>>I read something about Indiana and religion in a headline in the NYT and skipped over it.
>>What happens in Indiana generally means very little to me and people's opinions about religion in Indiana mean even less.
>>
>>I realize that's a flip reply but if people on either side of these non-issues would just close their ears, most of them would go away after a few hours.
>>As you say, people do criminal things over this nonsense while serious issues go unattended.
>
>Sorry, Bill, but it's not okay to ignore this stuff. Here's the analogy (and I know I'm bringing Godwin's Law into play). It's November, 1938 and you saw something about attacks on Jewish shops in Germany in the NYT, but what happens in Germany generally means very little to you and people's opinions about religion in Germany mean even less.
>
>The so-called "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" in Indiana was a direct attack on the rights of gay Indianans and other gay people who visit Indiana. Allowing it to stand would have given license to bigotry to spread farther. As Americans and as human beings, we have a responsibility to stand up and call out bigotry where we see it.
>


Seems appropriate to quote Martin Niemoller:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.


You probably won't be surprised that a framed copy of that quote hung in my parents' house.

Tamar