Analogues

Since it's Easter let's talk about religion, and marriage, and family values.  I'm sure I'll have lots more to say about religion soon enough, but here are some things that are on my mind.

Conservative Christians often talk about gay marriage, and their religious objections to it.  Now, I get that they don't like it, and that they think their religion opposes it.  What I don't get is the "I don't like it so you don't get to do it" thing.  Hey, religion can be great, it has done good things, it can be a great guide for your life.  But your religion is just that: yours.  Not mine.  Not anyone else's.  Yours.  And your "religious freedom" does not extend to intruding on my freedoms, in any way.  Practice your own, let others practice theirs.  (And be a decent person and serve them at your restaurant; that should go without saying, but Indiana and other places apparently don't care much about common courtesy.)  What works for you does not necessarily work for everybody else.  There are loads of different religions, and sects within religions, all believing differently.  And that's cool- do your own thing!  Enjoy it!  Don't expect me to  do it or enjoy it, though.

Speaking of marriage, here is something I find analogous to the "live your own life" approach I have to gay marriage: I married a wonderful woman.  She is right for me.  I don't expect everyone else to love her like I do.  To each his own, and all that.  And I'm glad not everyone else wants exactly what she has to offer- brains, beauty, smartass comments, nerdiness, etc.  She has some unusual interests, at least to some people.  She would not be a good fit for everyone.  But she is a perfect fit for me.  And again, that's cool.  You have your own set of qualities and needs, and they're not going to match up with everyone.  I wouldn't expect you to fall in love with the same person I fell in love with.  I wouldn't expect you to be interested in reading the same books I'm interested in, or the same foods, or whatever.  I don't expect you to have the same religious views as I do.  I do expect you to respect my views and let me have them, and to not expect me to have the same ones as you.  Live your life.  Let others live theirs.

Of course, I would think conservatives with their emphasis on individualism, rights, family, and responsibilities would support gay rights, would support everyone's right to live as they see fit.   Especially teabaggers with all the "don't tread on me" slogans.  But I guess I forget that they are hypocritical, historically ignorant boors.  They don't really care about the principles they espouse.  They want to do what they want, and to tell everyone else what to do.  They only care about themselves, and they want everyone else to be like them.