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I had originally intended to write a long essay about how gay marriage was such a polemic issue in 2005. But after doing some research, I’ve found out that gay marriage has been a hot topic since 2003, when Massachusetts undid its state ban on gay marriage. I think I just noticed these issues in 2005 because I had a gay friend at the time.
It seemed like people were coming out of the woodwork to proclaim that marriage was a sacred union between men and women, and that gay marriage would open the floodgates to polygamy and man-boy love relationships.
For the life of me, I don’t understand why someone would feel so passionate about two dudes marrying that they would decorate the back of their truck saying its wrong. I think that it only makes sense if you feel that homosexuality is wrong on a fundamental level, that it can have no redeeming virtue. I’m sorry, but I’m not buying it.
Next week: Carl confronts the truck owner!
Why people feel their lives threatened by gay people, I will never understand. That whole ‘end of the civilisation’-angle is getting really old.
Can’t wait until next week. I love me some confrontation!
To Rembrand – Do you get a lot of this stuff in Belgium? I’ve always thought of it as a distinctly American kind of thing. We have a long history of protestant fundamentalism, and the Bible is pretty clearly against sleeping with men. That’s why its such a big deal here. I’m always curious about how other countries approach this.
To Dan – Carl definitely has some pent up anger to let out.
I’d like to see Carl whoop himself some christian conservative butt!!
Ha, awesome! ^^
Yeah he definatly needs to get himself a ranting republic-fundamentalistic christ! :]
I can speak for Austria and I’m VERY glad that we’re not religion-driven like other countries. (Ha, in exchange we have the worst history -.-)
At the moment politicians are discussing the gay-marriage. I really hope that gay men and women will have the same rights they HAVE to get. All men (n women ^^) are equal. And I just hate the arrogance of the ‘normal’ white, straight, christian guys. I don’t know if they’ll ever understand that it doesn’t hurt to grant everyone the same rights n benefits.
Meh, however!
Carl, kick the truck driver’s butt! ^^
Ryan: I don’t see a lot of Religious extrimism, and Regular Joe isn’t quite as ‘in your face’ as that truck-driver. We’re either reserved about issues like this, or pretty progressive.
We do have a catholic heritage with a cardinal in Flanders who brings up Catholic morale whenever something ‘controversial’ pops up. A couple of weeks back it was about euthanasia. But he’s not agressive in any way and it immediately sparks heavy debates with strong characters on the pro-side of things. Which I like. There’s a lot of nonsense being said, but the message gets across.
On the other hand, we do have a right-wing politiical group that gets way to much attention in the media, as far as I’m concerned. They’re all for the traditional family and against immigration. And they thrive on fear. Something like this would be right up their alley.
Rembrand-
Sounds exactly like the right-wing Republican party here in the U.S. They rule by fear and all the while claim that they’re on the side of “family values” and a thousand other catch-phrases they can sputter. Bunch of hippicrites.(sic)
People who put on displays like this really give a lot of Christians a bad name. It makes the whole lot of us seem like Neanderthal mooks who can’t see past their own sloping brows.
I know it’s not your intention to bash Christians, Ryan. And I do appreciate you bringing things like this out in your strip. It makes for interesting conversations/posts. Keep up the good work!
Oooh, confrontation, yay~ I always love that part, and doling it out myself.
I actually haven’t come across things like that aside from just verbal here… Canada, where the minority /is/ the majority. Nevertheless, looking at that, not just the statement but moreso the public forum of it in such a large manner… It could be illegal, as a form of assault.
What I don’t get is how someone can read the Bible, in all its possible wisdoms and ways of being interpreted, all the spiffy stuff about forgiveness and mercy. There’s all the life lessons and really deep, good things that really bring forth a sense of hope in humanity, but then the majority of devote Christians are so against certain things due to ‘moral’this and ‘moral’that that I can’t even believe they’ve read anything of the book.
Plus, I don’t how could you be so devote in something that isn’t what it is anymore? With all the bad translations and revisions, especially with King James and all that huff-up.
No bashing here, just arguing…
Notably, the age of consent in Canada is different for anal sex than for anything else… which is stupid, and I don’t know anyone who is an adamant follower of that. At all. Ever. Maybe it’s just BC but I haven’t heard anyone argue for it.
Nevertheless, awesome with the comic and the yeah.
Sorry, my comment did not mean to bash all Christians. I just had a type of person/personality in my head and that’s what I wrote. In hind site, it was pretty vague and now I feel bad.
Anyways, what I meant was, more of that hypocritical type that preach kindness but find people with different beliefs than theirs immoral and evil.
My parents are that way. I feel bad for them because they are very nice people at heart, they’ve just been brainwashed by their church and as a result, cast unfavorable judgment on those who choose a different lifestyle. To them, homosexuality is a sin, and sinners will go to hell.
Wow, when I write that out it really does sound ridiculous.
Oh man! I just read through your archives – amazing! I really like the comic, keep it up. I found a lot a lot I could relate to in this. I’m going to keep checking back.
Can’t wait to see how Carl kicks ass!
I just think it’s funny how a lot of gay couples out there are raising kids together but still can’t get married.
Thanks for all the comments! I meant to reply sooner, but I was shaking off a nasty cold yesterday. I’m not trying to bash Christianity in general. Even though I’m not really a Christian anymore (its obvious from ready my comics that I’m more of a lazy Buddhist), I still feel there’s some good stuff in there. Sometimes I get frustrated because it seems like “the Church” that I hear on the news, in books, or in stand-up routines isn’t the church I grew up with. The church I grew up with emphasized forgiveness and judge-not-lest-ye-be-judged above all else.