Now we know why it's called Air-izona, not Ahr-izona.

As you, my faithful reader knows, I have been posting on what I think is a major error on the part of the Christian church--that being gay is, in moral terms, any different from being straight. But a quick digression here for breaking news.

I used to wonder why the state of Arizona was pronounced as if it started with 'Air', unlike say Arkansas. Now I know--it's short for Airheads.

I want to begin my post with this assurance--I'm not making this up. This is not some contrived slur to make citizens of that rather conservative state where a U.S. congresswoman was shot in the head for being a Democrat look worse than they are. This is real and you can read about it here: http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/02/21/arizona-passes-bill-letting-people-to-refuse-service-to-gays-over-religious-objections/.

That's right. The legislature elected by those noble and, apparently, very devout citizens, has passed a law letting businesses refuse to serve gay people if homosexuality is against their religious beliefs.

No, I'm not channeling 1960 when American businesses would place No Coloured signs on their doors and send African Americans to the back of the bus. And I'm not confusing a state of the Union with the Union of South Africa and the apartheid era. This is a considered act by a Republican-dominated legislature in 2014 to defend religious freedom:

Republicans who support the bill pushed back against accusations it would promote discrimination, saying they are solely attempting to ensure people’s sincerely held religious rights are protected.
“Within religion, people are to love each other,” said Rep. Steve Montenegro, R-Litchfield Park. “What we’re trying to do is make sure that we don’t force somebody to go against what they think is very sacred to their faith.”(Source:http://www.azcentral.com/news/politics/articles/20140221brewer-religion-bill-1062-controversial.html?nclick_check=1).

Very sacred to their faith? Something that goes beyond love? I wonder what that is. St. Paul's counsel to Christians was, So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. (Colossians 3:12-14).

This isn't religious freedom. It isn't a sacred belief. It's hatred. It's bigotry. It's discrimination of the highest order. Such beliefs as are espoused here are beneath contempt. They are indistinguishable from the rationalizations for racism or misogyny. Hitler had the same regard for the Roma, Jews, and developmentally challenged people as some Arizonians apparently have for gays.

I'm holding my breath for what comes next. The Jewish and Christian Scriptures are replete with lists of behaviours that are condemned on a regular basis. I'm waiting for those god-fearing (I won't say God-fearing because I'm not sure they know who the real God is) Arizona Republicans to pass an omnibus bill allowing businesses to discriminate against gossipers, materialists, adulterers, and slanderers. Perhaps they'll throw in the masturbaters while they're at it (although they had better check with their 16 year old sons first).

Beyond the issue of the moral and religious repugnance of this legislation, we have the practical matter of how to know when you are serving a gay person. Does one go by appearance? Rock Hudson probably could have avoided detection, not to mention Canada's own Ellen Page. Gestures? Clothing? How many straight women or men slightly to the left or right on the masculine/feminine continuum are likely to be challenged by a zealous merchant or lawyer or barber or shoeshine boy? Behaviour? I once watched a Russian hockey coach kiss every one of his players after a big win over their arch foes, the Canadians. Perhaps they could get some nice pink triangles from the purveyors of Nazi paraphernalia. That would simplify life greatly.

I have to hand it to Arizona, however. They have done the seemingly impossible. They have made McCarthyism look good.

Damn. I've tried to make light of the matter. But in fact, I think I'm going to be sick.