How are you going to say it’s not about his religion in one paragraph and then immediately blame the teachings of his religion for the hate that consumed him in the next. Many religions teach their followers that being a homosexual is a sin. Muslim’s preachers and followers seem to be particularly bad in this regard as evidenced by the laws in countries that are heavily secular Muslim. The shooter attended prayer sessions by an Iman that preached this hate here in this country. Shall we ban the first amendment. Should we ban religions that teach hate towards gays and women. Why should we allow people in this country that have likely been taught this hate towards gays or taught women should be treated as property. Are we naive enough to think we can change these people’s views on gays and women after decades of being taught something else.
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I don’t have a problem with the 1st Amendment. Muslims may be particularly bad when it comes to tolerance towards gays (and women). But they’re hardly alone. There were dozens of Christian preachers in this country that essentially applauded what happened. A county in Alabama refused to lower their flag because the victims were gay. That town is responsible for their hate.
But religion isn’t responsible for hate. Sure there’s influence. But unless you’re 12 years old or younger, you’re responsible for what you think. An adult who hates gays is responsible for hating gays. Not his religion. Not what his parents taught him. Not what some schmuck on TV says. Not what some political party tells him. There are dozens of religious organizations and thousands of clergy who are responsible for spreading hate. There is an entire political party that has spent decades spreading hate. If you want to stop hate, you have to stop supporting people who hate. Everyone who says “i’m socially liberal, but a fiscal conservative” and continues to support the republican party, they’re supporting hate. They’re voting for hate. It isn’t that complicated.
