Can we talk? Yeah, if you'll listen

Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, is this week's essayist in the My Turn page of Newsweek. He is upset with the way we've been screeching at each other over gay marriage, rather than calmly discussing it. He voted for the Calif. ban but doesn't consider himself "the worst kind of fundamentalist" because he does support racial justice, gender equality, peacemaking, and care for the environment, things that the "worst kinds of fundamentalists" condemn. He feels relegated to the margins of the debate.

Even so, he wants to talk, not screech. Sit down with him and explain,

"What is it about people like me that frighten you so much? What would you need to hear from us that would reduce your anxiety? What is your vision of a flourishing pluralistic society? Where do people like me fit into that kind of society?"

Part of what Mouw says is correct. We do need to talk. And we can ask him the same questions. This indicates that we gays have not made our case well. We (just like many Fundies) are too inclined to screech.

Alas, from the other things Mouw says and has done, he wants us to hear him but he may have a difficult time hearing us.