Reply #24: That's a great story. But it's kind of different.

[crispini]

I was a Peace Corps volunteer, okay, so I know all about building bridges, and the power of very small things to make big changes in people's lives. What I'm saying is, that when somebody bases their opposition to gay civil rights on the Bible, they always have an easy answer for disrespecting gay people, no matter how much outreach you do, or how much cognitive dissonance you may cause in them. (Edited to add-- they don't even see it as "disrespect!")

In fact, I bet Rick Warren would be happy to meet and befriend gay people -- his church has an AIDS outreach ministry, doesn't it? But, no matter how much it would hurt those same gay friends of his, he would keep right on saying things like, "My Bible teaches me to hate the sin, but love the sinner," and stuff like, "You have a heavy cross to bear, being gay, and I will pray with you that Jesus helps you carry it," and so on. And when pointed out exactly how much pain his attitude causes, he would say, "I know it does, but the Lord teaches me that we must be strong in our righteousness and cleave to the narrow way. And I must speak the truth -- the Bible teaches me so, even if the Lord is a harsh master."

I know these folks, ok? They may be very, very nice, but they're not changing just because they sit down and have a cup of tea with you.