Not religious morality
I respectfully disagree with Ian Kurylyk.
While I agree that holding a moral position is not the same as hating people, this isn’t an issue of religious morality.
What is at issue here is calling an attempt to make the LGBT community feel welcome as offensive and a part of the “leftist agenda.” “Offending” religious groups should not be a consideration for any branch of the government or for any public servant. The primary argument that Summerside businessman Paul MacGregor made was that while this was done in an attempt to be “inclusive,” was that it excluded people based on religion; aka Amish, Born Again Christians, Muslims.
Why bring religion into this? Being LGBT is not a religious decision, nor is supporting their community. It’s a warm gesture with no intended ill will, that is meant to say that we’re not close-minded.
I fully support Paul MacGregor’s right to say what he did. Nor should he have to apologize for exercising his freedom, but I also support those that replied. The beauty of our country is that we can say whatever we want, however that doesn’t mean that there won’t be repercussions for those words. Don’t get me wrong: I disagree with people bullying his children for something he has said.
However, as a small business owner, if (the business) suffers due to his unwillingness to keep his opinion to himself, that is something he needs to live with.
What “special status” did painting the crosswalks rainbow give anyone? Does it mean that any LGBT person that jaywalks there won’t get a ticket? No. You’re seeing something that isn’t there. There’s no special status. To wrap this up,
I’ll say this: Our society will not be able to progress as long as we continue to focus on our differences and not our similarities. Our sexuality, our religious beliefs, our political beliefs, our gender, the colour of our skin.
None of this matters compared to one simple thing: How we treat one another as members of the same race, the human race. Also: IT’S A FREAKING CROSSWALK! Unless driving over it causes your car to burst into flame, or walking on it causes you be in total agony, get over it!
Michael Callahan, North Rustico