Your other examples are of institutions that have historically been behind a lot of violence and hate. I get your point but religion and Nazis have les to a lot of turmoil compared to gay folks so I don't think they're necessarily comparable. I agree with your overall point but kinda a poor set of comparisons to get it across effectively
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/03/29/three-charged-after-rainbow-crossing-defaced-in-gisborne/
They are calling this 'painting' of the street a hate crime. Three were charged after the rainbow crossing was defaced. But I wonder how many were charged when the road was defaced by the rainbow crossing?
Any symbolism that inflames tensions is by definition divisive, irrespective of your position on what that symbolism means. Divisive symbolism should not be publicly funded. That inclues crucifixes, 10-commandment tablets, stars of david, swastikas, rainbow pride flags, all of it. Not only is it a stupid use of public funds, it is inappropriate for public funds representating ALL OF US to be divered to support only SOME OF US. This crossing should be a black-and-white zebra crossing like all the other NZ crossings are.
Previously I complained to my representative about the Human Rights Commission adverting on their website using public funds submitted by all of us asking us to vote a particular way on an upcoming referendum. They were not even pretending to be neutral.
All that being said, I have no problem with rainbows or LGBT people. This is about how public funds need to be spent in neutral ways. What if all the tax money America collected went into the Joe Biden campaign? Something wrong with that, right? Same issue here.
Discussion
I've seen the LGBT community go ragingly hateful and (mostly restrained) violent against Posie Parker. All humans, when they have strong beliefs, and when they are crowds, can become violent. I don't think history from before I was born is terribly relevant to the odds that some subgroup of society today becomes so hateful as to become violent against another subgroup of society. And for the sake of civility we should avoid inflaming tensions, especially with my tax dollars.
Christians don't believe LGBT people are anything other than sinners choosing sin, and that belief (which I disagree with) is not going to change in the minds of Christians. They lost the gay marraige legal battle. They've consistently lost when laws are concerned. LGBT people are getting everything they asked for. Why can't they just stop trying to aggrevate Christians? If someone wants to shove something down someone else's throat, they need to get permission.
Religions have been used to perpetuate multiple wars throughout history. This is factual & shouldn’t be ignored.
My belief is humans have human rights. Some see people fighting for theirs as if they are denouncing others choices. If others would allow people to live their lives by their own choices, there would be no fighting. No oppressor has ever willingly changed their mind.
It’s the same argument with abortion. I believe abortion is healthcare. Some don’t. I’ll continue to fight for others to get healthcare no matter what religion they follow. To me, it’s a human right.
And in that spirit, I propose that Easter and Christmas cease to be recognized by the state. Christians certainly wouldn't want to be forced into taking days off work and having the supermarket closed to celebrate LGBT holidays.
I'm serious. Cut this religious holiday shit out.
I agree. And tax churches already.
You could say that of the Christina priests shoving things down kids throats too