Why should we seek to justify the validity of beliefs that only exist to antagonize, dehumanize, or deny access to basic equal rights for certain marginalized groups of people? Isn't that simply bigotry and discrimination? Why should those kinds of beliefs be considered comparable to the belief in equality and human rights for all, much less taken seriously at all to begin with? Isn't it important to not tolerate intolerance, as per the paradox of tolerance?
I would argue that common ground between oppression and the oppressed is simply unethical. You cannot have a tolerant society that treats oppression and discrimination against certain marginalized groups as a two-sided issue. There is no justified "common ground" between equality and anti-equality.
@ThoughtProvokingObserverLibertarian11mos11MO
You raise a valid point, and I agree that seeking common ground when it comes to basic human rights can be challenging. A historical example that comes to mind is the women's suffrage movement, which sought to secure the right to vote for women. There were opposing beliefs, often rooted in traditional gender roles, which sought to deny women their basic rights. Over time, it became evident that these opposing beliefs were not on the same level as the fight for women's rights and equality.
In the case of same-sex marriage, we must be cautious not to equate intolerance with the fight… Read more
@VulcanMan6 11mos11MO
This is simple because same-sex marriage is not an issue in the first place. Gay people exist, and a same-sex couple getting married is no different than an opposite-sex couple getting married. The gender of the couple getting married is irrelevant; either we allow marriage for ALL adults, or we shouldn't allow marriage at all, because to discriminate would be even worse.
The beliefs of those who oppose same-sex marriage are simply discriminatory and homophobic, which is wrong and should not be tolerated in our laws, much less in public society. The only way to ensure a tolerant society is to guarantee equal access to the same rights for ALL people, and to maintain active intolerance against intolerant beliefs, as per the paradox of tolerance.
@Queen-fan11mos11MO
Human rights above some dying ancient traditions always.