In some areas of the US it is a much bigger advantage than others.
Homosexuality in much of the country is still not readily accepted. Seriously, the hate I have seen from many supposed Christians to homosexual people is sickening (“Love your neighbor as yourself” seems to be the first of Jesus’ teachings that is forgotten). Many churches hear still advocate “conversion therapy”
I’m talking about Australia, where the majority of our population don’t identify as religious.
The level of atheism, agnosticism and others who identify with but don’t follow or practice religion at all vastly supercedes that of America.
Perhaps the USA still has an issue with homosexuality… Outside of religious circles (which were admittedly common in the US) I never encountered an area where a significant demographic had an issue with it
If the USA is still as discriminatory as you say it is, then I change my tune. Coming out is a very courageous act in the USA if you will knowingly be at a disadvantage because of it yet still decide to identify as the person you are as opposed to conforming and living out a miserable and repressed life.
I think this depends heavily on one’s course of study. None of my engineering professors ever brought up anything political.
It treat it like like thanksgiving… “I am thankful for being born a white straight male in America. Now, let’s eat!”
What do you find hateful about that? Would you find it hateful to try and convert an adulterer into a faithful spouse? Do you believe not buying a drunk a drink incongruous with the command to “Love your neighbor as yourself” because were you a drunk you would want someone to buy you a drink?
They are many organizations across the US that are non profits that provide housing for LGBTQ teens who have been kicked out of their parents house.
I don’t understand parents who do that.
See the Zebra Coalition of Florida.
@NickViar
It is not a Christians job to change someone, just bring them to Jesus. I have no problem encouraging anyone to explore a relationship with the Lord. My problem is the misinterpretation of the Bible regarding homosexuality. In its original language there is nothing in the Bible in regards to this. Additionally, it is not my place to judge (whether that be alcoholism, adultery, sexuality or other). Conversion therapy is on kids is abuse.
Advantage for what?
Getting hired, not being treated like crap, less likely to get pulled over.
I know business owners in some areas who will not hire minorities no matter what.
Adultery is a choice, as is drinking alcohol prior to the individual becoming entrapped within the throes of addiction
Homosexuality isn’t a choice, from my view there is a distinct difference. Aside from that, clinical literature universally pans the ideology behind conversion therapy as it appears to be ineffective.
Rehab works, conversion therapy doesn’t. To my knowledge there is no body of modern data within medical journals that supports conversion therapy. The same cannot be said for rehab/AA
But the advantage isn’t being white, it’s that the other person is a racist.
Good point.
If that’s blown up to a large enough scale though the advantage would be because one is white due to the prevalence of racist dicks.
Being indigenous in Australia… Or Asian… Equates to a disadvantage due to discrimination.
If you are unfortunate enough to be one of the ten people who descend from Africa (barring South Africa) living in Australia… I’m actually not sure if there’s frequent discrimination against black people over here. Racism here is generally directed towards Asian immigrants and our indigenous population, which is very widespread and highly unfortunate. The prevalence of racial discrimination is certainly more common than the prevalence of racism in the US, though the demographics racially discriminated against appear to be very specific. Anecdotally I’ve noted the Islamophobic/anti Muslim sentiment doesn’t appear to be quite as strong here as it was in the US when I lived there.
People use ethnic slurs quite a bit in Aus in a comical manner… and they shouldn’t. But Australians aren’t known for being “PC”. Many Australians also casually drop the C word constantly. There are cultural aspects regarding our penchant for crude humour that’d never… Ever… Ever pass in America.
Granted I’m not a fan of profanity. I find crude humour funny but seldom use it myself in person. I swear when I feel swearing is necessary, I feel as if this equates to a bigger impact when I do actually use harsh profanity as people know I’m actually serious or angry.
They have been less and less prevalent, and certainly, less and less powerful.
I agree. I believe this particular issue is trending the right direction.
Kind of disagree regarding adultery. Adultery is immoral and tends to breakdown relationships/the familial unit. I’m not going to jail someone for it, but I’d distance myself from a friend if they were cheating on their GF/Spouse if they didn’t come clean or knock it off instantly.
I can’t stand cheating on intimate partners, it’s morally abhorrent in my opinion as it equates to taking advantage of someone’s unbridled trust/love towards you. I find it to be almost akin to a form of deception.
As to alcoholism… I do judge if said alcoholism is associated with a deterioration in the ability for the alcoholic to go about his/her day to day life. If they can’t hold down a job, their demeanour turns abusive towards their family/friends… I judge. If they’re a functioning alcoholic, then I won’t “judge” though I do believe alcoholism is one of the most physically destructive addictions. You can develop cirrhosis, cardiomyopathy etc from a few years or less of constant binge drinking. Rapidly (physically) destructive relative to many other drug addictions.
I also sympathise with the nature of addiction and believe said individual requires support and rehabilitation provided they are willing to change as opposed to punishment.
Good post. People need to understand the difference between privileges and rights. If I’ve never faced discrimination based on race, sex, religion etc, it’s not a privilege, it’s the way things are supposed to be in this country. There are people who have had their rights infringed upon and in those individual cases they should get relief through the legal system and it should be consistent.
This sounds more like a healthy boundary than a judgement. Kind of like saying “you do you, but I won’t be associated with that”.
Alcoholism is a tough one for me to. I can judge someone’s poor choice turning to an addictive substance without judging their entire character (I think). I haven’t dealt with alcoholism though so I don’t understand all the repercussions.
Not the part I judge, I’m actually quite understanding of this. I understand neurological dysregulation, unfortunate environmental circumstances can turn people to drugs… Though even healthy, productive members of society sometimes experiment the pattern of drug use associated with misery tends to be far more destructive.
I judge when said drug use leads to downstream ramifications that impede the quality of life for members of society aside from the user.
I have dealt with alcoholism/other drug addictions. Not through myself, but from watching alcoholism wreck familial relationships, watching friends succumb to harder and harder drug use or alcohol abuse. Thankfully I’m not around a whole lot of this anymore. I actually feel like I dodged a bullet in this regard despite losing nearly all of my friends.
Due to being on campus now I’m constantly around binge drinking and borderline ethanol dependancy amongst other things (for many, our binge drinking culture/culture of glorifying alcoholism and day drinking is abhorrent), but this still pales comparative to the environment I was wrapped up in towards the end of high school/the months following high school but predating covid.
Alcohol tends to be one of the most destructive when abused despite also being the most societally accepted as it is marketed as an acceptable past time. The few I’ve seen that appear to be worse based on clinical literature coupled with anecdote from witnessing consequences associated with use are like… Cocaine, opiates, methamphetamine… I hear crack is bad too (cocaine/baking soda, generally smoked), but that never hit Aus.
I said, “a drunk.”
Maybe not, but acting on it is.
I have no idea. I don’t speak it. But there’s nothing hateful about trying to bring people away from homosexuality if one believes it is sinful.
I agree if it is done with respect and love. But more often than not the LGBTQ community is met with instant condemnation from the church. This shows a lack for kindness towards other flawed humans (if one follows the Bible we are all flawed) and gives off a “holier than thou” attitude. Would you want to go somewhere people constantly look down on you and think you are lesser for whatever reason?