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I
have always found it interesting how people come to their opinions about
things. They don't seem to develop opinions; they just seem to have them.
Being very out as a transgender person I find myself from time to time
confronted by the religious right. Some, like Robert Knight, will email me
a statement supported by something he has read somewhere, sometimes out of
context and sometimes not. Other times they infiltrate my Yahoo group and
pose as transgender girls and then post their party line. The funny thing
is that had they simply said who they were I would have allowed them into
the group anyway (if they wanted to have an honest discussion on the
issues.)
"James," one of the posers in my club a month ago rattled off
5-10 posts a day. The group got a little angry but I let him have his say.
After all, I can't say one thing and then do another. So, I
allowed him to post away and everyone else to respond. In time it was
starting to wear thin however, because "James" never responded;
he just preached. After I put him on moderated status (meaning his posts
wouldn't go to the group until I approved them) he went ballistic, calling
me a bitch etc. We had a few private emails back and forth and suddenly
the man who was posting 5-10 times a day went silent. It seems he needed
an audience in the belief that he was actually swaying minds without any
supporting evidence of his statements.
But statements in the absence of the dialogue to support those statements
is just arrogant and ignorant. Arrogant because they assume they are
right, and ignorant because the statements they put forth aren't even their
own, and moreover, many of the statements they make are flat out wrong.
This supports my theory that these guys have never really researched the
topic that they are preaching about.
It isn't his opinions that bother me, although in most cases I disagree
with them, but rather the unwillingness of these guys to engage in real
dialogue about them. They seem to have lots of statements to make, but
dodge any questions put to them or discuss any evidence that may dispute
their position.
They tend to be sort of like hit-n-run drivers that are here one minute to
make an impact and then gone as soon as it is time to face up to their actions. I can't
help wonder what they are afraid of.
As
always, be happy, be safe, and think pretty.
Brianna Austin
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2006 - Brianna Austin - All Rights reserved |
Preaching With Ears Closed