It happened in this state. Wyoming
In this city
Down this road
So I settle in just across the way.
And begin reflecting on this young man---Matthew Shepard--the victim.
Lured to this spot--Nov 26, 2004---robbed for his money, then MURDERED FOR HIS GAYNESS. This last fact attracted worldwide attention. News media from around the globe flooded the town for the story. Thousands of protest marchers converged to express their outrage. The task I've set for myself is to discover whether Laramie town is homophobic and to reflect on the deeper meaning of this brutality.
I tracked down the (then)Sheriff of Laramie---and found him playing the part of a sheriff in the annual Territorial Prison Festival. His name is Gary Puls (pronounced Pulse) and his new job is Asst. Supt of Wyoming Territorial Prison here. He was super-nice--gave me a tour of the grounds---answered my questions about the Shephard killing--and offered me a job. (no thanks)I already knew that the killers were caught, convicted and sentenced to life. I asked what it was like to be at the center of world news focus. Unbelievably stressful he said---blood pressure through the roof. Was there any sympathy in Laramie for the killers? Absolutely none!
I checked that last statement out---asking all over town, people's opinion on the killing---these two guys crawled from beneath the car to tell me that they and the town were horrified. It's true--I found no homophobia in Laramie. The protesters who showed up found themselves preaching to the choir. Locals joined in to send a message to the world: homophobia is irrational hate and we will not tolerate it.
I took a day off to find MY PEOPLE---the Unitarians---and go hiking with them around Turtle Mountain. I'll reveal shortly why I choose to identify with them.
RANDY PHILOPHIZES: Millions are accomplices to this murder. Everyone who believes the Bible to be the word of God had a hand in the killing--and in every other act of homophobic persecution. Romans 1:26/27 (and a host of similar verses) declares homosexuality a sin and an abomination. And based on Biblical teaching, generations of Gays, Lesbians etc have been persecuted. Christianity is responsible for the CLIMATE OF OPINION that metastasises in certain minds like these killers. The Bible is just dead wrong on this issue and the Western world is slowly coming to realize it. We know now that homosexuality is and has always been a natural part of human and animal life. Not unlike red hair or left handedness. We're not sure of the details--just of the fact.
THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS THIS:----BELIEF IN REVELATION ITSELF!!!---- Believing that there is a God---AND THAT HE WRITES ( OR INSPIRES THE WRITING OF) AUTHORITATIVE BOOKS.------ I SAY THIS TO ALL WHO BELIEVE THERE MUST BE A GOD: --WHY NOT JUST BELIEVE IN GOD AND REJECT THE NOTION THAT HE WRITES OR INSPIRES THE WRITING OF "HOLY BOOKS". (i.e. reject the notion of revelation) Believe that God leaves it to us to create and perfect ethics--- Just as he leaves it to us to invent technology, art, culture. Believing this ---will take away the worst effects of religion. And then--choose to live by real faith:--trusting your own deepest intuition. (that is approximately the Unitarian position--the only church I know that rejects all infallible revelations)
I checked that last statement out---asking all over town, people's opinion on the killing---these two guys crawled from beneath the car to tell me that they and the town were horrified. It's true--I found no homophobia in Laramie. The protesters who showed up found themselves preaching to the choir. Locals joined in to send a message to the world: homophobia is irrational hate and we will not tolerate it.
I took a day off to find MY PEOPLE---the Unitarians---and go hiking with them around Turtle Mountain. I'll reveal shortly why I choose to identify with them.RANDY PHILOPHIZES: Millions are accomplices to this murder. Everyone who believes the Bible to be the word of God had a hand in the killing--and in every other act of homophobic persecution. Romans 1:26/27 (and a host of similar verses) declares homosexuality a sin and an abomination. And based on Biblical teaching, generations of Gays, Lesbians etc have been persecuted. Christianity is responsible for the CLIMATE OF OPINION that metastasises in certain minds like these killers. The Bible is just dead wrong on this issue and the Western world is slowly coming to realize it. We know now that homosexuality is and has always been a natural part of human and animal life. Not unlike red hair or left handedness. We're not sure of the details--just of the fact.
THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS THIS:----BELIEF IN REVELATION ITSELF!!!---- Believing that there is a God---AND THAT HE WRITES ( OR INSPIRES THE WRITING OF) AUTHORITATIVE BOOKS.------ I SAY THIS TO ALL WHO BELIEVE THERE MUST BE A GOD: --WHY NOT JUST BELIEVE IN GOD AND REJECT THE NOTION THAT HE WRITES OR INSPIRES THE WRITING OF "HOLY BOOKS". (i.e. reject the notion of revelation) Believe that God leaves it to us to create and perfect ethics--- Just as he leaves it to us to invent technology, art, culture. Believing this ---will take away the worst effects of religion. And then--choose to live by real faith:--trusting your own deepest intuition. (that is approximately the Unitarian position--the only church I know that rejects all infallible revelations)
BELIEVE WITH THOMAS JEFFERSON AND MANY OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS THAT GOD LEAVES THE JOB OF ETHICS TO US.-------- THAT WAY,--WE-,-ALL OF US--PARTICIPATE IN AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PERSONAL AND COLLECTIVE CODE THAT WE LIVE BY---A CODE THAT IS NOT YET PERFECTED--one that moves forward as we become more sensitive to the feelings and needs of others. THIS IS A LOFTIER VIEW OF LIFE---AS CREATIVE RESPONSIVENESS RATHER THAN THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF LIFE AS OBEDIANCE TO GODS WILL.
The global clash of ignorant armies largely represent "Holy Book" conflicts---There are 27 of them that claim to be inspired by god. Around the world children are infected with MIND VIRUSES of doctrines and wierd ethics that constrict their lives, impose needless guilt and fear.
MOST OF US HAVE BEEN INDOCTRINATED WITH SOME SORT OF MIND VIRUS---YET, I SAY EVERY ONE OF US IS RESPONSIBLE FOR QUESTIONING THEIR INDOCTRINATION ----SHUCKING THE CRAZY STUFF--AND BUILDING AN EHIC APPROPRIATE TO OURSELVES. (Have you REALLY questioned yours?)
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