Hey, I know it is not really reasonable to insist on complete consistency when it comes to human beings. We are, after all, human. We all are likely to be tempted to provide preferential treatment or suggest less harsh punishments in accordance to biases we hold. I recognize that being absolutely impartial is not within the capabilities of our species. That being said, I do believe it is a lofty and worthy goal which will never be met. It is also an effort that should be made in each and every instance. Shockingly enough, this brings me to reach out to some people who I believe would agree with me as to the value of such basic fairness. Namely some leaders of the Religious Right, Pat Robertson and Jimmy Swaggart. I believe they are missing a prime opportunity to show the world that they recognize that folks should be treated with equal justice, and the all religions I know of, especially Christianity, believe in a fair and loving god.
I know the loving part is questionable, considering the massive amount of killing that occurs in the Bible at the command of such God. Certainly, I would point to other tragedies that have occured and be skeptical of a "love" that could only be described as the ultimate form of "Tough Love." The AIDS epidemic for example or the Bay Area earthquake in 1989 doesn't really fit with my notion of what love is. Love however is a highly subjective term. Fairness, on the other hand, is much easier. Rather, experiences that lack fairness are easy to spot. Mr. Robertson would agree that whatever transgressions committed by the Gay population that provoked God to punish the people of San Francisco with Earth Shaking Monster Truck Force, would also be punished if they were committed by another group. What these evangelists, who are in direct communication with the all mighty on a daily basis, have failed to explain is what sort of sin the folks in the Gulf of Mexico must have committed to cause GOD to punish those folks the way he did.
Or is it that he has changed his mind and the Liberal Population that supports Gay Marriage in places like Massachussetts are spared even as a Tropical Storm breezes off the coast. Conversely the highly conservative -W suppoting- people of Texas, have raised the ire of the King of Kings by refusing to sanction such legislation. Leaving God no choice but to smite them. Where are these two prophets, helping the unlearned avoid any additional wrath. Why do I hear no guidance for being spared a third lashing for these transgressions.
I must call out to them, for the sake of this area of our country, use your voice. Tell the people to take heed from their New England siblings. Legalize Gay Marriage immediately. Perhaps God would be extra soothed if some of you straight folk actually would engage in some homosexual activities, it couldn't hurt. President Bush, don't nominate another conservative Justice to the Supreme Court. God obviously hated that idea. Maybe electing two democratic Senators could be part of the effort...it clearly didn't hurt those Cape Cod dwellers as "Ophelia," mosied down the coast.
These efforts are really just a beginning. What is vital for the entire nation and our species as a whole, is to engage in some prevention. NEBRASKANS--Don't wait for Tornado season to enact these measures. ALABAMANS--No more Ten Commandments in the Supreme Court. (If God could engrave them at Mount Olive, he could do so in Montgomery, if he so chose) and for the "LOVE OF GOD" no pun intended. CALIFORNIANS--your state lies on a fault. Some sort of pre-punishment planning on the part of God. And you go elect a Republican Governor. Please don't do that again.
