To be sure, thefactor is intelligent, but crafty. It does not surprise me that you are pro-choice. Your reason for being pro-choice, “too many people can’t control themselves”. Are there no condoms? Are there no adoption agencies? And since this is the season to be marry should I quote Scrooge? Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses? Well then let them die and reduce the surplus population. Tell me why killing an 8 month old infant by its mother is any different than killing the mother and child as Peterson apparently did?
As for gays, there is no need to lecture us about the difference between militant gays and other gays. As a New Yorker you are no doubt familiar with Mulberry Street and the SanGiniaro festival are you not? Do they not parade religious articles in the street? Should we not be offended, and should it not be at the very least disorderly conduct for two gay men to follow the parade, one holding a jockstrap in the air as he walked backward, while the other gay male, licking his lips and smelling the jockstrap in obvious orgasmic detail parade before old and the very young? I am giving you an eye witness account. I expect we will agree on this point.
As for the motives of those who are intolerant of our religious beliefs, they are not relevant. There is no requirement of an evil mind before condemning the conduct as offensive. The act is wrong in and of itself. The actor does not have artistic license to violate the right to the free religious expression of others. Perhaps you do not see religious bigotry as intolerance. But I do. Perhaps you can explain the origins of the universe without believing in something you cannot understand, but I cannot.
As an accommodation to a society that has been polluted by secularism, I recognize that civil unions are now necessary. The “toothpaste is out of the tube” it is now time to try to clean up the mess. We can not return to the “good old days” of “Father Knows Best”. We are beyond that point. We have ventured down the proverbial “slippery slope.”
You cleverly frame the marriage issue in religious terms by saying: “I do not think the church will or should recognize their unions.” I do not say this for your benefit, since I am sure you already know. It is not the Church in this instance that opposes gay marriage; it is the 80% of the voting public. Surely you know who won the election, and that all of the referendums condemning gay marriage as an acceptable secular policy passed by an overwhelming majority. Do you not?
I do not have the time to begin a discussion about how blacks continue to be enslaved by social welfare programs, nor do I suspect that you need my input on that point. I recognize that you are intelligent, but your lack of understanding of how conservative philosophy is a superior working model for a well-ordered society is evident.
I am please to be able to converse with you, and if you don’t mind a suggestion, since you do not have a TV, which I acknowledge is a good think. If you have not already read it, I will recommend a book to you.
“The Death of Right and Wrong” by Tammy Bruce.
I do, however, favor abortion when rape is involved or when the mother's life is in danger.
As for religion, I realize you do not need my acceptance of it. But you also need to understand that religion is a learned phenomenon. Like math or chemistry. Well, I just never took the course. But I know plenty of people who did and am always interested in listening to their philosophy even if I have no interest in enrolling in the school.
And of course I realize that I live in NYC and my views may become diluted, but my core belief system will always mirror the red states. We are the kind of people who make this country what it is: the greatest one in the world. I will keep a look out for the book you recommended. Thanks.