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This is what people mean when they say it’s going to get worse before it gets better***

Published July 30th, 2008 in APB, Go hetero ally go!.

 

An out-of-work truck driver accused of opening fire at a Unitarian church, killing two people, left behind a note suggesting that he targeted the congregation out of hatred for its liberal policies, including its acceptance of gays, authorities said Monday. (AP)

Tennessee gunman targets church over its stance on gay rights (Times UK)

Breaking: Shooting in Tennessee — Knoxville church had just put up gay-affirming sign (Pam’s House Blend)

Found in Adkisson’s Home… the Big Three Conservatives (Pam’s House Blend)

Unitarians oppose anti-gay marriage ballot measures (The Pew Forum Religion News)

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Responds to Shooting at Tennesee Church (NGLTF)

Deepest compassion to all in the UU congregation in Tennessee, and particularly to the families of the victims.

Seems like every day, the choice just gets clearer and clearer: we’re saved by love, or we’re cooked by hate.  This is the time for everyone who believes in love to take a stand.  

When?  That would be now.  Right now.

Where?  Arizona, California, and Florida this fall, to start.

How? Support the opposition to those anti-gay (marriage) ballot measures in every way you can, speak out to friends.  Most especially if you are a heterosexual ally.  It is going to be with your love and commitment to justice that we all get through this.

*[Later note]  Dana actually reflects on the incident and the issues underneath it here at Mombian: Finding Hope in Tennessee Tragedy. For which I’m grateful.  Since sometimes I rummage around in my pockets and I can’t locate that hope anywhere.  And I know it’s in there somewhere.  I’m sure of it.

**[Still later note] And more from Sara at Suburban Lesbian Mom  (cross-posted at Huffington Post).

**[Still later note] And these pieces at Alas, A Blog: this from Monday, Guns, Killing, and People, which reads the tragedy in light of Unitarian Universalist belief, and this one yesterday, Tennessee Shooting LInk Farm, which cites some thoughtful reflections and analysis.

7 Responses to “This is what people mean when they say it’s going to get worse before it gets better***”

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  1. 1 immoralmatriarch Jul 30th, 2008 at

    There isn’t even much to say. That’s awful.

  2. 2 Lesbian Dad Jul 30th, 2008 at

    Yeah, and I don’t think he sprouted this idea randomly. Spoon-fed hate from talk radio; watching his president codify the second-class citizen status of gay people. Listening to church after church forget the actual core of the teachings of its founders.

    M.L. King did a lot of good work in that state (died in that state doing that good work). Love love love must win out.

  3. 3 Mid Life Clarity Jul 30th, 2008 at

    It is sad — shock jocks and hate speech. And too a poor economy creates room for the shock jocks to rise…the downtrodden look for someone to blame. Blame immigrants, blame people of color, blame gays.

    It’s the same economic situation Germany was in before Hitler rose to power.

    Still I too believe love wins…and…that an improved economy would help that happen.

    -janet

  4. 4 wyliekat Jul 30th, 2008 at

    For my own sanity, I have to believe that hate just needs a target. If I were to accept that there really are people out there that hate gay people this much (or people of colour, or anyone really), I’m not sure I could live in this world.

  5. 5 AshleyRose Jul 30th, 2008 at

    When I hear things such as this the only thing I can hope for is that the next generation is growing up without prejudice and hatred. It is difficult for me to fathom where something like this comes from; how does a person get to the point where they think it is a good idea to walk into a children’s church production and open fire? I like to think my generation is better than the one before but I know hatred still exists and that makes me angry. As Mombian says, you cannot fight their hatred with more hate.

  6. 6 Caroline Aug 1st, 2008 at

    “Seems like every day, the choice just gets clearer and clearer: we’re saved by love, or we’re cooked by hate. This is the time for everyone who believes in love to take a stand.”

    I could not agree MORE. So so well said. It just can’t be ok to hate anymore. Because it has been. It can’t be left alone as the norm and justified by religion or government or what have you. Because then Kooky guys like this one feel its their duty to do insane acts like this when the message is out there it is ok to hate. I am waving my flags and doing what I can down here in FL. My car has a million stickers slapped on its bumper (incl. “Hatred is not a family value”) and could care less if its ever keyed (97 saturn, rock on). My husband just put his own HRC sticker on his car. We rival the “W” mini-vans with pride, gunning our engines at each other at stoplights, daring them tell us why we’re wrong. I know, who cares about bumper stickers, but again I am SO done with hate. In MA. - where we lived before - my ideas were a dime a dozen. NOT DOWN HERE. And, frankly, I am proud to say “I don’t hate” whenever I possibly can. Seems like stating the obvious a bit, but then stuff like this happens. Enough already. And enough from me! :)

  7. 7 Lesbian Dad Aug 1st, 2008 at

    Amen, sister. Amen!

    The tide is ready to turn. Overdue ready.

    Love feels a hell of a lot better, anyway.

    And those bumper stickers (especially when they’re in the minority!) help others who feel the way you do know they have company. Any and everything to get all of us over the hump.

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