As to “the right wing”, just like we’re always going to be here standing strong in what we believe, so will they. The beauty of a democracy is we each have the freedom to make our voice heard and invest ourselves and our resources behind our convictions. I hope you can find a way to take the cynicism that you’re understandably feeling and let it be a fire to energize you to continue to work, give, and speak on behalf of justice and truth. There are many battles between here and full equality for all people, but that day will come. Hold on Girlfriend!

WHo do we vote for now? Soulforce has been trying so hard for inclusiveness, and it seems the U.S. right wing will always come up with this negative attack. What can we do once and for all to stop them —- in their tracks. If this is not hate crimes against humanity, I don’t know what is.

By putting the presidential hopefulls in this prediciment in front of the T.V. audiences, does this not discust you?

We have fought long and hard here in Canada for equal marriage, and for the right to be married in our churches of choice, and yet this right wing still exists here.

The Knights of Columbus had the gaul to send monies here to try and stop the legal process from going forward. When will this stop? The call themselves Christians.
I have grown very cynical lately, about these so called Christians. I thank God every day for our many blessings, and for the honor to be living in Canada.

Sincerely, Winnie

Esther –> The “Christian” gay thing is a hard one, as is all the current conversation around same-sex “marriage.” I think keeping aware of how those little “”‘s affect me keeps me aware of the times I use them and how I use them. What impact are my “”‘s having on others? I think that’s the thing for me; not that I’ll discontinue using them altogether but I need to use them with awareness and caution.

Hill–>I must do air quotes at least once a day though I admit I seldom put them around swear words like I did when I was a kid. Now I have to take full ownership for those little gems that slip over my lips.

Christian–>Loved the story of your dad! After watching a few seasons of Anthony Bourdain it would seem that cooking is impossible without the grand daddy of the swear words. I wonder if my risotto would turn out a little creamier if I added a few. Stir – swear – stir- swear… And I’m with you. I use “”‘s the beauties all the time but I guess the main thing I feel compelled to look at is what’s my attitude behind them each time I hit that key twice. How much sarcasm or judgment is hiding behind them toward those who have some identity or value in the word or phrase? I don’t know. I just feel like I need to keep checking in with it all.

Your post sparked off a couple of things for me;

My parents never cussed either. But I remember the day, when I was around 17, and while overhauling an engine together, the bolt my father was working on slipped and he ripped open four of his knuckles. “Fuddrucker!” he shouted (or something real close to that). I was shocked and then secretly pleased, He had been ripping apart his hands and banging on his thumbs ever since I could remember (how he practiced surgery is beyond me) and he never had said anything remotely like that. This time he must have felt he was in the presence of a “man” (see the quotes?) who could take it. Ever since then he has sounded like Darrin McGavin in the “Christmas Story” (more quotes!)

I used to fling the F-Word around like carbon dioxide (hey, I was a cook!). When I became “born-again” (yikes! more quotes) I stopped cussing overnight. Since then I have drifted away from fundamentalism (OK,maybe not drifted. I ran.) and have re-discovered the joy of the swear word. I don’t think God will smite me or send me to hell for it. But the downside to this is that now, when I have the occasional opportunity to smack my thumb with a hammer, the F-Word is somehow…impotent.

And please don’t toss my beloved ” and ” to the garbage bin just yet. I couldn’t express myself without them.

I never realized the power of the “quotes” but I use them all of the time. Sometimes I am just being funny or ironic, but I also realized I use them in a negative way too. Thanks for this post.

And yes, we use them too, on things like “ex-gay.” At the same time, I was so hurt several years ago when someone on a Christian discussion forum told me I couldn’t possibly be a “Christian lesbian,” that there was no such thing. I don’t know the answer to this one. More listening to others and less dogma about our own views, I guess.

Me too and yes, there’s got to be a way.

Hey, did I miss something? What happen to the “Jesus’ Ethic of Love Part 1″ post?