The changing face of diversity. . .

Unlike the civil rights movement of the 20th century, the movement toward full approval and integration of gays and lesbians involves a very small percentage of the American population.  Unlike the civil rights movement of the 20th century, gays and lesbians are more highly educated, earn more, have full access to political structures, and unfettered access and influence to the media (in all forms).  Unlike the civil rights movement of the 20th century, the requests of gays and lesbians is not for tolerance and equality before the law but for approval from every corner of the American experience.  I believe that it is entirely unfair to equate the movement from the institutional sub-humanity of Black Americans to equal protection and access before the Law with the movement to accept gay and lesbian marriage.

The changing face of diversity in America means that there is no more tolerance.  The new America has become an increasingly intolerant public square that now threatens to enforce its political correctness upon religious speech and private speech in a way that should shock and offend us.  But it does not seem to arouse much anger or upset.  The issue here is not whether a Duck Dynasty character should lose his job for his views but the very labeling of his opinion as hate speech and the insistence that this kind of talk is not to be allowed in America today. 

In but a few years, what is barely different from the position of Pres. Obama prior to a few years ago has suddenly become the words that cannot be tolerated.  In other words, the people who claim that they had to be closeted or lose reputation or job are now claiming that anyone who refuses to approve (note the word approve not tolerate) of them and their lifestyle must be closeted from public speech and punished for their views.  Nearly the whole of America would have unhesitatingly approved what the Duck Dynasty patriarch said thirty years ago, a vast majority fifteen years ago, but today it is impossible to disagree with the politically correct line and not be labeled a bigot, hate monger, and silenced.

Frankly, I really do not care if he keeps or loses his job with A&E.  He does not speak for me, for the Church, or for Christians but I am very concerned that the position of Christians will soon become untenable in the public square, effectively silencing the moral voice of the church and her members UNLESS they approve wholeheartedly with the GLBT position on just about anything.  As far as I know GLBT folks are not at all threatened by those who disapprove of homosexuality.  The GLBT advocacy has full and unfettered access to politicians, the media, money, and prominent people to make their point.  And their points seems to be silencing anyone and everyone who disagrees with them for whatever reason.  Diversity is an illusion in America if disagreement is not tolerated.  When this intolerance impinges upon religious freedom (like this instance), we will find ourselves in a first rate constitutional crisis.  In the end, it will be about far more than a trendy program on a small TV network but about the ability of people of faith to speak faithfully.