The best place to start with the question “what is a bigot?” would be the dictionary. The Merriam-Webster dictionary says:
Bigot: a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially: one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance
But the reality is that it’s more than a definition. Sometimes it’s used to brand those who are ignorant and that I disagree with. If I meet a Roman Catholic or a Mormon and they were to tell me that same-sex marriage is against their beliefs I would not immediately brand them as anything. But if I’m told this by one of their Bishops then I have to go whoa, this person is a bigot.
What’s the difference? The difference is one is paid to teach their flock, needs to be a professional and should simply know better. The member of the parish or congregation is listening to those who are supposed to know stuff and accepts what they hear as fact. Seriously, it takes no time at all to learn about homosexuality in the real world outside the Bible with the internet today. Even within the Bible frequently there are alternate interpretations as to what is written. To be involved in the church leadership and still remain ignorant of homosexuality is foolish. If you are a church leader, ignorant of homosexuality and spout off about it like you knew something then you are a bigot.
Please don’t misunderstand me when I said I wouldn’t brand anyone a bigot who went to church and was told false information. If they open their mouth on the subject and are subsequently corrected on their information and still still beak off about the horrors of homosexuality or transsexuality then I’ll still be willing to wave the bigot brand in their direction.
I suppose I could write about this subject more but it’s discouraging how so many people can make up their minds about someone based on false information and, even when told it’s false, they will not accept the new information or even check the information their opinion is base on. If it means I might use the bigot brand unjustly you can be sure that I will listen to new information and set it right.
Teresa
The problem here is that your interpretation of what the words of the bible mean is just one of many interpretations, each of which is valid in the eye of the beholder. To label these people bigots for their beliefs opens the door for them to label you (and others) as misguided, sinful, or whatever term they want to use.
Interpretation is often a matter of ‘what I don’t like’ is wrong, as in wrong for others to believe or do. As a christian I do not judge others – it is not my place under the eye of our Lord.
One thing I’ve noticed is Christians are very judgmental and have been for centuries. As for the “opens the door” I’m sorry to say that the door is wide open. Christians have already labelled LGBT people as misguided and sinful not for who they are but for what they are. But Christians are good at that I’m ashamed to say. If you don’t judge others then I find that commendable. More should follow your path through life.
Teresa
I believe that the greatest of my shortcomings is willful ignorance and the belief that my truth is “the truth.”