Live & Let Live


“Live and let live” is not an absolute. When Dirty Harry challenges his captive with “Make my day” and is counter challenged, then death is the result. If the Maryland snipers resisted arrest there would be no qualms if they were sent off in body bags. So with “let Muslims be Muslims” is prima-facie for religious freedom, yet does not mean they are free to hate, maim or kill. From the Dark Age to the Puritans, let Christians be Christians had to be qualified in face of fatal witch hunts and inquisitions, just as today in blowing up abortion clinics.

  So, too, with sexual preferences: let them be. If a couple of the same gender wishes to be married let them be married by civil ceremony. If they want God’s acceptance and some religious denomination accepts this then so be it. As for the prominent religions that will not acknowledge such a union, then that is the privilege of the sect, rightly or wrongly; the couple should get on with their lives.

If they should still feel strongly about their religion, they can still practice it discreetly — a gadfly only makes the matter worse — for homosexuals must also recognize that others too are entitled to their religious beliefs. However, gays should journey to self-dignity on a political level and demand their rights as a citizen, whereas, the religious aspect will take generations.