Oh PUH-leeze. Can you at least show a little gratitude that people who don't share your world view are at least willing to 'tolerate' conduct which only a few years ago was uniformly viewed as criminal behavior? Have you no sense of historical perspective at all? Most of the world still criminalizes homosexual conduct. Just be glad that Gov. Palin is willing to tolerate it. And try for once to not be so full of yourself.

dajhilton:

Oh PUH-leeze. Can you at least show a little gratitude that people who don't share your world view are at least willing to 'tolerate' conduct which only a few years ago was uniformly viewed as criminal behavior? Have you no sense of historical perspective at all? Most of the world still criminalizes homosexual conduct. Just be glad that Gov. Palin is willing to tolerate it. And try for once to not be so full of yourself.

Yes, most of the world still criminalizes it...lovely places like Iran. Aren't you glad the US as a nation is becoming less and less like Iran?

But seriously, I'm not going to show "gratitude" that one group of people "tolerates" another. That's asinine and arrogant. I would never presume to expect my Christian friends to be "grateful" for the fact that I refrain from openly slamming their beliefs. Please. If I honestly expected "gratitude" for that from my friends, I would not be surprised if they took it upon themselves to leave trademarks around my eyes.

I suggest you re-read your last sentence and then think as to whether or not it cannot also be applied to the end of the political spectrum you call home.

I expect you don't openly slam your Christian friends beliefs because you want to keep their friendship. That's not tolerance, that's tact.

Ripley:

I expect you don't openly slam your Christian friends beliefs because you want to keep their friendship. That's not tolerance, that's tact.

It's "tolerance." If I seriously couldn't "tolerate" their beliefs, I wouldn't associate with them...but it would be a rather dick move of me to expect them to be "grateful" that I tolerate their beliefs.

First of all, I'd like to say that I don't hate Christians. One of my best friends is a Christian. I just don't approve of their lifestyle choice and don't think they should demand that everyone 'accept' or approve of that choice.

I don't care if my friends or neighbors are practicing Christianity, but I don't think they should flaunt it in public. It's OK if they want to worship in the privacy of their homes and churches, but I don't want them to shove it in my face or expose my children to it.

I also think that many of them would like to recruit children into practicing their lifestyle and would not be comfortable entrusting my children to schools with openly Christian teachers.

LMoE

I think you were being satirical but if you have read the XXfactor on the subject of Christianity I would say that the truth is not that far off. Christmas trees in public places? What an abomination. I would be happy for a little tolerance with regard to Christian views and lifestyles, considering they are the bedrock of our society and create the stable platform that allows others to let their freak flag fly. Christians take all the crap and turn the other cheek, obey the laws, and give unto Ceasar (pay taxes) yet are the butt of more SNL jokes than Palin or Osama Bin Laden even. Grow up and face it, if you choose to live a lifestyle outside the norm of behavior, whether you are gay, have 4 wives, are a starving artist, pig farmer, oil exec., you may be the target of some derision. Be very happy if someone tries to understand your perspective and tolerate your choices. It shows you are a mature participant in the real world.

SPADO:

I think you were being satirical but if you have read the XXfactor on the subject of Christianity I would say that the truth is not that far off. Christmas trees in public places? What an abomination. I would be happy for a little tolerance with regard to Christian views and lifestyles, considering they are the bedrock of our society and create the stable platform that allows others to let their freak flag fly. Christians take all the crap and turn the other cheek, obey the laws, and give unto Ceasar (pay taxes) yet are the butt of more SNL jokes than Palin or Osama Bin Laden even. Grow up and face it, if you choose to live a lifestyle outside the norm of behavior, whether you are gay, have 4 wives, are a starving artist, pig farmer, oil exec., you may be the target of some derision. Be very happy if someone tries to understand your perspective and tolerate your choices. It shows you are a mature participant in the real world.

Don't get me wrong, I'm right there with you when it comes to folks complaining about Christmas trees in public places. People need to stop whining and accept the fact that when 80% or so of folks you live with believe in something, it's time to shrug and cut them some slack every now and again. If it's not harming you, is it really worth it to create a hassle?

By the same token, stop bellyaching whenever someone whines about a Christmas tree. Yes, it IS silly...but you're not "oppressed." You're not "persecuted." You're not "victims." Christians (many of which are wonderful folks) more or less own everything and run everything. Stop pretending that you're "downtrodden" because some rube wants to yoink "God" out of the pledge. Now, if someone is forcing you to into labor camps because of your beliefs, let me know and I'll gladly defend you...but it's hard to believe that 80% or so of the population is really that butthurt over a few SNL skits.

Brilliant!