Aware of my liberal stand with regard to current major social, moral and political issues, such as those related to abortion, euthanasia, political freedom and homosexuality, those of my friends who are conservative, by nature or religious belief, generally steer clear of these issues (so that the occasions of our getting together for meals and chat, can be the undiluted fun we want them to be).

But very occasionally, there is the ultra conservative person who, when I talk about somebody whose company I enjoy, says in shocked tones: ‘But how can you like him? He’s gay!’ Sometimes there is the body-language equivalent of this verbal expression of disapproval: a grimace, a rolling of the eyes, a slight shuddering movement of the shoulders.

I find such a statement as offensive as if the person had said: ‘How can you like him? He’s black!’ or ‘How can you go out with him? He’s Muslim!’ It is not only offensive, but inane, even downright idiotic, so I often choose to ignore it. For it is as meaningless as saying ‘How can you like him? He’s got red hair!’ or ‘How can you enjoy her company? She’s six feet tall!’

But I can totally understand the disgust in the protestation ‘How can you like him? He’s a Nazi/ paedophile/habitual liar/racist/ cheat/hypocrite/maid abuser, etc, etc’ For disgust is justified only by the violation of moral laws and humanitarian principles, never by this purely gratuitous thing called prejudice.

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About Vignettes...

A continuing flow of little, readable pieces that will constitute what I feel is an important 'legacy of values' to leave behind. Read more about Vignettes...