New Puritans and Arizona Proposition 102

Yesterday my wife sent out some emails to our friends with a link to an article that supported proposition 102. One of our friends of 15 years sent back a scathing email, condemning my wife for intolerance, bigotry, racism and stupidity, none of which in any way apply. Fifteen years of friendship went down the toilet because of a difference in ideologies about marriage.

Intolerance is a double edged sword. Those of you who oppose Prop 102 on grounds of its intolerance would do well to clean out your own houses before condemning others for their beliefs. Otherwise you run the risk of joining the New Puritans. You know who I mean - the people who are haunted by the fear that somewhere, someone might be having an unapproved-of thought. And yes, you cling to your beliefs with every bit of the religious fervor of which you accuse the religious.

Our ex-friend won't talk to us anymore because her New Puritan religion didn't match our beliefs in protecting marriage. Her enlightened tolerance apparently doesn't include us or the value of friendship anymore.

What a sad state our culture will be in if the New Puritans take over the country and demand their doctrine of "tolerance."