Monday, February 17, 2014

Quote of the Day: Anne Rice on Christian Bigots

Time and time again we see anti-gay hate and bigotry spewed by far right Christians who try to justify their horrible conduct under the smoke screen of "sincerely held religious belief."   It is little different than the hate and bigotry demonstrated by white Southerners in the past - and in some circles today - who used the Bible to justify behavior that ought to be unconscionable among decent people.  Yesterday, on her Facebook page author Anne Rice congratulated actress Ellen Page for her courage in coming out as gay.  Not surprisingly, the "godly folk" left their trademark hateful comments in response.  Rice did not countenance the batshitery and let loose stating in part as follows:
Our post commending actress Ellen Page for her courage in coming out as gay attracted a lot of hostility and hate and hate speech --- as well as positive and substantive comments. I have banned many from the page today. I will no longer tolerate hate speech in the guise of Christian belief with the usual irresponsible pick and choose bible quotes and talk of "sin" and hellfire. I have had enough of it, and I think the world has had enough of it too. 

Again, I commend Ellen Page for her bravery in coming out. I hope more celebrities and public figures will be inspired to do so. Anyone who thinks this does not matter is deceiving himself or herself. It matters very much. Gay people in all walks of life suffer from bigotry, bias, superstition, and ignorance. Hats off to Ellen Page! (And please do NOT come here to tell us publicly that you “don’t care.” If you don’t care, don’t expect us to care that you don’t care!).
I agree with Rice.  I will no longer give hate-filled bigots a pass simply because they try to hide their foul hate and bigotry under the guise of religious belief.  These people are toxic not to mention utter hypocrites.

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