Note: By "radical Christianism" or "Christofascism," I mean the position that fundamentalist Christian views are true, fundamentalist Christian doctrine should shape public policy, and certain groups of people should be deprived of their civil rights because of these doctrine-based policies.
In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling granting equal access to marriage to same-sex couples, radical Christianists have claimed that this ruling--which abolished heterosexist discrimination in marriage (which they call "traditional marriage")--will create a slippery slope in which eventually polygamy, bestiality, rape, and even child molestation will become legal and eligible for marriage. These extremists' rationale is that since one "traditional" definition has been changed and one "immoral" act has been declared normal, this means all kinds of sexual practices considered deviant will eventually be condoned and legally sanctioned.
Debate questions: Is this radical Christianist argument rational? Will Obergefell vs. Hodges lead to a dystopia where sexual assault is legally sanctioned? Is the slippery slope argument a fallacy here? Is there ANY reason to believe that marriage for same-sex couples will lead to a nation where child molestation and rape are legal?
Radical Christianist slippery slope fears
Moderator: Moderators
-
tam
- Savant
- Posts: 6522
- Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2015 4:59 pm
- Has thanked: 360 times
- Been thanked: 331 times
- Contact:
Post #2
No (with polygamy as being the exception). It leaves out a couple of important points. One being that homosexual relationships/sex/marriage is between two consenting adults. One adult is not harming another adult, or forcing them in any way. There is no crime being done to another person.Is this radical Christianist argument rational? Is this radical Christianist argument rational? Will Obergefell vs. Hodges lead to a dystopia where sexual assault is legally sanctioned? Is the slippery slope argument a fallacy here? Is there ANY reason to believe that marriage for same-sex couples will lead to a nation where child molestation and rape are legal?
It could lead to polygamy being legal - but other than financial/tax reasons - I do not not see why polygamy should not also be legal. That is also between consenting adults.
Just because the government declares something legal does not mean someone has to do it. You can follow the edicts of your faith/conscience. You just can't force others to follow the same. Just as YOU would not want to be forced to follow someone else's faith/conscience.
(kind of the golden rule there)
Peace to you!
-
Wootah
- Savant
- Posts: 9469
- Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:16 am
- Has thanked: 227 times
- Been thanked: 115 times
Re: Radical Christianist slippery slope fears
Post #3[Replying to post 1 by Haven]
I think you are using a slippery slope argument yourself. Radical Christians are your slippery slope imagination of what happens when a Christian says what the Bible says.
Society is awash in the trauma of people suffering from their life style choices. What makes you think it will get better by legislating irrationality?
I think you are using a slippery slope argument yourself. Radical Christians are your slippery slope imagination of what happens when a Christian says what the Bible says.
Society is awash in the trauma of people suffering from their life style choices. What makes you think it will get better by legislating irrationality?
Proverbs 18:17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
Member Notes: viewtopic.php?t=33826
"Why is everyone so quick to reason God might be petty. Now that is creating God in our own image
."
Member Notes: viewtopic.php?t=33826
"Why is everyone so quick to reason God might be petty. Now that is creating God in our own image
."-
OnceConvinced
- Savant
- Posts: 8969
- Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:22 pm
- Location: New Zealand
- Has thanked: 50 times
- Been thanked: 67 times
- Contact:
Post #4
Child abuse and rape are never going to be made legal. Anyone who thinks they will is not thinking things through properly. We are living in a society now where child abuse is just becoming less and less tolerated, so to think that things like paedophila or rape would ever become legal is a load of nonsense.
Society and its morals evolve and will continue to evolve. The bible however remains the same and just requires more and more apologetics and claims of "metaphors" and "symbolism" to justify it.
Prayer is like rubbing an old bottle and hoping that a genie will pop out and grant you three wishes.
There is much about this world that is mind boggling and impressive, but I see no need whatsoever to put it down to magical super powered beings.
Check out my website: Recker's World
Post #5
[Replying to post 3 by OnceConvinced]
Well, one slippery slope no one seems to talk about is whether the legal age of consent to marriage should be lowered (or raised, whatever). I guess one could argue that if something so heretofore untoward as homosexuals (they really say we should say "gay" when that up-to-now denoted males of that proclivity and before that it indicated something else, funny I can't remember) getting married, therefore we should re-evaluate whether at least some younger people were suitable for marriage at earlier ages. People mature physically (puberty, it's called) at different ages, which means that some people are physically ready quite young and what is acting on this leads to pregnancy? That seems much more compelling that what SCOTUS has dictated. Plus it's in the Bible, as is polygamy. Lower the legal age does not require even redefinition of marriage, and polygamy is even in our time endemic in certain parts of the world (ironically in the very places where homosexuality may be punished by death either through legal means or mob violence).
So I "liked" the first two responses, guess I still do, but then I got to thinking about it....something I guess I got to stop doing....
Well, one slippery slope no one seems to talk about is whether the legal age of consent to marriage should be lowered (or raised, whatever). I guess one could argue that if something so heretofore untoward as homosexuals (they really say we should say "gay" when that up-to-now denoted males of that proclivity and before that it indicated something else, funny I can't remember) getting married, therefore we should re-evaluate whether at least some younger people were suitable for marriage at earlier ages. People mature physically (puberty, it's called) at different ages, which means that some people are physically ready quite young and what is acting on this leads to pregnancy? That seems much more compelling that what SCOTUS has dictated. Plus it's in the Bible, as is polygamy. Lower the legal age does not require even redefinition of marriage, and polygamy is even in our time endemic in certain parts of the world (ironically in the very places where homosexuality may be punished by death either through legal means or mob violence).
So I "liked" the first two responses, guess I still do, but then I got to thinking about it....something I guess I got to stop doing....
Post #6
Current trends in age cut-offs are to increase the age (to purchase cigarettes for instance) rather than decrease it, to prevent victimization. Children are more protected today than they've ever been (in developed, non-theocratic countries).Korah wrote: [Replying to post 3 by OnceConvinced]
Well, one slippery slope no one seems to talk about is whether the legal age of consent to marriage should be lowered (or raised, whatever). I guess one could argue that if something so heretofore untoward as homosexuals (they really say we should say "gay" when that up-to-now denoted males of that proclivity and before that it indicated something else, funny I can't remember) getting married, therefore we should re-evaluate whether at least some younger people were suitable for marriage at earlier ages. People mature physically (puberty, it's called) at different ages, which means that some people are physically ready quite young and what is acting on this leads to pregnancy? That seems much more compelling that what SCOTUS has dictated. Plus it's in the Bible, as is polygamy. Lower the legal age does not require even redefinition of marriage, and polygamy is even in our time endemic in certain parts of the world (ironically in the very places where homosexuality may be punished by death either through legal means or mob violence).
So I "liked" the first two responses, guess I still do, but then I got to thinking about it....something I guess I got to stop doing....
Equal access to marriage for same-sex couples seems to be inspiring a colorful variety of 'slippery slope' arguments against it. I don't buy that Christians with a high school education believe any of these 'slippery slopes', but use them as sound bytes or memes with less than honest intentions.
I don't mean 'lying', I mean propaganda. Transparent fear mongering. And if some DO actually take these slipperies seriously, and believe them truly 'causal' to marriage equality, they are preoccupied with some disturbing 'kinks'. Legalizing incestuous marriage (for instance) is so absurd it has to be some repressed but compelling imagination. Do Christians secretly wish to marry their sisters? Or their pets?
I really don't believe this (except for a little bit about the 'kinks'). So I conclude it is fear mongering, and fortunately is receiving the attention it deserves -- as entertainment. I'm not laughing myself, but I wonder if I should?
