Comments on: Standing on the Side of Love with a Broken Heart http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/blog/standing-on-the-side-of-love-with-a-broken-heart/ Stories of Harnessing Love's Power to Stop Oppression Sun, 07 Mar 2010 22:31:34 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Sean Fischer http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/blog/standing-on-the-side-of-love-with-a-broken-heart/comment-page-1/#comment-355 Sean Fischer Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:50:32 +0000 http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/?p=1854#comment-355 "Andrew Fink says: As much as we dislike the result, we should respect that it is a product of the democratic process we commit to. The democratic process includes results we disagree with." Hi Andrew, Under most circumstances, I would agree with you. A "majority wins" approach, on the whole, promotes freedom. However, the democratic process is inappropriate when it is used to restrict the freedoms of a specific group of people. Think of it this way- would you support putting the freedoms of ethnic and racial minorities up to a popular vote? Would you be comfortable with putting the rights of women up to a popular vote? Hypothetically, what if the majority voted in favor of oppressing those groups or others? Our 5th principle is meant to promote freedom, not restrict it. Taking away the rights of a specific group of people (including through a popular vote) solely based on their identity runs counter to our 1st, 2nd, and 6th principles. At its heart, our faith seeks justice and freedom for everyone. Putting the rights of minorities, including LGBT people, up to a popular vote is always wrong. “Andrew Fink says: As much as we dislike the result, we should respect that it is a product of the democratic process we commit to. The democratic process includes results we disagree with.”

Hi Andrew,

Under most circumstances, I would agree with you. A “majority wins” approach, on the whole, promotes freedom. However, the democratic process is inappropriate when it is used to restrict the freedoms of a specific group of people. Think of it this way- would you support putting the freedoms of ethnic and racial minorities up to a popular vote? Would you be comfortable with putting the rights of women up to a popular vote? Hypothetically, what if the majority voted in favor of oppressing those groups or others? Our 5th principle is meant to promote freedom, not restrict it.

Taking away the rights of a specific group of people (including through a popular vote) solely based on their identity runs counter to our 1st, 2nd, and 6th principles. At its heart, our faith seeks justice and freedom for everyone. Putting the rights of minorities, including LGBT people, up to a popular vote is always wrong.

]]> By: Don Southworth http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/blog/standing-on-the-side-of-love-with-a-broken-heart/comment-page-1/#comment-354 Don Southworth Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:22:42 +0000 http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/?p=1854#comment-354 Meg, Thanks as always, for your words and for your leadership. Meg, Thanks as always, for your words and for your leadership.

]]> By: Claire Deroche http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/blog/standing-on-the-side-of-love-with-a-broken-heart/comment-page-1/#comment-352 Claire Deroche Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:02:43 +0000 http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/?p=1854#comment-352 Thanks, Meg, for your wise words. I do believe that it is the next generation who will right this injustice---if we of this generation keep building the foundation! Thanks, Meg, for your wise words. I do believe that it is the next generation who will right this injustice—if we of this generation keep building the foundation!

]]> By: Andrew Fink http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/blog/standing-on-the-side-of-love-with-a-broken-heart/comment-page-1/#comment-351 Andrew Fink Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:25:37 +0000 http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/?p=1854#comment-351 Our fifth principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and society at large. As much as we dislike the result, we should respect that it is a product of the democratic process we commit to. The democratic process includes results we disagree with. Our fifth principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and society at large.

As much as we dislike the result, we should respect that it is a product of the democratic process we commit to.

The democratic process includes results we disagree with.

]]> By: Rev. Debra Haffner http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/blog/standing-on-the-side-of-love-with-a-broken-heart/comment-page-1/#comment-349 Rev. Debra Haffner Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:11:57 +0000 http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/?p=1854#comment-349 It is morally unjust that the private moral decisions of women and same sex couples should be subject to majority votes or political trading. See my blog today at www.religiousinstitute.org It is morally unjust that the private moral decisions of women and same sex couples should be subject to majority votes or political trading. See my blog today at http://www.religiousinstitute.org

]]> By: Lynne Marie Wanamaker http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/blog/standing-on-the-side-of-love-with-a-broken-heart/comment-page-1/#comment-343 Lynne Marie Wanamaker Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:30:37 +0000 http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/?p=1854#comment-343 I am proud to be a Unitarian Universalist. My faith tradition buoys me in such dark times. I had the priviledge of preaching on the topic of love, including my reflections on gay marriage, at my UU house of worship in June. There's a link to that sermon here: http://www.mindbodymama.com/2009/11/mind-body-mama-never-give-up.html I blogged about my personal reflections on our defeat in Maine here: http://www.mindbodymama.com/2009/11/mind-body-mama-more-on-maine.html I am proud to be a Unitarian Universalist. My faith tradition buoys me in such dark times.

I had the priviledge of preaching on the topic of love, including my reflections on gay marriage, at my UU house of worship in June. There’s a link to that sermon here:
http://www.mindbodymama.com/2009/11/mind-body-mama-never-give-up.html

I blogged about my personal reflections on our defeat in Maine here:
http://www.mindbodymama.com/2009/11/mind-body-mama-more-on-maine.html

]]> By: beth graham http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/blog/standing-on-the-side-of-love-with-a-broken-heart/comment-page-1/#comment-342 beth graham Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:39:45 +0000 http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/?p=1854#comment-342 As is so often the case, Meg, your words are both eloquent and so darn down-to-earth. Thanks for speaking the words so many of us have been feeling oday. Beth As is so often the case, Meg, your words are both eloquent and so darn down-to-earth.

Thanks for speaking the words so many of us have been feeling oday.

Beth

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