For many years we have seen how liberals and progressives on college campuses have been successful in shutting down dissent. We are now seeing more examples of this in all of society, especially after the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage decision.
A few newspapers say they will no longer allow letters to the editor that oppose gay marriage because it is a fundamental right. Most news organizations have apparently adopted an editorial position that same-sex marriage is the only viable political position. And while we are talking about newspapers, some papers now refuse to print letters to the editor that question climate change.
In the past we have seen what happens to anyone who will not participate in a same-sex ceremony. Photographers, florists, bakers, and jewelers are on notice. There were those who refused in the past before the Supreme Court decision. Now gay activists are looking for anyone or any business that might now refuse. They will make an example of those people in order to shut down dissent.
Consider what happened to Brendan Eich, the CEO of Mozilla who donated $1,000 to Proposition 8 (the California ballot measure defining traditional marriage). When it became public that he had given that donation, he was forced to resign. He has been used as a public example so that gay activists can shut down dissent.
Catholic Charities was forced out of the adoption business first in Massachusetts and now in other states. Although they could not in good conscience place a child in a home with same-sex couples, they were always willing to refer couples to an adoption agency that would do so. That was not enough. Gay activists and government officials could not allow even that limited amount of dissent.
And don’t forget Chick-fil-A. Mayors in cities like Boston and Chicago made it clear that this restaurant chain had no place in their cities merely because the family that owns the chain supports traditional marriage.
These attempts at shutting down dissent must be met with boldness, conviction, and discernment.