On Saturday, I had the privilege of engaging in a lengthy Twitter discussion with Charles C. W. Cooke, a writer for the nominally conservative National Review online. You can see our discussion on his Twitter feed here.
Two things are striking to me about our dialogue. One is that a website as conservative as National Review claims to be would feature a writer who so aggressively supports the entire homosexual agenda. He considers the views of those of us in the pro-family movement to be “abhorrent.” With friends like these...
Second, he has little or nothing to say in reply to the facts and the research I bring forward. His strategy, when he has no answer, is to change the subject.
The discussion began when I explained to someone else on Twitter that the Republican Party came into being to fight two battles: “to prohibit...those twin relics of barbarism, polygamy and slavery.” Thus the GOP was founded to fight for the protection of one-man, one-woman marriage.
So, by all means find Fischer’s views on homosexuality abhorrent. I do myself. But let’s not accuse him of “lying” when he’s not. (Note: he wrote this in response to the accusation that I was lying when I said the GOP was founded to protect one-man, one-woman marriage.)
It appears support of homosexuality has creeped in to the conservative ranks. Misguided, at best.@charlescwcooke@BryanJFischer
Bryan Fischer@charlescwcooke@SeamusTx The normalization of homosexuality should be opposed on public health grounds alone.
@BryanJFischer@SeamusTx Do you hope to ban alcohol?
@charlescwcooke@SeamusTx No. Drinking in moderation is not a risk to public health, but drunkenness is, e.g. while driving.
@BryanJFischer@SeamusTx Should we outlaw consensual drunkenness in the home?
@charlescwcooke@SeamusTx Nope, but we shouldn't celebrate it either. Leads to domestic abuse and destroyed lives.
@charlescwcooke Since health risks are similar, our public policies toward substance abuse and homosexuality should be similar.
@BryanJFischer And those should be . . .?
@charlescwcooke Let's consult with the leading experts in helping people overcome substance abuse and learn from them.
@BryanJFischer What is your view on the private ownership of firearms?
@charlescwcooke Same as the Founders. "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
@BryanJFischer What about the 30,000 people per year who die from suicide (two thirds) and murder (one third)?
@charlescwcooke If folks are bent on suicide, they will find a way, guns or no guns. You want to ban the private ownership of rope?
@BryanJFischer Point is, other organizations say there’s no good side to alcohol or firearms. You’re putting your finger on the scale.
@charlescwcooke Drinking in moderation is fine. Firearms are for self-protection. But Homosexual behavior is self destructive.
@charlescwcooke People protect themselves every day in their homes from lethal assault with a privately-owned gun.
@BryanJFischer True. That's the upside, among others. There's upsides to drinking too. But you don't factor any in with homosexuality.
@charlescwcooke That's because there is no "upside" in homosexual behavior, any more than there is in IV drug abuse.
@BryanJFischer Except for the liberty and happiness of millions of people.
@charlescwcooke But the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association says LGBTers are at elevated risks of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.
@BryanJFischer I’m tempted to say that your sort don’t help with that. But either way, that’s not an invitation to deny them liberty.
@charlescwcooke The same problems exist in Scandinavian countries where homosexual behavior has been celebrated for decades.
Charles C. W. Cooke @charlescwcooke
@BryanJFischer You seem to believe that this is a choice? Is that a fair assessment of your position?
@charlescwcooke Sexual behavior, except for victims of rape, is always a matter of choice.
@BryanJFischer 88,000 people a year die from excessive alcohol use. 30,000 from firearms abuse. How many from homosexuality?
@charlescwcooke You can check with the CDC on that. Men die tragically every day from HIV/AIDS, acquired from having sex with other men.
@BryanJFischer How many? You said it was similar to alcohol. What's the number?
@charlescwcooke CDC: "An estimated 13,712 people with an AIDS diagnosis died in 2012," total since epidemic began: 658,507.
@BryanJFischer On its face that's one-sixth of the alcohol-related deaths. And how many of them contracted it through gay sex?
@charlescwcooke What, in your view, is an acceptable number of deaths caused by men having sex with other men? For me, the answer is zero.
@BryanJFischer Except in extreme cases, I think that people must be free to make their choices and to face the consequences.
@charlescwcooke I agree. But that doesn't mean we should give society's highest endorsement to self-destructive behavior.
@BryanJFischer I will note for the record that you didn't answer my question. Also, again, you seem to apply this standard inconsistently.
@charlescwcooke My view is entirely consistent. As a matter of public policy, we should not celebrate any behavior that is self-destructive.
@BryanJFischer That, of course, is because you disapprove of homosexuality. That's fine. But playing the externalities game is dishonest.
@charlescwcooke I disapprove of homosexuality for the same reasons I oppose intrvenous drug abuse, the 2nd highest risk factor for HIV/AIDS.
@BryanJFischer What is "society's highest endorsement"?
@charlescwcooke Calling marriage based on the "infamous crime against nature" the equivalent of natural marriage.
Charles C. W. Cooke @charlescwcooke
@BryanJFischer I’m tempted to say that your sort don’t help with that. But either way, that’s not an invitation to deny them liberty.
@charlescwcooke No one is denying them liberty. The problem is the insistence of the gay lobby that society approve of what they do.
@BryanJFischer You keep flitting between society and the state.
@charlescwcooke There is no difference when the state demands that all of society approve of homosexuality.
@BryanJFischer Okay. We’re going around in circles. As I say, all you’re arguing is that you see no value in one but do in the others.
@charlescwcooke And I am saying biology, genetics, social research and the laws of nature and nature's God should be our guide.
@BryanJFischer If this is to be our standard we will end up subjugating our liberty to the latest studies. This is not how America works.
@charlescwcooke Our policies should be guided by the laws of nature and nature's God. Research simply confirms what God has already said.
@BryanJFischer That’s putting your hand on the scales. We’re just going around in circles. I’ll wish you a good Saturday and duck out.
@charlescwcooke And may you have a good Saturday as well!
