Jump to content
Join the Unexplained Mysteries community today! It's free and setting up an account only takes a moment.
- Sign In or Create Account -

shadowhive's Blog

  • entries
    17
  • comments
    108
  • views
    16,063

Thoughts on the last week


shadowhive

109,909 views

Not made a post in awhile, but the events last week, well they've made a lasting impression and I feel I should get the words out.

When I woke up last week to the news of another shooting I was, well, I didn't think too much. At first I thought the trend was to do with the shooting a few days before, but then as more information came out I slowly became more and more horrified. And then scared. And angry.

(I'm glad E3 was last week as the goodness of that helped settle me otherwise I'd be a nervous wreck.)

First I was worried I have a friend that lives out in Florida and I hadn't heard from her for a few days, so I was worried she was safe. (Thankfully she was.)

I saw the topic here about it and it became much like a train wreck, something I couldn't look away from and the comments within fuelled my anger. Not just those comments, but the comments on twitter from politicians in America. Politicians that were 'praying' for the victims. A hollow gesture as many of them fought hard against LGBT rights whenever they could. These people didn't care about LGBT people in life and certainly couldn't in death. (Indeed they proved it as soon after many of them voted against LGBT discrimination laws.) Other ones that 'prayed' also took kickbacks from the NRA to keep gun laws off the books.

That too makes me angry. That even though this was another in the long line for mass shootings in America, people are still harping on about the second amendment, still valuing guns over lives. Still wanting people to have legal access to assault weapons. Still wanting to be able to carry them everywhere. It is so ****ing crazy.

And then to see a pastor say that he wished 'more had died'? Like... **** that. And of course,a s soon as he says that christians immediately say 'I'm not like that', but here's the kicker, many are. He didn't advocate his congregation going out and shooting people, he wanted the government to do that. Likewise many christians don't want to do it themselves but believe that god will. In essence, that's much the same thing. You both want a higher power to do the dirty work for you.

I've also see christians cry 'oh but we're not out there killing people like muslims are' but you're doing everything but! You disown LGBT children, you kick them out of their homes and churches, schools or jobs. You call them perverts, sinners, abnormal, disturbed. Hell we can't even do something as simple as go to the bathroom without having christians wanting to stop us. Christians create a climate just as dangerous as those muslims do, they create fear and hatred. They create persecution and discrimination. They create a toxic environment for LGBT people, their families and children. They'll deny it until their blue in the face, and then go and do the exact thing they claim they don't do. It absolutely sickens me.

I've seen and talked to a lot of people in the past week and believe me, that's exacttly how so many LGBT in America think. They're just as worried about christians as they are muslims, at times much more because it's christians (not muslims) that hold political power and make bill after bill making their lives harder.

Honestly, this whole thing has just made so angry at both religions, at home both of them attack us and try and destroy us. Because that's what both want, they both hate us, both want us gone. And in kind, I hate both of them. All this has just proven that both are vile and that members of them are not to be trusted. I will never, never be dragged into either religions. Ever.

As someone said earlier about them: Never forgive, never forget. And that is true. I won't forget those people that were shot. I won't forgive the religions that fostered the environment that let it happen, or their reactions to it after.

I am just so... tired and angry.

And then there's guns and how nothing will do anything about them. Indeed I've seen two people here say that they'll fight for gun rights even if it costs a million lives. Another said a similar statement but went further, they'd fight until the last man. Honestly, that terrifies me and that attitude absolutely says a lot about the mentality of America. That even 'law abiding' gun owners are absolutely willing to murder people for their precious guns.

But one thing I now is that despite this tragedy, nothing will change. Gun sales have spiked... and it won't be long before there's another mass shooting of some kind because of it. People will block bills that will restrict sales of guns or even making sure people have basic safety training (which will result in more accidental deaths). Politicians will still fight against LGBT rights and laws to protect them. Religious institutions will still treat LGBT people as inferior, inspiriing their followers to do the same, resulting in more violence and death. Those people will then spread it to the next generation inspiring bullying and self loathing and suicides. People will still send 'thoughts and prayers' and then not do anything to back it up.

That's perhaps the worst thing about this tragedy, that no good will come of it whatsoever. No, worse than that, that nothing will happen whatsoever. Nothing will change and that's how America likes it.

8 Comments


Recommended Comments

gun owners are absolutely willing to murder people for their precious guns.

If this is what you understood from what was said then you are hopelessly biased and unable to see truth. I am one of the two you speak of and it is an absolute lie that I said I'd murder anyone, ever, for anything. I think you lead a sad and fearful life and I feel sorry for you.  When another human being 3500 miles away can cause such a state of fear in your life then maybe you should look in the mirror, not at that other person.  I think your anger at people of faith has less to do with their acts against you than with the idea that anyone anywhere should believe that how you live your life may be wrong.  Not demanding you change, mind you, just THINKING it may be wrong is enough to enrage you.  You castigate others for their hatred yet you obviously are choking on hate yourself.  Try letting it go, being free of it.  Let others believe as they will and accept them for what they are while you demand they do the same for you.  I have never mistreated a non straight person in my life and have had a few as friends.  One as a dear friend.  Hate is the killer.  Guns are only the instrument.  The guy who shot up that club and laughed as those poor people suffered was gay himself.  He attributed his acts to Islamic teachings but seemed to have no real understanding of them.  So you blame Christians for his crime?  That doesn't even make bad sense.  What it does accomplish is to show you up for the hate in your own heart and life.  What makes your hate justifiable, yet other's unacceptable?  A responsible adult knows that NEITHER are, ever.

Link to comment
shadowhive

Posted

You said that if giving up your guns would save a million lives, you'd take the guns. That, to me shows that you value guns more than human life. It seems painfully obvious to me. I truly think if someone came to take your guns away, that you'd shoot them. When you sent that pm after the shooting, I had hoped you were sincere, had hoped for some kind of dialogue... but then you went and had to say that and... well, what exactly am I supposed to think?

Why am I scared of that mentality? Because I have people I care about there and because I don't want to lose them. I've already lost one to gun violence, I don't want to lose another.

Every LGBT person that I know (and I'm pretty much sure every single one alive today), myself included, has had to deal at some point with the actions of people of faith. You see what they think reguuarly leads to action and we've all been harmed as a result of those actions. I've been kicked, punched, spat on, called names... and it all stems from that religious belief. I've had enough of it and I want it stop, but when it's pointed out to religious people.... they don't care. Or like the politicians I mentioned, they pretend to care, but do nothing. They still hold the belief and the belief is the root of the problem.

And yeah, I hate it. I honestly do. Because everyone I care about has been harmed by it. Physically, emotionally, psychologically, even killed. It's happened too much and that it continues to happen now makes me sick. I want it to stop, but it won't and that makes me hate it all the more.

'Guns are an instument' 'Guns are a tool.' No. Guns aren't tools, they are weapon. Their sole purpose, their only function is to hurt and kill. It's what they were made for. People call them tools to make them more palatable, but all they are is weapons.

I blame islam for what he did, because it's teachings promot the same negativity as christianity does. When LGBT people are exposed to them it creates an immense amount of self loathing. Some can get past that. Some don't. He couldn't.

Do I blame christianity for what he did? No, but I see a lot of hypocrisy in the responses by christians after the fact. And I've seen christians preach the same toxic teachings for a long time. I see it today.

My hate and anger will lessen as the days and weeks go on. It always does, but right now, it's still raw, like a nerve. And I'm still... well. It hurts. I didn't know anyone there and yet it hurts. It hurts so much and I don't know why. I'm just... I'm just sick of this happening. I want it to stop but I don't know how. No one wants to listen. No one wants to do anything.

It just... hurts.

I do know, as I've said before to others, that it's best to mistrust believers, to keep them at a distance. I don't think I'll ever stop doing that.

  • Like 1
Link to comment

I am sorry you are going through so much pain, it must be awful for you.  We have people from your community come to our retreat house on a regular bases.  They are very kind and we love them here.  They are quiet, devout and intelligent.  One is an older man who dresses up as a woman.  She respected and loved by me and the staff.  She does not know we know that she/he is a transgender. 

Love God Love people, the two go together.  If one is missing, well then that is sad.   Am I against your lifestyle,  well I don't know what it is, I am sure people in your community are as unique as anyone else.  I am against using others and objects, of sexual promiscuity because it belittles those who participate in it.  That has nothing do to with you community, but with me as well.  People are precious, you are precious and I am so sorry for your pain and suffering.

 

Peace
Mark

  • Like 1
Link to comment

What you have to realize is that people are not placing more value on the gun but rather placing value on their own lives and feeling a need to be able to protect themselves.  A couple friends here in San Diego of mine just applied for concealed carry permits soon after hearing about the shooting in Orlando, yes they are both gay and live together.  They already own a few guns, but they want to be able to carry them around legally.   But in San Diego county it's hard to say if the permits will even be approved. Lately the only reason to get a permit approved is to have a restraining order against a specific person who has threatened violence, and that has to have been documented.

Link to comment
shadowhive

Posted

CJ: I guess it's in large part to do with where I live, in a country where gun violence is virtually non-existant. The concept of having a gun to protect yourself is truly something that's so alien to me, I just don't understand it. It's truly bizarre to me. Having a weapon doesn't seem to be a thing that makes you safer, especially when it's more than a pistol. And if you feel the need to carry them around all the time.... doesn't that show that something is very very wrong?

Link to comment
shadowhive

Posted (edited)

Mark: Thanks for you kind words. It really has been. I don't think having depression has helped either and it's like I've had an internal meltdown. What kind of retreat is it? I'm glad that there's people like you that look after her.

I've never been a believe of god. The concept seems... absurd. And what believers have done in it's name, the horrors that religious texts call for? I just can't buy it.

I've never got the use of the term 'lifestyle' that gets throown around in regards to us. There's really no such thing as a 'homosexual lifestyle' anymore than there is a hetrosexual one. I always think being against consentual casual sex is an odd thing. It really is up to the participants and the idea that it's somehow degrading has always troubled me, regardless of the participants involved. (Saying that though, I've always been much to shy to actually do it like that yself.)

 

Thanks for the thoughts, they are appreciated

Edited by shadowhive
  • Like 1
Link to comment

Here is our webpage my friend:  http://www.trappist.net/

If you ever come to Atlanta come and pay us a visit, it would be an honor meeting you.  It is often fear and anger that make people do these kinds of things, those who are perceived as different or often made into scapegoats.  I will not go into your ideas about religion etc., for I can see where you are coming from.  I have always respected your honesty and obvious intelligence. 

IN Atlanta we have six million people, which tends to make violence more common.  The family unit is not what it used to be, so it can lead to people struggling to make up for that loss.....though the perfect family is a myth of course.  In the so called good old days, well it was not so good.  Less violence though, at least here in the United States.

Always a pleasure speaking/writing to you.

 

Peace
mark

 

 

Link to comment
shadowhive

Posted

Ohh is that like trappist monks? (I've heard the term before but not got much idea of what it means)

Aww that's very sweet of you to say. It's unlikely I would but I'll keep it in mind if I ever do. Yeah, that's very true. There's also an unwillingness to try and understand us, because they cling to their religious texts that say we're deviants etc and they seem to struggle to get past that. Thank you for saying so.

That's certainly a lot of people. I've never held much stock in the 'traditional' family unit. I find it's not respective of reality and so holding one family unit up as the 'gold standard' has always seemed troubling. But then again I grew up with my mum and grandparents, without any contact with my father.

 

Thanks, and you

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now