good time to repeat the Catholic hierarchy claims to have the sole authority handed down from Jesus to what the faith stands for. It condemns as sinners those who practice birth control, have abortions and gay sexual relationships. Handing the hierarchy this responsibility would make...
Read more

Who Suffers from a "Hardened Heart"

Image
Some years ago on this blog there was a discussion about what the Bible calls "The hardened heart." The "hardened heart" was the explanation given for why people like me cannot accept the tenets of Christianity. We are unable to believe there are floating spirits and gods or imaginary places people go when the die. Now, a prominent Christian preacher and author has given us a way to diagnose the "hardened heart." It contained some surprises.  Rev. John Piper, who spoke about the hardened heart, said we can see this in a person who lacks "ordinary tenderness and compassion." He went on to describe the characteristics of a person without the affliction of the hardened heart. A healthy person displays empathy and sympathy. Those with the hardened heart are like stone. Jesus wanted compassion for the poor. The hardened heart discussion referred to atheists only if they are sinners and then it was indirectly. Sin, Piper said, hardens one's heart a...
Read more

Young Women can see Bull$hit a Mile Away

Image
Republicans including their Forced Birth subgroup is bother by recent election results and polling. All show young women going to the left. A poll shows young women are 30% more likely to be very liberal than young men. The link advises the Forced Birth community to give young pregnant women an uplifting message. The message suggested is, "Buck up. You've got this. You can give birth and have a happy life." Another way of saying this is, "It will be OK if you miss work and/or are fired because of the birth. If you cannot make your rent payment, it's OK. Somewhere out there is another place to live. We don't know where but be optimistic."   This is an add on to the new version of the Forced Birth message, "We're for both the baby and the mother." They are not and never have been for the mother. Their message has always been to condemn women who have abortions. Now, the "thoughts and prayers" message, which costs no money, it the me...
Read more