For me, it's really a matter of definition. Last week, the California Supreme Court cleared the path, which allows for gay marriage.
Marriage to me, is religious. Marriage is the union of a man and a woman, sanctioned by a holy and religious body. That's it. A Civil Union is a union between two people: man/woman or same sex. So with my definition, even if a man and a woman were to get 'married', or form a union in a non-religious setting (i.e. court, Justice of the Peace), it's not a marriage, but a Civil Union. So, marriage = religious ceremony sanctioned by a religious body (i.e. Church, Synagogue, Mosque, Temple, etc.). Civil Union = civic (i.e. State) ceremony that is non-religious. Even if two people call themselves 'religious', but don't get married in a religious setting, then it's still a Union.
With that being said, I see nothing wrong with two people who love each other forming a Civil Union. As a philosophical conservative libertarian, I believe primarily in the right of the individual. I'm as repulsed and annoyed of a heterosexual couple making out and disrobing each other in public, just as I am with a homosexual couple doing the same. It's private, and I don't want to see an X-rated display (PDA is ok, but within reason).
Yes, we hear the conservatives and traditionalists screaming to the high heavens how this is the end of America, and how God will punish, etc. They point to the same Biblical verses to support their point. Fine. But in reviewing those arguments, look at the context in which they were written. They basically refer to making idolotrous sacrifices by using sex (homo and hetero) as sacrifices. Sex without responsibility, or the non-acceptance or realization of that responsibility, is just as sinful and evil in the eyes of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Not to get into that here, but I find it hard to believe that a God who is supposed to be loving, will send someone to Hell because they happen to be attracted to the same sex, and want to form a union and/or family. And that's a main point: FAMILY. There are families lead by homosexual couples who are just as wholesome and positive, as heterosexual couples.
I challenge any 'conservative' on this. Tell me how gay 'marriage' will lead to the detriment of society? As long as an agenda is not pushed on me, just as I don't want any religious agendas pushed on me, I'm fine with it. If these gay couples pay their taxes, contribute to society, not break any laws, and live lives as productive, good American citizens, then what's the problem? Just as we need to respect those who may be different than the majority (i.e. heterosexuals), then the minority (homosexuals) need to respect the majority.
I'm not excited about the gay marriage rulings in California or Massachusetts. Nor am I actively pushing for a constitutional amendment either. No amendment should be instituted in the Constitution excluding someone's rights. People pushing for a Constitutional ammendment to me is like pushing a religious agenda. Gay 'marriage' is inevitable. And if this is somehow leading to our society's detriment, and if God damns this, then leave that up to God and the couples. And here's another point: such is between God and the individual.
Shabazz Wilson
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A Calling & a Reflection
This morning I felt the Spirit,
and was overcome with emotion.
Seemingly, for no apparent reason,
then again, there's always a reason,
that I was called in quiet solitude,
to reflect and pray, and listen.
The days are longer now,
and my daily routines become everyday now,
motions that seem to have little to no meaning,
seems to have some meaning to someone somehow.
I've so often lately, actually for some years now,
taken my Self for granted.
I come alive here and there,
and reflect, and live and just be,
but always seem to take my Self,
and everyday for granted.
Of course I'm grateful, always grateful,
for having, when others do not.
But it's time now.
Sometimes when I listen,
He speaks to me,
in the most unassuming, unordinary,
and unexpecting ways.
An old colleague
saw me at the gas station,
and thanked me for helping her friend.
I'm only a therapist, and nothing more than that.
I don't expect thank yous. I don't expect much from what I do.
But today,
for some reason,
He's been calling.
He's been calling for some time,
and I've been to stubborn,
too scared,
too ornery to listen.
Years ago,
I ceremoniously knelt,
and then laid on my stomach,
arms spread,
in the accompaniment of a few,
as I was robed
and hooded,
and made an oath,
in the place
of my spiritual birth,
to Something Other:
to love,
to serve,
and to serve unconditionally,
to the Greater Glory...
But now is the time.
As I re-learn to appreciate,
the deeper meaning
of His calling,
expecting nothing,
giving of Self,
and rededicating
my oath,
of service,
in love,
to the Greater Glory...
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
Shabazz Wilson
and was overcome with emotion.
Seemingly, for no apparent reason,
then again, there's always a reason,
that I was called in quiet solitude,
to reflect and pray, and listen.
The days are longer now,
and my daily routines become everyday now,
motions that seem to have little to no meaning,
seems to have some meaning to someone somehow.
I've so often lately, actually for some years now,
taken my Self for granted.
I come alive here and there,
and reflect, and live and just be,
but always seem to take my Self,
and everyday for granted.
Of course I'm grateful, always grateful,
for having, when others do not.
But it's time now.
Sometimes when I listen,
He speaks to me,
in the most unassuming, unordinary,
and unexpecting ways.
An old colleague
saw me at the gas station,
and thanked me for helping her friend.
I'm only a therapist, and nothing more than that.
I don't expect thank yous. I don't expect much from what I do.
But today,
for some reason,
He's been calling.
He's been calling for some time,
and I've been to stubborn,
too scared,
too ornery to listen.
Years ago,
I ceremoniously knelt,
and then laid on my stomach,
arms spread,
in the accompaniment of a few,
as I was robed
and hooded,
and made an oath,
in the place
of my spiritual birth,
to Something Other:
to love,
to serve,
and to serve unconditionally,
to the Greater Glory...
But now is the time.
As I re-learn to appreciate,
the deeper meaning
of His calling,
expecting nothing,
giving of Self,
and rededicating
my oath,
of service,
in love,
to the Greater Glory...
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
Shabazz Wilson
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
The Welfare State
It's all around me. I grew up with it, lived in it, worked in it, and now work with it -- well sort of. Social services and the Welfare State. I'm a psychotherapist, no longer a social worker.
Everybody struggles at some point. Poverty is real, and exists not only in foreign lands, but in the U.S. as well. Pure, hardcore poverty. Its causes are very pervasive and complicated. Solutions are even more extremely difficult and complicated. But I see it everyday.
They're called 'underserved', unfortunate, poor, economically disadvantaged, disadvantaged, etc. They're no lazier than the average upper middle class person, or no more dangerous than the Columbine killers. An Outsider may feel nervous in such neighborhoods, and so might others who live there. No one should have to live in such places, and experience such economic injustices, especially children. No one. But after a while, you start to think. You start to ask questions. I've been 'thinking' and asking questions for years. But it also gets to a point.
Have many of the poor been oppressed and discriminated against? Absolutely. Are there many services that they are not able to take advantage of because of their economic and environmental situations? Absolutely ... well....
Maybe it's because I've worked in social services, but there seems to be many resources available to the 'underserved.' You just have to do a lot of homework, and a lot of problem solving to identify resources. But yep, it seems that there is a resource for well, just about anything. Ok, so I'm exaggerating, but well.... maybe not so much. And that's a huge challenge. Many of the poor may not know how to access such resources, or feel comfortable enough with advocating for themselves, for whatever reasons. Very understandable. But here are some main points.
Much of the struggling middle class don't qualify for scholarships, grants, financial assistance of any kind (i.e. bills, fuel, summer camps/recreational programs, higher ed., etc.). Even good State health care is available to the poor (i.e. minors, WIC and welfare reciprients), but not middle class children, for example. Sure, much of the poor don't qualify for loans (i.e. auto, home, etc.) with good and competitive rates, but someone from the middle class with many bills and obligations might not either.
And politicians, social workers and the like wonder why so many become angry and seemingly hostile to the poor. They wonder why many are frustrated with 15 and 16 year olds having babies, and then collecting government assistance for thier bad decisions. They wonder why many complain about high taxes, especially payroll taxes that come out of their pay checks. They wonder why many in the middle class are angry, synical, and tired of being disenfranchised.
The poor and the middle class don't need another politician, or another I Have A Dream speech, or another Obama. The middle class and poor don't need another government program either. You want to help the poor? Help them to help themselves. The 'rich' needs help too.
Shabazz Wilson
Everybody struggles at some point. Poverty is real, and exists not only in foreign lands, but in the U.S. as well. Pure, hardcore poverty. Its causes are very pervasive and complicated. Solutions are even more extremely difficult and complicated. But I see it everyday.
They're called 'underserved', unfortunate, poor, economically disadvantaged, disadvantaged, etc. They're no lazier than the average upper middle class person, or no more dangerous than the Columbine killers. An Outsider may feel nervous in such neighborhoods, and so might others who live there. No one should have to live in such places, and experience such economic injustices, especially children. No one. But after a while, you start to think. You start to ask questions. I've been 'thinking' and asking questions for years. But it also gets to a point.
Have many of the poor been oppressed and discriminated against? Absolutely. Are there many services that they are not able to take advantage of because of their economic and environmental situations? Absolutely ... well....
Maybe it's because I've worked in social services, but there seems to be many resources available to the 'underserved.' You just have to do a lot of homework, and a lot of problem solving to identify resources. But yep, it seems that there is a resource for well, just about anything. Ok, so I'm exaggerating, but well.... maybe not so much. And that's a huge challenge. Many of the poor may not know how to access such resources, or feel comfortable enough with advocating for themselves, for whatever reasons. Very understandable. But here are some main points.
Much of the struggling middle class don't qualify for scholarships, grants, financial assistance of any kind (i.e. bills, fuel, summer camps/recreational programs, higher ed., etc.). Even good State health care is available to the poor (i.e. minors, WIC and welfare reciprients), but not middle class children, for example. Sure, much of the poor don't qualify for loans (i.e. auto, home, etc.) with good and competitive rates, but someone from the middle class with many bills and obligations might not either.
And politicians, social workers and the like wonder why so many become angry and seemingly hostile to the poor. They wonder why many are frustrated with 15 and 16 year olds having babies, and then collecting government assistance for thier bad decisions. They wonder why many complain about high taxes, especially payroll taxes that come out of their pay checks. They wonder why many in the middle class are angry, synical, and tired of being disenfranchised.
The poor and the middle class don't need another politician, or another I Have A Dream speech, or another Obama. The middle class and poor don't need another government program either. You want to help the poor? Help them to help themselves. The 'rich' needs help too.
Shabazz Wilson
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
City to Country Life
I am intrigued by the city.
It's lights,
it's sounds,
it's furies.
It can be unforgiving,
and delightful,
surprising
and so familiar.
I've lived
in the city
for much of my life,
and have spurned
the city,
and yurned
for a more simple life.
But I grow
more attracted
to country life,
and the simple
and not so simple
pleasure it provides.
Travel is not always
so convenient,
and life moves slowly
in the country.
But my soul is there.
I've lived a great part
of my life
in the country,
and embraced,
and embibed
in its capriciousness.
Farms and ranches,
manure
and swim holes,
bonfires and barn bashes.
A different life,
Different lives are there.
I've loved and laughed
and learned to be a man
in the country.
I've tired of the city,
its ghettos,
its pervasive visciousness.
It's time to go back,
to live,
and live,
in the country.
It's lights,
it's sounds,
it's furies.
It can be unforgiving,
and delightful,
surprising
and so familiar.
I've lived
in the city
for much of my life,
and have spurned
the city,
and yurned
for a more simple life.
But I grow
more attracted
to country life,
and the simple
and not so simple
pleasure it provides.
Travel is not always
so convenient,
and life moves slowly
in the country.
But my soul is there.
I've lived a great part
of my life
in the country,
and embraced,
and embibed
in its capriciousness.
Farms and ranches,
manure
and swim holes,
bonfires and barn bashes.
A different life,
Different lives are there.
I've loved and laughed
and learned to be a man
in the country.
I've tired of the city,
its ghettos,
its pervasive visciousness.
It's time to go back,
to live,
and live,
in the country.
Poem: Natalie
Natalie
There she is:
bright golden hair
blowing in the wind
arms spread
and body turning in a circle.
Incense and lava lamps,
crystals and vivid colors
live in your world.
A touch of greenery
and some flowers,
vegetables and no
animals -- cooked.
Sometimes I think
about what it would
be like
without her,
the gypsy gir.
Shabazz Wilson
There she is:
bright golden hair
blowing in the wind
arms spread
and body turning in a circle.
Incense and lava lamps,
crystals and vivid colors
live in your world.
A touch of greenery
and some flowers,
vegetables and no
animals -- cooked.
Sometimes I think
about what it would
be like
without her,
the gypsy gir.
Shabazz Wilson
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