I am writing this note because there seems to be a fundamental misunderstanding among liberals and progressives concerning the disdain for gay marriage within religious right wing orthodoxy. Most liberals seem to consider the debate in simple terms, whether gay people should be treated as equals before the law. These liberals seem to think of the religious right as merely using the Bible as justification to treat gay people differently - I should be counted among these liberals, in fact. I and others can then simply point to the fact that the Bible and other religious texts have historically been used to treat people differently or, in fact, have been used to treat people badly - that the Bible was used as justification for keeping slaves, for treating women differently (in essence as property), and for corporal or even capital punishment. These same texts are used to treat people badly even today. Many students who examine the role of religion in history will come to a similar understanding. However, on the other hand, many of the liberal and progressive thinkers who sought to overturn these injustices were also religious, so it is difficult to say that the religion itself is to blame. In this way, one could say that the prevailing beliefs about morality within the society were not simply reflective of religious orthodoxy, but were rather a reflection of the society itself. Feelings about morality and ethical treatment of people have, indeed, changed over time and society has moved away from traditional orthodox views about sin and punishment. I, as a secular humanist, feel that on the whole society has become more peaceful and moral as a result of this trend.
Yet, among religious conservatives, this idea that society has improved by supplanting old concepts of morality with new goals of equality and a higher degree of personal freedom is an extremely negative one. In the same way that the fundamentalist Jew or Muslim sees progressive attitudes as heresy, Christian conservatives often view historical trends toward progressiveness as a slow moral decay. They, like fundamentalists from other faiths, view any departure from what they feel is the right path specifically ordained by their deity as a deliberate disobedience of God's commands. Moreover, and this is the most important point to make, they feel that a society that deliberately leaves this path is courting disaster - that God will severely punish the society in some way. While God will continue to bless and reward the society that keeps His commands.
As crazy as it might sound to those who do not share this view of history, among Christian, Jewish, and Islamic communities this attitude is a prevailing notion. To them, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is not a simple mythological tale, but an actual historic event that stands as a clear warning to any society that would dare disobey God's commands. This superstitious idea that natural disasters, tumultuous wars, disease, and other trials are punishment for offending God is a strong one among the Abrahamic religions; so much so that modern disasters are often seen by the members of these faiths as contemporary examples of God's wrath and punishment. As an example, to many Christians, the destruction of New Orleans as a result of hurricane Katrina was directly due to debaucherous behavior among its inhabitants; meanwhile many Muslims interpreted it as punishment for what is seen as Western persecutorial wars against Islam. The natural disasters that befell Haiti were seen by these Christian conservatives as punishment for their turning away from God. Other natural disasters are commonly seen in the same superstitious light.
Warfare in history is seen by the Abrahamic religions in much the same way; as evidenced by much of their religious texts. The victorious had God on their side, it would seem to the victors. Nevermind that during battles both sides probably felt a deity was on their side and nevermind that the result was more likely due to superior tactics, strategy, technology, logistics, or manpower. Indeed, this superstitious attitude has historically influenced Christian, Jewish, and Islamic views toward the 'other.'
To many Christians, these superstitious views work their way into their understanding of history. To them, Greece and Rome fell in influence due to what is seen as a moral decadence. Moreover, they see the rise of the US as emblematic of God's bestowal of blessings upon the nation. They commonly view the prominence of the USA, in both economic and political terms, as clear evidence of God's favorable attitude toward the nation. To them, the idea that the US was founded on Christian ideals is very important, because they see the preeminance of the US as a consequence of the nation's faithful adherence to God's commandments.
As a result of having this view, anything they perceive as a departure from God's commands, they consequently believe will surely result in either a decline of American influence and power or a wholesale destruction of the American society writ large. These Christian conservatives commonly view, as an example, legalization of abortion and contraception as symptomatic of the moral decay in American society. They see the prevalence of cohabitation and sex outside of marriage in similar negative terms; to the point that many view STDs as punishment for sexual depravity. They often further believe that euthenasia and what they perceive as a pervasive disrespect toward life stands as further evidence of this decay. Therefore, when the nation then discusses legalization of gay marriage, this is not simply a discussion of whether or not people should be treated equally regardless of their sexual preference, but is rather a further example of what they perceive is the moral degeneration of American society. They genuinely fear that this trend toward 'turpitude' will result in the downfall of the nation.
It is very difficult for me to stay focused at this point in my note. My compulsion is to show that this view of history is a faulty one. I desire to provide historical and modern examples of societies that are not Christian, Jewish, or Islamic yet which are equally or nearly equally 'blessed' in terms of political or economic prosperity. I also feel that I could cast the decline or destruction of ancient societies in a different light by providing myriad other factors for their decline or destruction not related to their adherence to any particular dogma. I further feel compelled to show how our scientific understanding of nature necessarily lends itself to disbelieving any form of superstitious feelings toward divine reward and punishment - for example that the natural forces that brought about hurricane Katrina would have been present regardless of the behavior of the inhabitants of New Orleans; or that equally calamitous events befall those who are 'innocent' of wrongdoing - such as the number of innocent children who contract disease or who are met with similar trials. Similarly, I feel like I could point out all of the good that has come about as a result of our progressive attitudes and scientific understanding of nature.
Lastly, I could easily point out how modern Christians cherry pick which rules and punishments they submit to; as an example, it would be difficult to find a Christian sect who felt that the inhabitants of the eastern coast of the US were courting disaster by eating shellfish or that anyone who dared wear clothing made of both cotton and polyester was guilty of anything other than commiting perhaps a fashion faux pas. Yet, somehow, many of these Christians feel it's only a matter of time before the 'debauched' Californians get swept out to sea or are met with the 'big one.'
Unfortunately, none of these appeals to the intellect and emotions of fundamentalist Christians would likely change their minds. Traditions and superstitions are extremely durable. To those who hold these superstitions, they must fight against the legalization of gay marriage so that their society might avert calamity and continue to be blessed. As strange as this seems to me and to other scientifically or liberally minded people, this is at the root of the Christian evangelical disdain for gay marriage - it comes down to a superstitious fear of punishment and the selfish desire for reward.
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