342 - What a skillfully ignorant (and, I suspect, intentional) misreading of my comment.

Inasmuch as the rest of my comment questioned the use of bigoted invective to denounce bigoted invective, one might assume that the quotation - regarding the oppressed wishing to imitate their oppressors - was directed at that unfortunate tendency. However, it quickly became clear from the rest of your response that you would have ample reason to ignore such an obvious conclusion in favor of something which, ludicrous though it is, nevertheless allows you to maintain your favored victim status while simultaneously lashing out with vituperative scorn.

Speaking for myself, I can only find blind arrogance and naked bigotry behind the assumption that *I* seek to stop any group from enjoying the rights that I get to enjoy - a sweeping, ignorant statement that you have absolutely no way to assert as fact, but which undoubtedly serves its purpose in allowing you to maintain your poisonous bigotry with a clear conscience.

Further, you go on to assert that "When the group you are bigoted against are homosexuals, you are more specifically considered homophobic, although bigot still works." Assuming that I am bigoted against anyone for any reason is a scurrilous enough declaration, but your further comment that "When you fail to understand and accept that about yourselves you will never 1) seek to change it, or 2) be able to understand how these bigoted beliefs affect your children and society at large." is the supercilious height of presumptuousness.

Perhaps you might take your own scolding to heart before presuming to lecture others? More likely, I suspect that you'll continue to wallow in the hypocrisy of your own position, further alienating those who would otherwise extend their support for your objectives.

In my sight, you are no better than the "christian bigots" you claim to despise.

342 - What a skillfully ignorant (and, I suspect, intentional) misreading of my comment.

Inasmuch as the rest of my comment questioned the use of bigoted invective to denounce bigoted invective, one might assume that the quotation - regarding the oppressed wishing to imitate their oppressors - was directed at that unfortunate tendency. However, it quickly became clear from the rest of your response that you would have ample reason to ignore such an obvious conclusion in favor of something which, ludicrous though it is, nevertheless allows you to maintain your favored victim status while simultaneously lashing out with vituperative scorn.

Speaking for myself, I can only find blind arrogance and naked bigotry behind the assumption that *I* seek to stop any group from enjoying the rights that I get to enjoy - a sweeping, ignorant statement that you have absolutely no way to assert as fact, but which undoubtedly serves its purpose in allowing you to maintain your poisonous bigotry with a clear conscience.

Further, you go on to assert that "When the group you are bigoted against are homosexuals, you are more specifically considered homophobic, although bigot still works." Assuming that I am bigoted against anyone for any reason is a scurrilous enough declaration, but your further comment that "When you fail to understand and accept that about yourselves you will never 1) seek to change it, or 2) be able to understand how these bigoted beliefs affect your children and society at large." is the supercilious height of presumptuousness.

Perhaps you might take your own scolding to heart before presuming to lecture others? More likely, I suspect that you'll continue to wallow in the hypocrisy of your own position, further alienating those who would otherwise extend their support for your objectives.

In my sight, you are no better than the "christian bigots" you claim to despise.

This post, and the subsequent array of responding comments, for me serves to highlight the truth of an observation by the philosopher Eric Hoffer:

"I doubt if the oppressed ever fight for freedom. They fight for pride and for power -- power to oppress others. The oppressed want above all to imitate their oppressors; they want to retaliate."

The thirst for vengeance runs as a disturbing undercurrent to this discussion. It is staggering enough to attempt to envision the type of intellect that can decry the bigoted condemnation of gays while simultaneously condemning christians with bigoted invective. It has been observed that there is no imperative forcing one to respect another's religious faith. True enough. But one might also observe that there is no imperative forcing one to respect another's sexual orientation.

It is estimated that some 76% of Americans identify themselves as christians. It seems monumentally stupid to insult the handful who have come here to assert their agreement with the basic premise of the author's post - i.e., that the "dehumanizing bigotries that fall from lips of "faithful Christians," and the lies that spew forth from the pulpit of the churches "faithful Christians" drag their kids to on Sundays" are harmful, ignorant, and backwards. I am not quite convinced that greeting those from faiths that accept all people and assert their committal to GLBT equality with dehumanizing bigotry of your own is entirely a productive endeavor. Of course, if your objective is not social harmony and equality for all people, but to 'win', then of course, by all means, tear them apart like a pack of ravenous dogs.

In the meantime, let us ignore completely the actual root of the problem - the prevalence of bullying and lack of respect for others that tends to run virulently among our children - a problem that results in tragedy for gay children and straight children alike. It is said that hatred and bigotry are learned qualities. I wonder what lessons are being learned from the author's post and the subsequent replies?