Do you hear what I hear?
August 01, 2002

Mikey raises a good point over at Enemy of the Church? about more diverse and accommodating voices of gay people stepping up to debate issues. He also points out that the success of his site is due in large part to the middle ground that he takes on gays in Catholicism.

Yo' Atheist Boy! What do you care about religion?

Mike's trying to change the views within his faith by being open, accommodating and rational -- three of the best ideas out there.

I'm the first to admit I'm excruciatingly blunt on line and in writing (conversely, in person I'm rather general and encouraging... my disposition as a former therapist lingers on it would seem.) That works for me. There are just too many silly ideas that people bat around with unearned reverence for me to bite my tongue and let them linger on like a smelly, loud and boorish drunk at a party who just won't take the hint to leave. Some ideas are stupid, some opinion is uniformed, and some propositions are dangerous. They need to be called such.

Yet no idea or opinion can ever be censored, forbidden or denied. While not all ideas are equal, all are equal of being heard -- if for no other reason than to know which are the stupid, uniformed and dangerous ones that need to be dropped into the hottest pit on the summer side of Mercury.

Being heard is also a check on the tendency for people, myself included, to regard anything and everything they say as being right and free of error. We all make mistakes, go off on tangents or are just in need of further education and introspection regarding our ideas, beliefs and opinions. Having others there to point those times out, sometimes gently, sometimes firmly, sometimes even loudly, is important.

That's why I get upset when people like Mike are excluded from Blogs4God or when Far Left gays try to silence the Andrew Sullivan's of the world. As we are all stuck here working out our salvation in fear and trembling with only each other for guidance, comfort and security, we haven't the luxury to let any idea go unheard. (Or unchallenged.)

If we are to continue making headway against the oppressive tide of night, then we must listen to each other. I have my fingers crossed that many will listen to Mike.

Posted by Jody at August 1, 2002 01:26 AM

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