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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Won't some please think of the bigots!? <clutches pearls>

59 replies

CrapsWithBears · 20/05/2013 10:51

[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10067062/Gay-marriage-could-stop-Christians-becoming-teachers-or-doctors-church-leaders.html Here.]]

Bigots may be put off from working in certain careers for fear that if they share their bigoted views whilst carrying out their job, it will not be tolerated.

The poor dears!

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Original poster
CrapsWithBears · 20/05/2013 10:52

Well that was Blush. Here!

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DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 20/05/2013 10:57

Surely if it stops bigots becoming teachers, HCP etc it can only be a good thing? Confused

Obviously have no issue with christians working in those roles. I know plenty of people who belong to one religion or another who are NOT bigots.

Original poster
CrapsWithBears · 20/05/2013 10:58

Exactly what I am thinking, why should someone be denied the right to marriage because a bigot can't keep their trap shut when working in a professional role.

You're perfectly entitled to your beliefs, you're NOT entitled to discriminate against others based on those beliefs.

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cory · 20/05/2013 10:59

Funny how they never worry that traditional marriage will put atheists off becoming nurses, doctors, teachers etc.

Especially as practising Christians are probably a minority in this country, and bigotted Christians are a minority among practising Christians.

As a married woman I expect to be able to go the surgery as Mrs Cory without getting a lecture on the immorality of the marriage service by any atheist nurse who may be taking my blood pressure or peering up my backside. So I don't see why this isn't a reasonable expectation of any bigotted Christian who may be working in the same surgery.

jacks365 · 20/05/2013 11:00

Do I want a bigoted teacher teaching my children their views? No. Do I think a doctor should refuse to treat someone due to bigotry? No. If they can't leave their personal views at home they have no right to be in the job.

Original poster
CrapsWithBears · 20/05/2013 11:01

Exactly Cory, I know a lot of anti-theists who work in professional roles. They would never lecture anyone about the evils of their religion, as they see it, because it's not part of their job and it's none of their damn business.

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Flobbadobs · 20/05/2013 11:01

They should change the headline from Christians to bigoted arseholes. I know many Christians (including a vicar) who aren't bigots.

somebloke123 · 20/05/2013 11:03

"Do I want a bigoted teacher teaching my children their views? No."

The thing is though that to label anyone who does not share your views or world-view as a bigot is in itself a fairly blatant display of bigotry.

Original poster
CrapsWithBears · 20/05/2013 11:03

Very true as well Flobbadobs I know a lot of gay Christians, I know straight Christians who support gay rights, I know Christians who personally don't like homosexuality but don't think it's their place to judge anyone or deny them rights, I even know a Muslim who supports equal rights. Religious != a bigot.

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Original poster
CrapsWithBears · 20/05/2013 11:04

'The thing is though that to label anyone who does not share your views or world-view as a bigot is in itself a fairly blatant display of bigotry.'

If you're homophobic, you're a bigot. Are you actually accusing people of being bigoted against bigots? Hmm

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OddBoots · 20/05/2013 11:05

Anyone more bothered about restricting the rights of others to live as they wish than about how they live their own lives is choosing to remove themselves from society and the jobs therein.

CloudsAndTrees · 20/05/2013 11:05

Shouldn't people in any profession keep their personal opinions to themselves anyway? Whether their opinions are bigoted or not is irrelevant surely, being professional in many jobs means doing the job without bringing your own personal opinions into it.

Original poster
CrapsWithBears · 20/05/2013 11:06

Very true Cloud.

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Original poster
CrapsWithBears · 20/05/2013 11:07

I'm also interested why they think it's a free speech issue if people aren't allowed to express their bigoted views whilst working. Would it be a free speech issue if a work place fired someone for calling their clients 'cunts' to their face, why is it a free speech issue if they're fired for saying that a person's homosexuality is a sin?

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MarmaladeTwatkins · 20/05/2013 11:07

SomeBloke, go and look up bigot in the dictionary. Hmm

Making a stand against bigotry is what decent people do.

cory · 20/05/2013 11:08

I am happy for my children to be taught by teachers who do not share my views.

But if they are so wedded to their views that they cannot contemplate taking a job where their view is not the only one allowed (which is basically what we are talking about here), then imho that makes them bigotted.

That is what we are talking about here. Not about whether it is allowed to be a Christian in the workplace- of course it is!- but whether not being allowed to impose your views on others counts as persecution.

somebloke123 · 20/05/2013 11:11

Crapswith bears

You're begging the question.

You are simply asserting that someone who has a different view to yours is a bigot.

Many people believe, whether from religious reasons or not, that homosexuality is wrong. I personally disagree with such people. However they are entitled to their views provided they don't try to impose it upon others.

There are also some who, though not homophobic, do not think that the term "marriage" can apply to same-sex couples. Again they are entitled to their views and to express them.

MarmaladeTwatkins · 20/05/2013 11:11

To some people, the right to speak bile about persecuted minorities is worth more than the right of those minorities.

It makes me want to opt out of being a human sometimes.

cory · 20/05/2013 11:11

Those who think it is persecution if Christians are not allowed to express their views on other people's sinfulness, would presumably also think it persecution if the other people weren't allowed to express themselves freely on the subject of Christian beliefs?

jacks365 · 20/05/2013 11:12

Fair enough then I'm a bigot. I have a problem with people who want to restrict other peoples rights due to age, gender sexual orientation, race etc.

I still don't want my children teaching that it is ok to treat someone differently because they are gay or any other reason.

Original poster
CrapsWithBears · 20/05/2013 11:13

If you believe homosexuality is wrong, you're homophobic, whether they try and impose them on others or not. When did I ever say they are not entitled to that opinion? They are entitled to their opinion and I'm entitled to call it homophobia, which it is.

If you don't think that gay people should be allowed a marriage, you're homophobic. Period.

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Original poster
CrapsWithBears · 20/05/2013 11:14

That message was to somebloke obviously.

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AMumInScotland · 20/05/2013 11:14

I do hate headlines about what "Christians" do, specially when the article eventually mentions that it is one particular group of church leaders who think this - not even a reasonably representative group.

If people cannot separate their own views from behaving politely and even-handedly to others then they should pick a line of work where that isn't going to be a problem.

cory · 20/05/2013 11:15

"You are simply asserting that someone who has a different view to yours is a bigot.

Many people believe, whether from religious reasons or not, that homosexuality is wrong. I personally disagree with such people. However they are entitled to their views provided they don't try to impose it upon others."

Yes, but the link we are discussing is not about that. The worries of the reverend archbishops, pastors etc are that Christians will feel persecuted if they are not allowed to impose their views on others.

Binkybix · 20/05/2013 11:15

Somebloke - yes, they are entitled to their views. I query whether they should have a right to express them in a professional capability. They can go for it in their personal life, obvs, as long as they're prepared for those views to be countered.

I think that asserting that gay people should not be allowed to marry is trying to impose your views on others.

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