When "Disagreement" Becomes Murder

Some people seem genuinely puzzled by the uproar over Obama's choice of anti-gay activist and megachurch pastor Rick Warren as inaugural speaker. It's just words, they argue, free speech, what's the big deal? Obama himself said of Warren: "We can disagree without being disagreeable."

The problem, as many commentators have noted, is that we're not disagreeing about abstract ideas -- we're disagreeing about civil and human rights.

I would argue that we're disagreeing about most basic human right of all -- the right to live a life free of violence.

Because words are where violence begins. And in America, violence against gays, lesbians, and transgendered people most often begins in hateful and intolerant words spoken in right-wing churches like Rick Warren's Saddleback. Warren has compared gay and lesbian people to pedophiles and perpetrators of incest (you can watch the CNN video of his remarks here). His words may often be cloaked more politely, but in his intolerance, Warren is really no different than James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, Fred Phelps, or other peddlers of anti-gay hate.

And the seeds of that hate are growing faster than ever.

This year, the FBI reported a 1% decline in hate crimes in the United States. At the same time, they revealed a 6% increase in hate crimes against gay, lesbian, and transgendered people. In the past few months alone, shocking murders have been reported across the country from Oxnard, CA to Brooklyn, NY, and most recently, San Francisco.

From The Associated Press:

A woman in the San Francisco Bay area was jumped by four men, taunted for being a lesbian, repeatedly raped and left naked outside an abandoned apartment building, authorities said Monday.

Detectives say the 28-year-old victim was attacked Dec. 13 after she got out of her car, which bore a rainbow gay pride sticker. The men, who ranged from their late teens to their 30s, made comments indicating they knew her sexual orientation, said Richmond police Lt. Mark Gagan. "It just pushes it beyond fathomable," he said. "The level of trauma -- physical and emotional -- this victim has suffered is extreme."

The 45-minute attack began when one of the men approached the woman as she crossed the street, struck her with a blunt object, ordered her to disrobe and sexually assaulted her with the help of the other men.

When the group saw another person approaching, they forced the victim back into her car and took her to a burned-out apartment building, where she was raped again inside and outside the vehicle. The assailants took her wallet and drove off in her car. Officers found the car abandoned two days later.

This is the reality of what gay people in this country endure while right-wing Christians like Warren claim to be 'the real' victims of intolerance ("Christ-o-phobia," to use Warren's word). For years, these people of faith have successfully lobbied to prevent Federal hate crimes statutes to be amended to include crimes against gay, lesbian, or transgendered people, arguing it would infringe on the faithful's right to "speak freely."

That argument is nonsense, of course, but even if it weren't, should a person's right to incite bigotry, intolerance, and murderous hatred from the pulpit trump people's right to simply live in peace?

And should such a person ever be invited to a post of honor and respect at a Presidential inauguration?

Comments

[MaineMike]

Years and years ago I read about Houston police taking an active role to stop hate crimes there. I never forgot that story and a quick Google search got me the URL:

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE6DC1138F93AA3575BC0A967958260

[larinthesky]

Thank you for writing this! I'm not sure why we're expected to tolerate bigotry and discrimination as acceptable but I'm particularly baffled that we're expected to exalt such hatefulness as a benediction for our new president.

[enveg01]

Rick Warren is intolerant and an obvious homophobe. We should decry his appearance at the Presidential Inauguration the exact same way we would a racist or an anti-semite. Done.

[AguynamedWayne]

Finally! I've been saying this all along. That at a time when violent hate crimes are on the rise in America it is beyond shameful for Obama to honor a hateful antigay bigot like Rick Warren, it's dangerous.

How many more gay Americans will become victims of brutal hate crimes before Obama learns that it's wrong to support and honor bigots?

[TRUE BLUE AMERICAN]

When are you fools on the left going to realize that the people that are comitting crimes against gays are not religious, or followers of Christ in anyway, shape or form? You know fat people take it on the chin all the time, Christians must hate them also.

[klmebane]

who do you know that was gang raped for being fat? furthermore, you may say these people aren't followers of christ, but many of them think of themselves that way. another example, the ku klux klan. some of the most religious (in their minds at least) people to ever commit hate crimes and use the bible to justify them.

[kellygrrrl]

as with McCain's choice of Palin, had it worked, it would have been a brilliant gamble.
so it goes with Obama's choice of Warren - had Warren taken the opportunity to stand before the EvangelCommunity and ask them to lay down their arms and let go of their Bigotry&Hate and unite with all Americans - this would have been genius on Obama's part.
unfortunately, Warren chose to blame the media and call the rest of us "Christophobes."

so as with the Palin choice, the gamble didn't work.

[ReHoover51]

u r funny - my sense of humor exactly!

[bronceye]

The fact that Warren is the person chosen, removes from respect and honor, that post.

[sherbug]

On September 16 the mutilated and partially dismembered body of Brandon McClelland was found on a road in Paris, Texas. Brandon, a 24 year old black man was first run down and then dragged 40 feet. The death of Brandon was first ruled a hit and run and then after the coroner's report the death was ruled a murder. Two white men have been arrested for the murder. One of the white men arrested has white supremacist ties.

The LGBT community is not the only people that have been murdered and hurt by the society in which they live. It is therefore wrong of the LGBT community to try and hijack this Inauguration and pretend that it is in anyway about them. For the first time in U.S. history a black man will be sworn in as President and for the first time in U.S. history there will be gays, openly identified as gays, participating in the parade. This is a historic event and rather than take pride in the victory you take exception to Pastor Warren's participation. There are those who would take exception that Obama has given gays a place of honor at the Inauguration. What should Obama do about that? If he excludes Warren to please you, then he must exclude you to please someone else.

Take your fight to the courts in the individual states and not at this occasion that is meant for all Americans, not just the LGBT Americans.

[ashb]

Obama didn't invite a white supremacist to the inauguration.

[sherbug]

Nor did Obama invite any rapists to the inauguration. What's your point.?

[clevelandchick]

You actually make the point for the gay community against Obama's decision to include Warren.

Obama did not honor a known racist with the invocation at the inaugural but he did honor a known homophobe and anti-feminist that actively works to limit the rights of gay people and women.

Obama would never dream of inviting a racist, there would be a huge outcry and hardly anyone would call that outcry 'whining'. But women and gay people insulted by this decision are supposed to shut up? I don't think so.

[sherbug]

You say I make the point for the gay community? Well, I disagre. I think I make the point that gays are not exclusively targeted for hate crimes. I think I make the point that the gay community is attempting to divide the PE's support between them and us.
I think I make the point that the gay community are self-pitying whiners that are determined to make this Inauguration about them. I don't think so.

[chaya]

Part I

Try imagining that you are black and it is the early 1960's. You have endured generations of hate anti-black laws, and violence against your friends and relatives. A very popular white man who has promised a new era of tolerance and reliance on real science has just been elected President with the help of your money and campaigning. You and all your black friends celebrated with joy. At last! You can taste the freedom and justice. But at the same time, states pass new laws against you. You can't adopt anymore. You can't marry your white lover (or whomever) because it's against God. It hurts--badly--but at least, you think, now this kind of hatred can finally become a thing of the past. But your new President invites a powerful, well-known preacher to give the Invocation at his Inauguration. This preacher recently claimed that blacks have smaller brains, no souls, were created to be slaves, and shouldn't be allowed to marry white people or use the same drinking fountains or bathrooms because they're dirty. Right after this, a bunch of white kids get together and lynch one of your family members--because a preacher said on TV that blacks weren't good people, the new President has selected that preacher give his invocation, and a bunch of states just voted away your civil rights.

[Givethemhellharry]

There are plenty of laws on the books for these types of henious crimes and anyone committing them should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. I am also no bible thumper. I think more crimes have benn committed in the name of religion than for any other reason. Look at the history of Ireland, what Israel is doing to the Palestinians and vice versus, the Crusades, the extermination of Jews, etc.

But having said that, this article was way over the top in indicting Warren and through him Obama. The man is giving a meaningless prayer, that is it. That precious news print is wasted on such an attack article reminds of the crap that is put out by the cohorts of Limbaugh and Hannity. I thought we of the left were above that. That we could disagree with someone but defend their right to their opinion.

Let's get real, folks, Lets get real. Because there are real problems facing the country and the world.

[greenwriter]

Givethemhellharry --Getting real is what this article is all about. For far too long, we've given a free pass to hate-mongering in this country because it's come cloaked in vestments of faith. And the spiking rise in hate crimes against the GLBT community (a spike that has been going on since 2005, by the way) is a very real problem, wouldn't you agree?

[burndtdan]

Then you better make a move to repeal the first amendment, which grants the right to freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Because otherwise, we don't "give a free pass", the Constitution does.

[greenwriter]

On Christmas Eve, ABC 24/CW 30 Eyewitness News of Memphis reported on the third transgender woman shot in the city in just six months.

The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) said in a press release:

"The indifferent attitude of law enforcement towards the February 16, 2006, murder of Tiffany Berry, and the February 12, 2008, beating of Duanna Johnson by Memphis Police Department officers, has sent a message that the lives of transgender people are not important.

This has fed the culture of violence that has permeated the second half of 2008, and is exemplified by the July 1 murder of Ebony Whitaker, the July 28 murder of Dre-Ona Blake, a two year old girl who was killed by the man who had previously been charged with the murder of Tiffany Berry, but was allowed to walk free for two and a half years, the November 9 murder of Duanna Johnson, and now the shooting of Leeneshia Edwards.

This open season on transgender people in Memphis and elsewhere, regardless of whether or not they engage in sex work, must come to an end right now."

[caterpol]

Rick Warren also offends feminists, atheists and agnostics. His narrow, but popular, view of the world excludes many of us. IMHO so does the Bible, no matter whose translation you prefer.

If I had my wish, there would be zero religious leaders at the inauguration. It would be a totally secular event. (The downside being reality. A President who doesn't aver his xtianity won't get elected anytime soon).

Yet we have two pastors. One who represents much of what I consider a self-affirming ideology, and one who represents much of what I think is inarguable truth. Yet both credit their Xtian faith for their morality

In the meantime, we have a new President who has pledged to listen to all of us---a far cry from the last one where any dissenter was considered an-ti-American.

So this IS progress folks. It's not a personal insult. It's not the worst thing ever. It's real America in all our shame and glory, but with an upside. Education on what Warren and his ilk stand for. The power of words, as the author states.

(But to the author---could you back off on the "h-ate" meme. Warrren and his ilk don't "h-ate" you, that's hyperbole. Also, you make it sound as if only crimes against gays have seen an uptick; but I'd bet money that the biggest uptick in crimes have been against women).

[enveg01]

If Rick Warren and his ilk's attitudes towards gays aren't rooted in hatred, what are they rooted in?

[Motherunit]

Ignorance

[propitiousmoment]

Fear.

[Zanti]

Beer.

[Elderlady]

Money.

[TRUE BLUE AMERICAN]

Love

[AnnfromCA]

I guess my opinion is that I think those who believe that they are entitled to violence because someone is different are simply.....violent.

This is about what caused the violence.

This IS about the acceptance of violence.

Obviously, it's not a solution to anything.

Yet, it persists.

I have no wise words on this. I've been enraged, to the point of acting out. I have never felt so cruddy in my entire life. It never happened again.

I simply can't really "get" those who enjoy violence.

I think, gays, transgender, etc., are nothing more than scapegoats today.

It's not about their choices. It's about the prevalent violence.

[Roryfreedman]

Not too long ago, black people were enslaved. When abolition was being debated, surely there were people saying things like, "I don't think it's right to have slaves, but I also don't think blacks should be equal to whites." Rick Warren and those defending him can split words all they want. Bigotry is bigotry.

One "Yes on 8" TV commercial deceitfully suggested that schools would teach kids about homosexuality. Why would that be so bad? None of us chose to be heterosexual, we were just born that way. It is exactly the same for gays, but they have been subjected to ridicule, discrimination, abuse, and even murder. Teaching children that gay people exist and that they are just like us is imperative. If you think that affording gays the right to marry---teaching our children and ourselves compassion and empathy and equality--- will somehow negatively affect the state of our nation, think again.

Forget your knee-jerk responses about the Bible and that "marriage has always been between a man and a woman." Step outside of what you are so sure of for just one moment. What will you lose by seeing gays as exactly the same as straight people? Why is it so threatening?

That Rick Warren and millions of others have such a large blind spot is deeply saddening. That our country is about to enter a new era is extremely promising. That bigotry will share the spotlight on such an important day is painfully disappointing.

[beyobi]

You are absolutely right. I wonder how we can start a dialogue with these people to educate them...

[Davwbaird]

You can not, because it threatens their very being. I think Warren will come to the table and Obama will see what a creep he is. Obama is the one who is more open and I underline more. This dialogue we are having is great and the Warren creep changing his web site has been brought to Obama's attention, he is not happy. So we must keep this up and work on Senators, I mean Kennedy for one and Patti Murray in Washington state and governors and mayors, like Seattle's and Portland

[clevelandchick]

You really cannot. The right wing is basically about demonizing a segment or two of social culture and that's how it makes a lot of money. They cherry-pick the bible for enemies and then invoke fear of their chosen enemies to raise cash.

It was the social conservatives that held onto slavery and apartheid. Constructive dialog was not what put an end to slavery or white only restaurants or lynching but a civil war, protests and passing legislation. The National Guard had to escort black kids into white schools when even the governor refused them entrance.

These groups raise and spend tens to hundreds of millions of dollars to pass anti-gay and anti-woman legislation. Their leaders are multi-millionaires rubbing elbows with celebrities and politicians. There is no reason for them to accept the civil rights of gay men and reproductive rights of women. Or more appropriately, there's no money in it.

[M1]

Thank you for your article.

[BobbyJoe]

We can debate "hate crimes" here in the states all we like But what we can't debate is Rick Warren's decision to endorse and promote Archbishop Peter Akinola in Nigeria at a time when Akinola was calling for forced imprisonment of gays and lesbians in an atmosphere rife with violence and murder toward gays and lesbians.

While Akinola was loudly calling for laws that would make it punishable by long prison sentences for even two gay men or two lesbians to have dinner together in a restaurant, Rick Warren wrote an op-ed in Time magazine promoting Akinola, and singling him out for praise for as the kind of religious leader churches should aspire toward, offering among many other compliments, that he sees Akinola as "courageous and willing to point out the inconsistencies, weaknesses and theological drift in Western churches." This column was written at the height of Akinola's campaign to help send gays and lesbians to prison simply for being gay.

This is not simply Warren saying "words that hurt" in some vague way; this is the direct encouragement of a figure who was attempting to legalize violence against gays to the point that a number of human rights observers were suggesting Akinola was leading up to a genocidal "solution."

Bruce Wilson, here at Huffington Post writes about this much better and more comprehensively than I can do; I urge you to read it here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-wilson/warren-endorsed-nigerian_b_153412.html

[greenwriter]

Thank you for calling attention to this, BobbyJoe. As Wilson writes: 'Akinola... earlier that year had thrown his substantial political weight and religious authority behind draconian Nigerian anti-gay legislation to, among other strictures, "make it illegal for gay men and lesbians to form organizations, read gay literature or eat together in a restaurant."' Rick Warren's pretense of "loving" gays is looking thinner and thinner when you consider that he-- fully knowing the facts-- described Akinola as "a model for Christians around the world." I believe that tells us all we need to know about the hate in Warren's heart.