People need to read a dictionary

Hey everyone.  So it's been a bit since my last blog, but I saw something today that kind of made me shake my head.  At first I wasn't going to comment on it, but then I read some other people's comments and It's a little comical the level of ignorance of some people.  So let me tell you what I'm talking about.


This week, a pizzeria in Walkerton, Indiana closed it's doors due to backlash over comments the owner made regarding same-sex marriage.  Basically, the owner said they would not cater a same-sex marriage because they are a Christian establishment.  Phone calls and backlash over social media have caused the pizzeria to close until the backlash cools down.  Now, before we get into some of the things that have been said, let me first say that I am not defending nor condemning the actions of the shop in any way.  I am a heterosexual male and I am for same-sex relationships and marriages.  While there are some of you who may disagree with my opinion, remember it is MY OPINION.  I'm not saying I'm right and you're wrong.  You have the right to feel and believe whatever you wish.  I'm not going to try and sway you one way or another.  But as far as myself, I see nothing wrong with it.  Who am I to deny you what makes you happy, or WHO makes you happy?


The owner's father spoke to ABC and said, "That's a lifestyle that you choose.  I choose to be heterosexual, they choose to be homosexual.  Why should I be beat over the head because they choose that lifestyle?"  Now, there is something wrong with this statement.  Science tells us that genetics and the structure of the brain have something to do with determining whether a person is gay or straight.  So in that sense, no it is not a lifestyle choice.  A person can choose not to act upon their urges, but this is the same as an alcoholic choosing not to drink.  It doesn't mean they're not an alcoholic.  But they are making a choice.  The part I do agree with in the statement is, why should anyone be beat over the head because our choices are different than another's?  We see this type of uproar more often where some establishment refuses to serve gay customers and the public reacts this way.  Remember Chick-fil-A?  But flip the roles, what if an establishment owned by a gay individual or a gay couple refused to serve heterosexual customers.  Would the public outcry be the same?


Now, here's where we're going to get into some of the comments made.  The owner has said the business is not discriminating against anybody, but she and her family have their beliefs and other people are entitled to their own.  Some people who have to come to their defense say it is not discrimination because homosexuality is not a race.  I'll give you a minute to contemplate that last one there and hopefully your head didn't explode.  At what point did discrimination become solely a race issue?  Did I miss that memo?  Now, this particular individual goes on to say that homosexuality is immoral and against the word of God.  I have no hatred towards Christians for the most part, but statements like this really suggest these people are intellectually at the bottom of the curve.  As a business owner you do have the right to refuse service, but don't try to say this isn't discrimination.  The definition of discrimination is "treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit".  So to refuse to serve someone because they are gay is textbook discrimination.  Your religious belief does not justify that.  So please, stop trying to use Christianity like it's some sort of fiery shield to hide behind while also rationalizing your personal bigotry.


So, there you go folks.  Let me clarify for any of you who may think this is some veiled manifesto, this is not a pro-gay/anti-gay message.  This is not a way for me to bash on Christianity.  This is merely a report of something that happened this week and my own commentary, MY OPINION, on these facts.  If you agree with me or disagree with me, great.  Leave a comment telling me why.  Dialogue is a great thing.  If what I've said pissed you off, maybe you shouldn't take yourself so seriously.  But if it made you think, if some of my commentary made you laugh a little bit, whether inside or out loud, then really that was the whole point.  Yes I'm going to have my own opinions, and yes I hope I do get to comment on more serious or controversial topics, but my goal is to entertain you.  So I hope you enjoyed the read.  Until next time.