Mark Figley’s view in the May 10th issue of The Lima News sees the opposition to the North Carolina bill (HB-2) attempting to force people to use bathrooms against their gender as “a combination of elitist-minded forces.” He suggests they are unconcerned about “discrimination against people of religious faith.” He worries that ‘predators” will use “an anti-discriminatory bathroom policy to traumatize/victimize women and children.”
Transgender people have been around for a long time. We’ve been allowing people to use the bathrooms according to their gender and haven’t had problems from that policy. Of course most people were unaware of transgender people until some politicians made it a new wedge issue.
A CNN-ORC poll in April revealed most people oppose such bills (57% to 38%). Even Republicans are split evenly on the issue (48% to 48%).
Yes, we should be concerned about “discrimination against people of religious faith?” I am upset when women are attacked or ridiculed or excluded for wearing a hijab. (Or reported as suspicious when taking pictures at a mall while wearing one.)
What about the people who are uncomfortable with transgender people using bathrooms which match their gender? What about people who are offended by women wearing slacks instead of dresses? What about people who don’t like same sex marriages? I would say that none of those things are discrimination against religious people.
There are some cases where we have restricted the free exercise of religion. Ask a Mormon about the free exercise of religion or a snake-handler or a Native American about sacred land or, for that matter, sacred mushrooms. Should all these be viewed in the same way? The fact is that things in the real world are complex. Trying to fit everything into simple categories and simple solutions is asking for trouble. The world is complex and needs to be approached carefully and thoughtfully. Not everything is a nail, even if all you have is a hammer.
— James Bode, Lima
