Bigotry, Beliefs and Values - The Stakes Are High, The Way Forward Difficult

Some have accused me of bigotry following my post of October 29th, Obama Is Intelligent, Well-Educated, Caring - Save Us From Him, Say Republicans and Tea Partiers.  In that post I repeatedly pointed out that I was certain that not all persons who consider themselves to be conservative, Republican, white and Christian support all the beliefs and values of these respective groups, all the time.  Despite my efforts not to stereotype all members of these groups there were some who read my post and took my comments very personally, and nevertheless believe I think all people in these groups possess all the beliefs and values of these groups.

In my post I took issue with the core values and beliefs of these groups, not those of every individual member, as they are currently expressed politically.  Again, I did not say that all conservative, white, Christian, Republicans have the same beliefs and values.  However, I remain convinced that there is enough in the core beliefs and values of these groups to make a strong case for viewing their ongoing political efforts as a desire to return America to a previous era when these groups enjoyed relatively uncontested power and near exclusive privileges.

Incidentally, when I asked a friend if he thought I had hit a nerve with some people, he said, "Not at all, Jim.  You smashed the s___ out of their nerves with a sledge hammer!"  Ouch.  I was not attacking persons or their nerves.  It was their groups' core values, beliefs and motivations I sought to criticize.

As for the accusation that I am a bigot, it seems to me that may not be correct.  Wikipedia, my quick and evermore widely respected source for definitions, says that a bigot is someone who is "obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, irrationality, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs. The predominant usage in modern American English refers to persons hostile to those of differing race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, various mental disorders, or religion."

So, let me use the terms in this definition to see if I really am a bigot:

I am passionate about my opinions and beliefs.  However, I will modify or exchange them for other opinions and beliefs that are more truthful and just.  I do not prejudge people.  However, I develop an opinion on the rightness or wrongness of an idea or belief only after considering it carefully.  I am not hostile to members of any race, ethnicity, nationality, or those of any sexual orientation, or those who have mental disorders.  I may not agree with all they believe in but I am never hostile toward them because of their group membership, lifestyle or disability.  I am intolerant of and will oppose the supernatural beliefs of religions and other belief systems that have disdain for reason, free-thought and the use of scientific knowledge as bases for morality and governance, or that threaten the well-being and future of humankind and Earth.

You decide.

The stakes are high, the problems of humankind and the Earth are monumental and growing more difficult and numerous each day.

Liberals, Democrats, the racially diverse, and free-thinkers also have their core values and beliefs.  Count me among them but I do not share all the values and beliefs of all these groups, all the time.  I am convinced, however, that individual and group action based on the core values and beliefs of these groups, warts and all, is humankind's best chance for prosperity, peace and happiness, now and in the future, on Earth.  Their beliefs and values are demonstrably more inclusive, open to change and diverse.  They are a better fit for Earth and humankind both of which, by their very nature, will continue to change, diversify and become more inclusive.