Oppose the loudest voice at your peril

Joshua Earle photo

By

Hazel Speed

Back in the 1960s (and earlier), homosexuality was never discussed openly, and should it ever be mentioned between a few heterosexual people, by way of a passing comment, it was always in whispers, as it may result in their arrest if their conversation was overheard, due to an assumption that the speakers must be gay themselves.

I only heard of one person who was imprisoned, and that was years after the event, as the matter was kept most secret.

It seemed wrong to many in those days to imprison people, though many heterosexual young people did not understand all the issues surrounding the legal and moral aspects.  All everyone was told related to the fact it was contrary to Biblical teaching and referenced as something never to do.

Those who now can speak their name legally under the ‘rainbow banner’ without being arrested, is one stage of social change, gay marriages, however, are still not accepted by many, albeit legally permitted.

It is quite amazing that such a social issue journey has been travelled in the lifetime of those born in the mid 20th Century.

What concerns many non-rainbow people, as I have heard them say as much, is how everyone has swapped roles of repression, in that people who do not agree with any of the changes have to whisper, and be careful who they speak to in case ‘they’ are arrested. So free speech for the rainbow group has removed free speech of others. That cannot be right.

Many theologians, Church congregations and non-denomination Christians, who are against homosexuality based on Biblical edicts, are frightened to have their view now, and that cannot be right.

It stands to reason that Christianity cannot serve more than one Master, i.e. the Godhead, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

For those under rainbow colours, they ought to remember that the lack of tolerance which blighted their lives for decades or more, is now blighting the lives of non-rainbow Christians and also non-Christians but who, nevertheless, agree with the traditional stance of the Church; so much so, that even the National Trust has tested enforced labelling of some of their volunteers to wear rainbow badges and sashes. This is how fascism commenced.

Pretty soon, candidates for jobs will have a list of fascist style requirements to facilitate the loudest voices on a range of issues, not based on a moral belief, but to be popular and trendy with the latest mode.

This will create resentment – if not already asked (and I know of one instance where it has been, and probably illegally most recently in an interview), ‘did you vote to Leave or Remain in the Brexit Referendum?’

George Orwell’s ‘1984’ is more than ever with us, as the UK is the most watched country with surveillance cameras, our TVs, phones, fridges, lights and microwaves, energy settings, etc, all digitally controlled. Phones are hacked more easily if GCHQ are so ‘authorised,’ online banking facilitates a love-hate risk relationship with customers worried about scams on the internet, whereby they may lose their money, yet many high street banks are closing. Enforcements on the individual come from many areas. Choice is a thing of the past.

One can be reported for making comments A-Z, with no allowances for meanings being misinterpreted across generations, compassion is rare, and ageism is still a huge problem, as are hidden disability issues.

Saying that one is English is frowned on, whereas Northern Irish, Scottish and Welsh can proudly declare their name.

Remember the poem ‘First They Came For The Socialists.’

Tolerance is something which should be available and active when we come across people with different views, as if one group values freedom to express their personal view, in an appropriate and respectful way within suitable format, then the other opposing group does also.

As for the Church, commonly heard is the inevitability of a division therein, as although God loves us all, opposing factors (whatever the Biblical issue), worshippers have to pray to their God with what each member of a congregation considers to be according to their light, i.e. understanding and acceptance of Biblical teaching, and given the theological dispute is beyond agreement, then it is best, perhaps, that each group has their own Church according to some.

For those who do not attend a Church but want a job where they will not be penalised for having a non-rainbow belief, perhaps it is time, I hear, that legislation protects their rights now.

What an upside down world in 2017, compared to the 1950s and beyond.

Hazel Speed

Photo (c) Hazel Speed – used by kind permision to Tuck Magazine

Hazel Speed is a Philosopher, Writer, and Artist with various creative projects at differing stages of development. Her flaship project is an animation which has produced a film short: www.thepinkprofessor.com. She has also written an E-novel, ‘Just Suppose…!‘ which is available via the attached link.

Art sites: www.candystoreart.com, www.terrificart.com, www.artbadges.co.uk