Religious Intolerance In Indiana... And Everywhere Else

Imagine you are a Certified Public Accountant in Los Angeles and it's tax season. Imagine a famous person of some sort (of which there are many in Los Angeles) walks through your door and wants to hire you to do his taxes. Imagine that this person is infamous for being intolerant. It doesn't really matter what this person is intolerant of be it race, religion, gender, age, sexual persuasion, but let's assume that whatever it is, it's a topic that is near to your heart. Maybe he hates blacks and though you're white, your wife is black. Maybe he hates Muslims and your best friend is Muslim. Maybe he hates gays and your kid sister is a Lesbian. Whatever it is, this potential client is completely vile in his hatred. Now imagine this famous person is also wealthy (not a big stretch) and working for him will make you a lot of money. Furthermore, imagine that you feel so strong in your convictions that you refuse to give him the service he desires. You turn him down as a client.

Now imagine that he sues you for discrimination. Then, imagine that you lose this case and therefore lose your license to practice as a CPA, thus creating huge obstacles in your life. Should you truly be punished for standing up for your convictions that not only you, but everyone you know believes in and agrees with?

Finally, imagine the same scenario except that the conviction you feel so strongly about is a religious belief and you feel strong enough about it not to want to serve someone who your god tells you you shouldn't.

You see, in America we have rights. Chief among these rights is the right to religious freedom. It's one of the rights our country was founded upon.

At this point I'd like to make very clear (not that I need to among any who know me, but) though I was brought up Jewish, I don't subscribe to any religion and indeed feel that I am actually ANTI-religious. I feel that ALL religions are inherently evil in nature (and I'm not using evil in any mystical supernatural god-y sort of way).

So, a lot is being made about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act that was signed in Indiana, which by the way is the 20TH STATE to sign in this sort of law since 1994. Indiana's seems to be perhaps the broadest in scope of these. There are many that have even seen the inside of a court room: A police officer in Oklahoma claimed a religious objection when he refused to police a mosque. A photographer in New Mexico used religious freedom as a defense for not serving a lesbian couple in 2013. Another police officer in Salt Lake City cited his "religious liberty" when he refused to police a gay pride parade.

To be honest, my question is, WHO THE HELL CHOSE TO FILE THESE LAWSUITS?

Look, if I went to, say, a restaurant and was refused service because I'm Jewish, or because I'm under six feet tall, or because my eyes are brown, I would not file a discrimination suit. I would go to another restaurant, never return to the one which offended me, and badmouth it every chance I got. Why file suit? So that I can eat there knowing that the only reason I'm allowed is due to a court order? Do I feel winning that sort of case will make the owner of the business respect me and be more tolerant towards others like me? Will I get a petty sense of pride knowing that I put someone who I feel is in the wrong out of business? We in America litigate WAY too much and for reasons we should absolutely not be allowed to! But, that's another article.

On the flip side, let's say I'm that cop who refused to police the Pride Parade and I got fired for it. I sue the force to get my job back citing this law. Well, hey, it's part of my job as a Salt Lake City policeman to patrol any and every place in the city of Salt Lake. If I can't do this duty for whatever reason (religious included) then I'm not fit to serve on the force. End of story. Guess I should have thought about my religion before I swore to serve and protect every person in the city.

In my mind there is a difference between prejudice and intolerance.

Everyone is prejudiced... EVERYONE. There are very few Ghandi-like people in history who (supposedly) love everyone equally and to the utmost. Don't think you're prejudiced? Did you accept every offer for a date that you ever received in your life? Do you consider every person you know an equal friend? EVERYONE DISCRIMINATES. Maybe it makes you feel superior to know that you don't base your discriminations on a certain few criteria, but it makes you no better than those who do.

Everyone is prejudiced.

We cannot expect people to rid themselves of their prejudices. However, in America, we can expect them to rise above their prejudices. Because when they don't, it can lead to intolerance. Intolerance is using your prejudices to attack or deny another of his or her rights.

Perhaps this is where it gets murky. Because, why do you feel you have the right to walk into my business, no matter what that business is, and expect me to serve you? Seriously, why do you feel you have this right? Because I own a business? Aren't you taking away the rights of the business owner? Why do you feel this is ok?

On the other hand, we live in a democracy and let me explain to you what that means: If ONE more person in the country votes a certain way than the opposite, EVERYONE has to abide by that majority's rule. Doesn't matter if you know in your heart that whatever was voted for is right, wrong, or otherwise. We have rules in place to allow more votes in the future, but until more people feel another way (and vote for it), it's the law and we must all abide or suffer the consequences.

Thus, if we voted that to own a business you are legally not allowed to deny anyone service, then that is how you must run your business. That's not a law and I feel it never should be. Hell, if I want to open a business and serve no one, it should be my right. I mean it's not like you HAVE TO BUY from me if I own a business. Why should I HAVE TO SELL to you? I honestly believe if I wanted to place a sign in my store reading, "I do not serve minorities of ANY kind", that should be perfectly legal. I mean, if you saw that sign, why would you want to patronize the place anyway, and if no one did, it would go out of business as quickly as the shop that denied service to everyone.

So how do I feel about the RFRA in Indiana? I feel it SHOULD be unnecessary. I feel large businesses, defined as those with over 500 employees, should probably have to abide by SOME CERTAIN anti-discriminatory laws. Though really, if I own a multi-billion dollar corporation why shouldn't I be allowed to hire those I feel are best equipped to handle the different positions within it as opposed to a certain amount of minorities and handicapped who may not be the most capable or qualified? Or why shouldn't I be allowed to staff it with only my friends whether they're good at the jobs they hold or not. It's my damned company!

As for small businesses, I feel they should be able to hire whomever they choose and serve whomever they please with no fear of a court beyond the court of public opinion whose rulings, as we all know can be just as harsh, fickle, and illogical as those from any Supreme Court...

Rant On Women #1

Ok, women. Oh, I know what you think, after all the horrible experiences I’ve had with them. But I don’t hate women. Hell, no one could have dated so many if he didn’t like em, right? Though you’ll come to your own conclusions I’m sure. I’ve already been labeled (wrongly, I feel) a child hater because of my last article (which condemned parents, not children, but whatever).

There’s so much I could write about women, but this treatise is about what I see as the ‘Female Sense Of Entitlement’. Or, feeling she is deserved of anything simply because she is a woman.

We can start with this: I don’t like it. And I don’t understand why so many women have it. Or have it so severely.

If you’re not aware of this phenomena let me give you a few personal examples:

#1. I used to jog at night around my city block. It’s about a mile and half all the way around. At one point I’m on a major street that has a row of stores. One of them is Kulak’s Woodshed which has live music at night so sometimes people will hang out in front of it while I’m running. So, one night I turn onto this section and see in the distance three folks standing abreast pretty much blocking the entire sidewalk. But, it shouldn’t be too big of a deal. I ran for nearly a quarter of a mile straight toward them. Surely, they’ll see me and step aside to allow me the minimal space I need to pass by. As it turns out there are two guys who have their backs to me and a girl who is facing me. It’s night, but hardly dark on this main street. As I get closer I make definite eye contact with this woman who never stops talking for a second. Suddenly I am upon them. I’m so flabbergasted that she hasn’t stepped aside or even made her friends aware that I am coming that I almost smash into them. I’m able to jump off the curb and into the road, swerve around the group and mumble “you fucking asshole” loud enough for her to hear. Her friends hear my footsteps (and my cursing) at the last second and both guys spring out of the way immediately. Alas, it’s too late, but I appreciate the gesture. The look on her face is unmistakable. She has no idea whatsoever why I am upset. No clue why I would possibly expect her to move even an inch for me. Why exactly did she feel entitled to the entire sidewalk that could have easily fit us all?

#2. I was at the airport, don’t recall where I was coming from or going, but I went to the desk to ask for a first class upgrade because, well, why the hell not. Turns out there was one first class passenger who had not checked in yet and if he didn’t that prized seat would be mine! I gave the chick my name and we began chatting a bit. After a few minutes a very pretty young woman who was seated nearby that I’d been semi-flirting with (eye contact and smiles only) strolls up to the counter and inquires about an upgrade. The clerk tell her that there is only one and this young man (meaning me) already has dibs. This fucking arrogant chick turns to the clerk and says, “Oh he’ll let me have it.” Just like that. And let me tell you something; it wasn’t a question. It wasn’t said jokingly. As I’ve stated, it wasn’t even directed at me. There was long enough of a pause that she eventually looked at me and added, “Right?” I’ve got to admit, I became quite angry, quite quickly. Those of you who know me know that I’m probably one of the last truly chivalrous men alive. Also, I’m a total pushover for a hot chick. If she had asked me for that seat, I’d give you good odds that I’d have probably smiled and said, “Fine”. But, this was too much. Instead, I simply said, “No” with as much disdain as I could muster (which was a hell of a lot). This lady had the gall to get offended. She huffed and puffed and stormed off. Why exactly did she feel entitled to the seat I’d already claimed?

#3. (And this has happened to me plenty of times, though this is an extreme case) I’m taking a chick out to lunch; Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles (don’t knock it if you’ve never had it). It was my first time there and it was AWESOME! Anyway, this was our first meal out together. Now, if I invite a girl to have a meal with me, I expect to pay for both of us. HOWEVER, I have a problem if she expects this too. I understand many believe that it’s a man’s job to pay for dates just as it’s his job to ask the woman on the date in the first place. I couldn’t disagree more. Where does this sense of entitlement come from? I’ve yet to have a sufficient explanation. Back to the date; not only does she not offer to pay (which I would have immediately refused) she doesn’t even say thank you despite the fact that I gave her ample opportunities. Now, I’ve dated some attractive women in my life, but this girl was smoking! And I’m very proud to say that I never went out with her again even though month’s later she was still calling and leaving messages saying, “We should really go out again, I had such a great time with you at Roscoe’s”. I’ll bet you did. Why does this woman feel entitled to free meals?

My theory is that women are brought up from birth being told every day that they have certain rights which can not be taken away. The above are just a few examples of those rights in action. And the more attractive the woman the larger the entitlement becomes. Actually, that’s not true. The more attractive a woman thinks she is, the larger the sense of entitlement. We all know women who think they’re all that and we look and them and go ‘what the fuck?’. I personally feel the whole thing stems from a sort of sexual superiority in that women basically feel their pussy is such a prize men should have to jump through whatever hoops they set up. What really kills me is that men DO IT… Thus perpetuating this horrible circumstance. Women use this deviant skill set so often I think their manipulation becomes almost unconscious at times.

Men are so not like this. I go to the grocery store and have about fifteen items in my basket. A young lady walks up to the check out line with only a bottle of milk. She goes to the back of the line, but I let her cut me. The woman behind me with a cart full of goods asks if she can go ahead too and I refuse. This woman thinks I’m horrible, but come on. The first lady will take 30 seconds to check out. This other one will take far longer then I will. Now reverse this and I have only a candy bar in my hand and am behind a lady with groceries to feed an army for a week. It never even occurs to her to let me jump ahead since it’ll take me seconds to get through. I’ve been to enough grocery stores to see that WAY more men are polite in this way then women. And it’s not just pretty girls that guys let skip ahead, it’s anyone who only has one or two things and is stuck behind someone with a lot more.

At this juncture I would like to point out that I don’t believe all women are like this. Many are humble and polite and don’t feel they should be privileged unless there is a valid reason.

In my experience, most have that entitlement thing in spades.

I normally open doors for girls I’m with. I suppose it’s my own fault when they come to expect it. When the moment arrives that my hands are full as we approach a door and she stands there waiting for me to open it, isn’t there something wrong with that??? That has happened to me, by the way, and I never take it very well.

It’s hard for me to blame women for this behavior even though I hate it. Hell, if I could get away with being an asshole and benefiting from it constantly, I’d do it too. No, I blame MEN. If they would stop being such pussywhipped dickheads much of this problem would vanish. It’s also funny to me that some of the biggest proponents of women’s rights that I know are those with the most enormous sense of entitlement. They want equality, but only when it suits them; Only where they feel inferior in their lives. In the places where they feel superior the status quo is just fine thank you very much…


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