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Sentinel Review letters to the Editor Update Nov 19/04
I found this one in the paper today and I just had to respond. People like this make me sick. Our opinion (in green) follows the letter to the Editor called "Confused by message in editorial"
Confused by message in editorial
Re: If you’re gay, stay away from Alberta (editorial, Nov. 11)
I am a 16-year-old high school student and I was quite confused by this article. The statement: “But it’s contradictory to let the majority decide the fate of the minority,” for a start. Contradictory to what? Isn’t that how democracy works? The majority (in a democracy) does decide what happens to themselves and to minorities.
The editorial writer also cites the civil-rights movement and the women’s-rights movement as being minorities, which have triumphed previously. Civil rights were for all adults (definitely not a minority) and women’s rights were for all women (also not a minority). The writer went on to say “same-sex marriage has been legalized in seven provinces.” Mr. Klein should not necessarily have to follow suit, as it would be illogical and not thinking for himself and the people he represents if he did. The writer also put a nasty spin on Mr. Klein’s motives, by using the “Pied Piper’’ analogy, which implies that Mr. Klein and his Albertan supporters think that homosexuals are “rats.’’
The whole article implies that people who side with Mr. Klein are “narrow-minded” or “homophobic.’’ It could be said that homosexuals and their supporters are “narrow- minded” for backing what they believe. But both of these standpoints are equally illogical. The worst thing, however, is what the editorial writer says about rights for homosexuals. Everyone in Canada has human rights already. We don’t need any more; but if one group or minority has more rights, they start to encroach on the rights of other people, which is actually illegal.
On another note, you cannot change whether you are black or white, but it is theoretically possible to change your “sexual orientation.” Therefore, the black or white comparison is invalid. A few questions arise: Do your rights come from the government? Are you “narrow-minded” to stand up for what you believe in?
There are several passages in the Bible that deal with these issues, such as Genesis 19 and Romans 1. Where does God stand on this issue?
George Wright - Woodstock
Re: Confused by message in editorial Nov 19/04
What does "God" have to with the fundamental preferences which are ingrained upon individuals through no choice of their own? Can you choose to like liver or beans. Can you choose to like the scent of eucalypts or cinnamon?
My severely handicapped, non verbal, son seems to prefer rap music to classical or country. Because my son is in a special needs class with only a few other children, he is not exposed to rap music in school and yet he tunes his radio to these funky beats. This conduct leads me to believe that our preferences are essentially beyond our abilities to change them. One can certainly become accustomed to changes over time, however this does not necessarily mean that our preferences have deviated.
If these basic fundamental inclinations were within our ability to reform, surely I would make myself like cheesecake, as everyone I see eating it seems to be having an enjoyable time.
Unequivocally, it is not narrow minded to think that all human beings should be subject to same rights and privileges. Therefore if a straight person such as myself has the right to marry the person I love, so too should a gay person. What does sexual preference have to do with love? In a multi-cultural society such as ours why should the "Christian's God" influence our laws?. What about Allah or
Budda. What about Pagans or atheists, undoubtedly there aren't many Christian scientists. However there are probably some gay ones. The narrow minded are those who wish to implement their ideology upon other people at the expense of equal rights and freedom of religion.
In our united nation, this issue of human rights should be one of federal importance and not concerning Ralf
Klein. Equal rights for all!
Lady Godivas
