Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Bruce Reyes-Chow

Home
Progressive Christian
What This Liberal Democrat Can Learn from Those Log Cabin Republicans

What This Liberal Democrat Can Learn from Those Log Cabin Republicans

Last updated on: August 29, 2012 at 10:21 am by Bruce Reyes-Chow

What This Liberal Democrat Can Learn from Those Log Cabin Republicans 2012-08-29T10:21:12-07:00 Bruce Reyes-Chow

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This week, during the Republican National Convention, this Tampa Tribune ad hit the newsstands . . .

2012 ad from the Log Cabin Republicans and the Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry

Yep, you read correctly, this ad is from some Republicans to some Republicans.

Awesome.

If I know some of you liberal friends o’ mine, seeing this has got you all foaming at mouth. Your loins are girded, your shields are raised and you are ready to wave the flag of “See, even your own people want you to change!” in the face of any conservative, anti-marriage equality, Romney/Ryan 2012 supporter who you happen to meet on the street.

I jest . . . kinda 😉

I won’t deny it, seeing this ad feels pretty wonderful for those if us who are is support of marriage equality and against a constitutional amendment to define marriage as only between a man and a women. That said, what “we,” who probably stand on the other side of many issues that the Log Cabin Republicans and the Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry support can learn from this action is that sometimes family must challenge family.

I cannot image the flack that they are getting from those in the Republican party who disagree with their position and tactic. It is undoubtedly not a new thing that they are dealing with, but I have seen what happens when people take the risk to step outside of their ideological camp in a public way. When people speak out against their own, relationships are damaged, the “traitor” label is applied generously and the other side revels in the chaos.

It is not pretty.

I as read this, however, it made me wonder about my own ideological “family” and personal communities. What do we need to say to one another about our own struggles and failings?

My daughters’ progressive public school can be incredible inhospitable to new families, staff and administration;
My home, San Francisco is making far too many choices that improve the life of the wealthy and hurt the poor;
My President, Barack Obama, has failed to adequately act on gun violence, comprehensive immigration reform, support of the Philippine military, public education, etc.

Oh, and I could go on and on . . . I have a list. No I don’t. Yes I do.

So . . . at what point do you believe your family’s “dirty laundry” must be aired because it has lost its way? On what topics do you think your leadership must be called to task: church, municipality and/or your communities? I would love to know what you think? But before you respond, let me be clear, this is not an invitation to rant about “them” over there but a call to challenge the “us” right here.

Okay, go.

Lastly, a prayer . . . while the “issue” of marriage equality is the point at which this post and ad originate, at the heart of the matter are the many couple who continue to be told in far too many ways and in far too many places, they will not be give the right to marry. From one who has had that privilege for the past 20+ years, there are many who continue to fight with and for you in this journey and you are in our prayers.

culture | politics

faith | religion

2012 ad from the Log Cabin Republicans

conservative

constitutional amendment on marriage

marriage between one man and one woman

marriage equality

progressive

republican national convention

same sex marriage

tampa tribune

Young Conservatives for the Freedom to Marry

Previous Post

August 28, 2012

The New Out-of-Shape

Next Post

September 10, 2012 What the Body of Christ Can Learn From Fantasy Sports

Browse Our Archives

Select a Month January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 March 2013 January 2013 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 August 2010 November 2009 September 1995

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many seals, trumpets, and bowls of judgment are there in Revelation?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Seven each Ten each Twelve each Five each