Whatever privilege was once associated with married (and with children), that is not the case today. It is true that government and other institutions did foster a special place for the family but that was because it was understood that marriage and children were good for America. It was less attached to objective values than the desire to see people to take care of their spouses and families to produce children needed for the ever expanding economic need for workers. In any case, families were once considered better for society as a whole than singles. It was not a religious judgment but it was once a common conclusion and not without evidence. No more.
More than 3.8 million babies were born in the U.S. last year, but the birth rate drop was the largest one-year decline since 2010. The drop continues a decline but the consequences of the decline and how it has sped up recently remain to be seen. The impact of this will be felt on a whole variety of institutions and not simply the economy. A family living in a split level, with kids and pets behind a white picket fence with a station wagon in the driveway is more than nostalgia -- it is ancient history to most folks today. Just Google fertility rate and you will see articles in conservative journals and in the most liberal media as well.
So, if husbands, wives, and children are no longer a privileged class, is there another group that has taken up their role as a favored group? Gay, lesbian, and transgenders certainly seem to have become the privileged class in America today. No one would even think of trying to produce a successful movie or TV series without a significant gay, lesbian, or transgender character. All across the media spectrum, gay, lesbian, and transgender have become an essential ingredient in the ever sacred goal of diversity. Watch any gay pride parade and you will see homosexuality flaunted in all its most elaborate extremes and yet the class reserves its role as a protected group that should be immune from all criticism. Couple this with the fact that the numbers of exclusive homosexuals remains very small (3-4% at most with transgenders being a significantly smaller percentage in comparison to even this group) and you see what I mean.
So what does it all mean? I wish I knew. It is certainly true that gay, lesbian, and transgendered Americans have moved quickly from an oppressed super minority to a tolerated super minority to a favored class but still a super minority. At the same time, Christians have seen some of the teflon wear off and criticisms seem to stick more now than ever. Furthermore, there is more than a super minority of people ready to label Christian opposition to the gay, lesbian, and transgendered lifestyle hate speech not to be tolerated.
At any rate, I am getting a little tired of the old saw that gay, lesbian, and transgender suffer oppression. As I see it, nobody from the Christian side is saying anything about restraining the flamboyance of life and the provocative speech of this group but the GLBTQ side is very ready to muzzle Christians who refuse to celebrate the GLBTQ sexual identity. Such power can only be exercised by a group which has become a favored group and a privileged class.
4 comments:
yawn
Rev. Peters: "As I see it, nobody from the Christian side is saying anything about restraining the flamboyance of life and the provocative speech of this group"
Sadly, the flamboyance is being promoted, including at Missouri Synod universities. Soon—but not soon enough—retiring Concordia-St. Paul President Tom Ries has enthused over "Our New Diversity Plan," "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan (2018-2023)":
"I am excited to have this document in all of our hands as a living plan which, just like the strategic plan, will not “sit on the shelf” but will help us actualize our dreams of meeting the needs of the diverse populations"
The FULL VERSION of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan includes:
"It is our responsibility as a university of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, to create an institutional culture that respects, values, and celebrates diversity. As such, CSP celebrates and embraces the rich dimensions of diversity included within each member of the Concordia community. Diversity includes identities and experiences of all students; it is our goal to serve and support underrepresented individuals and groups such as, but not limited to: new immigrant populations, students of various gender identities and sexual orientations, first-generation students, socioeconomic status, people of different religious faiths, veterans, and students, staff, and faculty from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, races and cultures." [page 3]
"In short, our diversity itself is likely underrepresented herein." [page 3]
"Objective 1: Increase recruitment and retention of underrepresented faculty and staff at all levels of the university by 10 percent." [This includes the previously noted "of various gender identities and sexual orientations"] [page 5]
"a. Create a Prayer room accessible for different religious faiths.
b. Continue to consider and develop a plan for restroom accessibility and single stall restrooms." [page 5]
[Emphasis added]
More on this BJS blog.
Pastor Peters wrote:
"Furthermore, there is more than a super minority of people ready to label Christian opposition to the gay, lesbian, and transgendered lifestyle hate speech not to be tolerated."
I respond:
At what point will LCMS blog administrators everywhere understand that it is only a matter of time before their content will be banned from Facebook, Twitter, Apple, YouTube, and maybe even PayPal? Have they already researched alternative websites?
It is the decline of Western civilization. Europe, because of its low birth rates, is importing workers, many of whom are hostile to Christian and democratic values. The same could be said to a lesser extent in America. Laws and the enforcement of laws are less and less generated by Congress, but by special interests, district judges, and lawsuits.
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