There are good people, who can disagree without being disagreeable.
I used several pre-Christian definitions of marriage directly from the sources. I used Confucius, Alexander the Great, Aristotle and Pocahontas specifically. I also used some general examples of how marriage has been defined. Of course, the deceitful pulled one sentence out of context and blasted that across the country.
So it seemed that the best way to shut down honest debate is to lie about your opponent. Many people reacted the way the deceitful wanted and expressed their opinion that I should make love to myself.
Despite these expressions of love, I had three excellent conversations:
1. A PhD via email - once he saw what I had actually written and not just the distorted propaganda, we could then have an honest debate. We were both respectful even while disagreeing. While we continue to disagree on the issue of marriage we found common ground on broad issues. He had a positive effect on me.
2. A grandmotherly woman – she was by far the most kind and gentle person I have encountered in this debate. She asked me to think about some very specific things, which I did. This woman still has my head spinning. While I still believe marriage is between one man and one woman, I felt great love from her and I wish to express that love in return.
3. A businessman – We had a long and wonderful conversation last night. I could tell when I answered the phone that he was scared. He stayed strong, even facing what I am sure he thought was his mortal enemy, and politely told me his story, which was very compelling.
Amor vincit omnia – Love conquers all. The loving manner expressed by these three people moved me.
I hope that everyone who enters the debate, on either side, uses the example of these three fine people.
Let us continue the discussion, honestly and politely.
I used several pre-Christian definitions of marriage directly from the sources. I used Confucius, Alexander the Great, Aristotle and Pocahontas specifically. I also used some general examples of how marriage has been defined. Of course, the deceitful pulled one sentence out of context and blasted that across the country.
So it seemed that the best way to shut down honest debate is to lie about your opponent. Many people reacted the way the deceitful wanted and expressed their opinion that I should make love to myself.
Despite these expressions of love, I had three excellent conversations:
1. A PhD via email - once he saw what I had actually written and not just the distorted propaganda, we could then have an honest debate. We were both respectful even while disagreeing. While we continue to disagree on the issue of marriage we found common ground on broad issues. He had a positive effect on me.
2. A grandmotherly woman – she was by far the most kind and gentle person I have encountered in this debate. She asked me to think about some very specific things, which I did. This woman still has my head spinning. While I still believe marriage is between one man and one woman, I felt great love from her and I wish to express that love in return.
3. A businessman – We had a long and wonderful conversation last night. I could tell when I answered the phone that he was scared. He stayed strong, even facing what I am sure he thought was his mortal enemy, and politely told me his story, which was very compelling.
Amor vincit omnia – Love conquers all. The loving manner expressed by these three people moved me.
I hope that everyone who enters the debate, on either side, uses the example of these three fine people.
Let us continue the discussion, honestly and politely.
