Don't Ask, Don't Tell
diversity, equity and inclusion: nounDiversity, equity and inclusion are among the political clarion calls of our modern culture.
A set of values and related policies and practices focused on establishing a group culture of equitable and inclusive treatment and on attracting and retaining a diverse group of participants, including people who have historically been excluded or discriminated against — Merriam-Webster
I read an article today about how the original Star Trek series received criticism for including no female speaking parts in an episode entitled “The Devil in the Dark."
In the 60’s, Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek was experimenting with all kinds of possible futuristic scenarios while promoting going beyond current cultural boundaries, but apparently sometimes fell short. Diversity, equity and inclusion has been on the forefront of the minds in the media, politics and the wider culture for quite some time.
The word diversity can rattle some people's nerves. Even so, I think most agree that all people should be treated equality and fairly, regardless of race, creed, color or sex.
On March 6, 1961 President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 10925, which included a provision that government contractors "take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin. (the word ‘sex’ was added by President Johnson in 1965 in Executive Order 11246 )" The intent of this executive order was to affirm the government's commitment to equal opportunity for all qualified persons, and to take positive action to strengthen efforts to realize true equal opportunity for all. — LINKEqual employment opportunity is the law. However, Diversity and inclusion – at least at the time of this writing – are not mentioned in federal law.
"Don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) was the official United States policy (not a law) on military service of non-heterosexual people. Instituted during the Clinton administration, the policy was issued under Department of Defense Directive 1304.26 on December 21, 1993, and was in effect from February 28, 1994, until September 20, 2011 – Wikipedia.DADT was considered demeaning by the non-heterosexual, and was eventually rescinded in 2011. But, same-sex marriage, with it's benefits for healthcare, etc., was still not recognized by the federal government. Finally, on June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-sex marriage, legalized it in all fifty states, and required states to honor out-of-state same-sex marriage licenses in the case Obergefell v. Hodges. It effectively legalized same-sex marriage everywhere. And today, the Defense Department extends benefits such as health care and Basic Allowance for Housing to all married service members, regardless of sexual orientation.
Apparently there is the general lack of inclusion in health care in the non-Federal sphere:
We’ve come a long since the original Star Trek dipped it’s tender foot in the direction of diversity, equity and inclusion.
I don’t intend to offer my opinions about any of the hot issues above, because that is not the intent of this article. What I want to address in this cultural spirit of diversity, equity and inclusion is the apparent heated compulsion by some to denigrate and demoralize those who think differently about religion, politics or any other opinion firmly believed by otherwise well-meaning people.
When I started Ex-Christian.Net, it was with the goal of providing a safe haven for those who were in the process of or considering the possibility of leaving Christianity. To be an ex-Christian has only one requirement: no longer believing in the Christian message or mythology. That’s it.
Being an ex-Christian does not mean:
It seems to me that people who have shed the dogmatism of hellfire religion should be the last people to be sucked into the chaotic whirlpool of political opinion. Religious beliefs are promoted as truths, but in reality they are opinions based on flimsy evidence and cringe-worthy apologetics. Modern political campaign platforms are similar. Political campaigns are human constructs filled with emotional rhetoric promoting various highly charged opinions. If religious or political ideologies were provable truths, there would not be so many conflicting variations that are in perpetual conflict and flux.
When I began to leave Christianity in 1999, I was fearful of others finding out. I was confused about what I thought. I had been brainwashed since a child to believe without question every word in the Bible. I had been taught to trust my elders and pastors. I wanted to do the right thing. I wanted to please my God. Leaving Christianity after 30 years of devotion was traumatic. I started this website in 2001 in order to connect with others like me, who had come to an intellectual crisis of faith. I felt alone.
The design argument for the universe, abortion, same-sex marriage, LBGTQ rights, etc., etc., etc. I was not in any place to discuss these issues with hardcore proponents on either side of these issues. What I was sure of at that time was that Christianity is just another human created religious construct that was very early hijacked by ancient rulers who thought the burgeoning cult would be useful for their purposes.
So, as we enter another controversial Presidential election season, I would hope that here, at least, cooler heads might try to prevail when it comes to opinions. Regardless of the short-term outcome of the upcoming election, the long-term future is not clear. If George Washington or the other founders of the American Revolution could have foreseen the way the next 250 years would unfold, I wonder if some of them might have had second thoughts about leading their 13 colonies to war. The world of 1776 bears little resemblance to the world of 2024.
In a world that is apparently striving for healthy diversity, equity, and inclusion, let's remember to foster understanding and respect within the ex-Christian community. By embracing diverse viewpoints here we are supporting those navigating their journey out of the faith. If we say we have escaped the trap of religious dogmatism, let's also avoid the trap of political dogmatism. I'm not suggesting silence or some form of DADT if our opinions differ. Instead, let's simply attempt to ensure a safe discussion haven for those who are questioning and leaving Christianity. Here, if nowhere else, let's strive to tolerate the multiplicity of distinctions that are a foundational part of any true free thought, even if and when ex-Christians disagree.
As of January 1, 2023, a new law protects the right of Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Intersex (TGI) Californians to access Gender-Affirming Care. Senate Bill 923, authored by California Senator Scott Weiner, is known as the TGI Inclusive Care Act, and was signed into law by Governor Newsom last fall. — LINKAnd of course there's the current discussion regarding including transgender people in sports.
We’ve come a long since the original Star Trek dipped it’s tender foot in the direction of diversity, equity and inclusion.
I don’t intend to offer my opinions about any of the hot issues above, because that is not the intent of this article. What I want to address in this cultural spirit of diversity, equity and inclusion is the apparent heated compulsion by some to denigrate and demoralize those who think differently about religion, politics or any other opinion firmly believed by otherwise well-meaning people.
When I started Ex-Christian.Net, it was with the goal of providing a safe haven for those who were in the process of or considering the possibility of leaving Christianity. To be an ex-Christian has only one requirement: no longer believing in the Christian message or mythology. That’s it.
Being an ex-Christian does not mean:
- Becoming an atheist, an agnostic, a deist, a pantheist, a pagan, etc.
- Joining the Democratic, Republican, Independent, Libertarian, Socialist or any other party.
- Being in support of one side or another of any hot-button politically charged topic.
It seems to me that people who have shed the dogmatism of hellfire religion should be the last people to be sucked into the chaotic whirlpool of political opinion. Religious beliefs are promoted as truths, but in reality they are opinions based on flimsy evidence and cringe-worthy apologetics. Modern political campaign platforms are similar. Political campaigns are human constructs filled with emotional rhetoric promoting various highly charged opinions. If religious or political ideologies were provable truths, there would not be so many conflicting variations that are in perpetual conflict and flux.
When I began to leave Christianity in 1999, I was fearful of others finding out. I was confused about what I thought. I had been brainwashed since a child to believe without question every word in the Bible. I had been taught to trust my elders and pastors. I wanted to do the right thing. I wanted to please my God. Leaving Christianity after 30 years of devotion was traumatic. I started this website in 2001 in order to connect with others like me, who had come to an intellectual crisis of faith. I felt alone.
The design argument for the universe, abortion, same-sex marriage, LBGTQ rights, etc., etc., etc. I was not in any place to discuss these issues with hardcore proponents on either side of these issues. What I was sure of at that time was that Christianity is just another human created religious construct that was very early hijacked by ancient rulers who thought the burgeoning cult would be useful for their purposes.
So, as we enter another controversial Presidential election season, I would hope that here, at least, cooler heads might try to prevail when it comes to opinions. Regardless of the short-term outcome of the upcoming election, the long-term future is not clear. If George Washington or the other founders of the American Revolution could have foreseen the way the next 250 years would unfold, I wonder if some of them might have had second thoughts about leading their 13 colonies to war. The world of 1776 bears little resemblance to the world of 2024.
In a world that is apparently striving for healthy diversity, equity, and inclusion, let's remember to foster understanding and respect within the ex-Christian community. By embracing diverse viewpoints here we are supporting those navigating their journey out of the faith. If we say we have escaped the trap of religious dogmatism, let's also avoid the trap of political dogmatism. I'm not suggesting silence or some form of DADT if our opinions differ. Instead, let's simply attempt to ensure a safe discussion haven for those who are questioning and leaving Christianity. Here, if nowhere else, let's strive to tolerate the multiplicity of distinctions that are a foundational part of any true free thought, even if and when ex-Christians disagree.
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