The Rhetoric of Death from the Pro-Life Movement

I got sick out of the blue, so I haven't had an opportunity to comment the last couple of days. But I didn't want to leave what has been a respectful discussion, so let me say a couple of more things as my last words, and thanks for the dialogue.

@Adrenalin Tim:
I think that my position reflects well over 90% of the pro-life movement, so the fact that you haven't many of these kinds of discussions before suggests to me that the sides really aren't communicating at all. The widespread distrust on both sides appears to be interfering with mainstream conversation, so it's defined by a clash between the extremes. That's a shame. I wish more people could talk like this.

I agree that there will likely be John Browns when confronted with any serious evil, those who feel compelled to do something, even a wrong thing, to opposite it. But I'm sure you would also understand that most pro-lifers would say that the fact that this reaction happens reflects the enormity of the crime. Yes, from our view, people tend to overreact, sometimes in brutal ways, when very bad things are happening. But to join in a conspiracy of silence to avoid that consequence would clearly be a more serious violation of conscience. We don't have an option to whitewash the situation if it is as we believe it to be; there is no way to soft-pedal it.

@Panthera:
I'm not sure if you live in the South, but I'm a Louisiana native and a Texan, and I think you are far too optimistic in terms of the Inland South and even much beyond that being open to gay marriage. Unless forced to comply by the U.S. Supreme Court, which is a highly dubious prospect in the next quarter-century even on the most favorable jurisprudential possibilities, I strongly suspect that I will draw my last breath long before most Southern states recognize gay marriage. Realistically, there's nothing like the political will it would take to do that, and the resistance is not going to be overcome by force.

In that kind of environment, I think the "human rights" approach to marriage will only build hostility that is already going to prove intractable. Quite honestly, that threat is what causes ignorant rednecks to resort to violence. Instead, the compromise I was proposing was to focus on what should be right of any autonomous human beings, regardless of their ability to biologically reproduce. That approach would prevent marriages being given benefits that really should be given even-handedly to all. Arguing marriage as a "human right" is always going to appear dubious for all sorts of reasons, not the least of which is that the purpose has never been to allow any sorts of person to enter "committed relationships." But if you focus on the number of things that have been tied to marriage that don't have a thing to do with biological reproduction, then you have an argument that even opponents of gay marriage can't responsibly oppose, and it doesn't trigger that animalistic threat response that drives savage people to violence.

Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe the South will be strong-armed into compliance. But I really don't see the political will within the United States for that to happen, and if it doesn't, then I think both sides need to work to find a way to operate in the resulting climate in a way that doesn't incite hatred.

Thanks for the discussion, guys.

JP,
I do hope you are feeling better. The stress of these last days clearly is no help.

Sorry 'bout the last post, this interface is awful.

My time is split between Europe and the Deep South. This is why I am very strongly opposed to the "well, just go to a lawyer and draw up papers" solution many conservative Christians recommend - in an emergency, it doesn't work. Twice now, it hasn't worked.

So, yes, I quite agree with you - a large part of Appalachia and the South will never, ever, under any circumstances treat us as anything but sub-human.

Stipulated.

This minority, however, can not - as so many conservative Christians here so helpfully point out - be the basis for making laws. When I say minority, I mean minority. The conservative Christians here completely overlook that even today - June 2009, over 30% of the American population already lives in states (and, until congress overrules it, if they, indeed do) Washington DC where gays are accorded fully human status.

What will happen is what is already happening - Rod Dreher, who encourages and coddles racists on his site - has already commented on the impending death of many small town and rural areas, especially in the South. His analysis is, predictably, is that all those young folks prefer the sinful delights of the big city to sittin' aroun' on the veranda of a night now that the darkies no longer sing in the fields.

More to the point, every single gay and transgender who can, leaves. Look at me - graduated summa cum laude. Best in my class in student teaching. Certified to teach four languages and the natural sciences and math. Not welcome in my parents' district because I'm gay. Here in Europe, they took me with open arms. Not to brag, but my students have done best in the national exams for the last 14 years. In my whole country.

But hey - you have to set priorities.

This is what will happen. Obama will see that those paragraphs of DOMA which prevent federally recognized civil unions are repealed. Gays will be permitted civil unions which are recognized in all 50 states and territories. America will finally honor her commitments and resume reciprocal recognition of all marriges - something the US stopped doing and which has not sat well with the rest of the civilized world.

Fools in Kansas and the Deep South will kill a few of us. More of us will leave. Ultimately, the rest of the US will accept us and life will go on just as it has in the other 17 Western countries in which we are accorded full human status. Appalachia and the South will continue to be marginalized, with certain metropolitan areas standing out.

There will be the usual screams of secession and howls and nothing, ultimately will come of it for the simple reason that the South can not survive without the north. The only state which the other 49 would gladly see go and which could survive, won't. Unfortunately.

The elections following on to the repeal of DOMA and the granting of human status to us will see the congressional leaders who support us rewarded or ignored. Since the only folks left in opposition are basically all from Appalachia and the South, it won't matter one whit.

My mother marched in Atlanta for Negro rights way back when. I can remember my father's fury and his nearly moving the family back home he was so afraid for her. I'm old enough and know the South well enough to know it's hopeless here. But who cares? The South no longer matters.