Friday, February 08, 2019

For Christ’s Sake



I suspect I’m in the minority on this — and believe me when I say no one is more anti-religion than I am — but Ellen Page’s attack on Chris Pratt sure strikes me as gratuitous. Whether people care to acknowledge it or not, nearly all religions are officially ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE about LGBTQ people. Because of this, you just kind of have to take it with a grain of salt and judge the individual rather than the affiliation — and I’ve seen nothing about Pratt that leads me to believe he’s anti-LGBTQ. (Anyone who’s given me that many erections can’t be anti-gay.) That she’s calling Pratt out after things he said on a talk show hosted by the very Catholic Stephen Colbert while saying nothing about that pedophilie factory strikes me as especially rich. To me religion is like smoking. I’m glad fewer and fewer people are doing it. Yet as much as I wish they wouldn’t, we all have friends and family members who still partake, whom we still love. But I don’t think it’s right for me to run up to every person puffing on the sidewalk and bitch them out. (Should every [insert religion here] be held to account every time they mention their faith?) There’s also the low-hanging fruit element that rubs me the wrong way. Page isn’t exactly sticking her neck out to go after a rich, cisgender, white-privileged hunk. (Talk to me when she flips out the next time Serena Williams wins another major and thanks Jehovah — which Page would NEVER DO.) I say this because I have a rule: I generally will never say something to someone I wouldn’t say to everyone — meaning if a 20-year-old woman cuts in front of me at Starbucks, I’d only call her out on it if I would also say something to a Hell’s Angel. I usually just keep my mouth shut.

6 comments:

Mike said...

Kenneth, understand your point. However if he was part of a church that was anti-African american or anti-jewish or anti-catholic or anti-woman...etc. would you still allow him the same pass? I can assure that if he and bieber (a member also) were members of a church that allowed for the above, they would be greatly raked over the coals, condemned and taken to task for it. why is associating yourself to a church that is hideously anti-gay still "allowed" and accepted? No, its NOT ok.

Kenneth M. Walsh said...

@Mike: I don’t think you do understand my point. I’m not excusing his church. EVERY Catholic, Evangelical (and most other Christian), Muslim and Orthodox Jewiish church is also “an anti-church.” It comes with territory — I’m saying why just single him out?

Mike said...

Kenneth, i do understand your point. But I think it was as simple as he was on the show at that moment talking about his church/faith, she watched it and commented. seems more like a timing thing. I am in no way comparing chris to Tony Perkins, but when Perkins is spewing his anti-everything rhetoric on fox news or other such channels, when the bloggers pounce on him they do not call out every other homophobe in history. One cant. it is about what he, perkins is saying at moment. If Ellen was writing a journalistic piece about celebrities supporting anti-gay churches, then yes, she should call out everyone who aligns themselves with such institutions.

Personally, i find it disturbing that anyone could belong to an institution that promotes hate and discrimination of any kind. lets go with assumption that chris is not anti-gay, I still can not fathom how one can compartmentalize discrimination and look at themselves in the mirror every morning. I think he may want to check the dimmer on that "Brighter Light From Within"....

on a personal note, i have enjoyed reading your blog for years and will continue to do so!

jaragon said...

Who made Ellen Page the head witch hunter? Mr Pratt is handsome and charming and I will continue to pay to see him in the movies-as long as he doesn't start spewing anti-gay rhetoric.

Myk said...

...and here we have it in microcosm: the purist vs. the realist. I used to hold Mike's viewpoint. As I've gotten older, I realized that Kenneth's gets more done (and offends fewer people). In this particular case - you want to change a religion you think is corrupt? Join it, and put your donations in escrow until they shape up. Money, alas, talks.

Mike said...

Myk, i agree with you. my first intention is always " lets come together and see what we can build" and in an ideal world that thought process would be successful and has proven to be in many instances. However not in religion unfortunately. You will never change a religious organizations beliefs. Never. Religion is not a case of " you attract more bees with honey" scenario. It is to deeply rooted in what they believe a few, vague at best, bible verses state. These organizations think nothing of and actually promote in-equality and discrimination. They do not care who they offend. I would love nothing more for both sides to come to the table and "break bread". Unfortunately with one side not willing, no progress can be made. I will ad one thought. if Trump can get into office (as vile as it is) then ANYTHING is possible! There is still hope.... the "realist" ;)