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I answer, "only I can allow something to affect me."


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(Gimster)
In the abstract, I totally agree with that, Gimster. It's primarily how I keep from getting offended (most of the time, LOL!).


I "LOL'd" at "most of the time", too. I like to think I don't let myself get offended, but I know I do sometimes (especially when it comes to one of my parents). It's how I handle the offended feeling that has changed so dramatically. I analyze the cause and try to work with effect. It may take a while, but I usually "gitterdone."

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However, I know of instances where people's beliefs (sometimes motivated by religious viewpoints and sometimes not) have caused great harm to others in this country and in this time. A lesbian friend of mine was dragged behind a truck to get her to change her ways. And Matthew (in Wyoming) was hung on a barbed wire fence and left to die (in a bizarre image of Christ's death) because he was homosexual.


I'm not trying to make excuses for these people, but I believe there are other things going on with them. There are more Christians who feel bound by God's laws who don't take action than there are that do. The people who take action have something else going on inside their heads, a brutality and/or anger that need/s a cause and an outlet. There will be few, or no, jewels in the crowns of those who choose to hurt God's children, imo.
Without going into detail, I'll share that (via family) I'm no stranger to either of the controversial issues you mentioned. I've had to do a lot of rethinking to make those family connections work. It's often hard to reconcile beliefs with love. It's hard work - mentally and emotionally. With an earnest desire, tho, it can be done.

Incidents like those you mentioned seem to overshadow the good other loving people do. This is sad to me. But it's a fact, there are unbalanced people in every slice of humanity.