Rainbows and Bigotry

I think we can all agree that refracted light has had a pretty big week.  From being splashed across profile pictures far and wide, to lighting up the White House, rainbows haven’t had this much free publicity since that double rainbow guy on YouTube. 

Based on social media, you’d think that America held an election and Gay Marriage won a popular vote – by a landslide.  But like all things on social media, appearances are deceiving.  And the afterglow of the gay marriage ruling is as fleeting as all the rainbow filtered profile pictures now being changed back to non-rainbow selfies.  I think this change in societal norms is important enough for open discussion without fear of being labeled a bigot.

“Bigot: A person who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions.”  I think it’s important to reference the definition of the word, because words and their definitions are becoming meaningless in America.  The word bigot is being used by people who fit the definition 100%, in order to label a large group of people who do not fit the definition at all.  

I have only noticed one group of people acting like bigots since the gay marriage ruling, and those people are pro-gay-marriage.  I’m not saying that everyone who is pro-gay-marriage is a bigot, but I’ve definitely noticed that a lot of them are.  Or at least the vocal ones are.  I have read so many hurtful, hateful, sarcastic, intolerant things said towards Christians and the general population of people who oppose gay marriage.  These hateful things aren’t being said to “gay-bashers” – they’re being said to people that have the “opinion” that marriage is between one man and one woman.  Most people with this “opinion” don’t hate gay people.  Yet there are pro-gay-marriage supporters wishing death to people who oppose their views.  Slightly bigoted maybe…?

People using hateful words towards traditional marriage supporters are ironically calling Christians bigots in the midst of their bigoted rants.  And it’s hard to take someone seriously when they tell Christians (and all opposed to gay marriage) to go kill themselves, and finish their rant with a phrase like, “Love wins.”

On the other hand, I haven’t heard or read one word of hatred or intolerance from people that are against gay marriage.  I’m sure it’s out there, but I haven’t personally come across it.  I have seen many blogs and articles from Christians or people opposing the gay marriage ruling on a Constitutional basis.  I haven’t read any hateful words.  I have read words of love and / or tolerance towards gay people, just not words of tolerance towards the redefining of marriage. 

It’s hard to keep up with words and their constantly changing definitions these days.  But based on these recent observations, a bigot is apparently someone that expresses love and / or tolerance towards a group of people but opposes their opinions.  And conversely, spewing hatred and anger towards someone who doesn’t share your opinion doesn’t make you a bigot.  Also – a rainbow filtered profile picture assures your non-bigot status, no matter what hateful words come out of your mouth (or your keyboard).