Intolerance

"I have a deep seated bias against hate and intolerance none more so when attacked by the intolerant who try to claim the moral high ground and in doing so demonstrate their deep seated intolerance of anyone who does not share their opinion.” 

I’ve been on Twitter for over 8 years. Despite some very robust exchanges I’ve never felt the need to protect myself or lock my account. Usually just blocking is all that’s needed. Today it changed.

I hold strong opinions anyone who follows me know that. I’m not hard-wired politically (albeit I vote conservative), religiously, socially or environmentally. That puts people offside at times because I don’t always follow the tribe. I share information I find interesting and things I know concern peeps within my group. I don’t use foul language or attack people personally unless they attack me. Even then I prefer humour or clever sarcasm to try to defuse an argument.  If people who don’t know me form opinions about my morals or beliefs based on one tweet I’m couldn’t be bothered trying to correct them. It’s a waste of my time.

My comments on politics and politicians are direct and I pull no punches. My motto is, I own what I say how others perceive it is their problem not mine. There are people who will always read into comments what they want so they can turn my opinions into a cause to criticise and attack. It’s all too easy behind the anonymity of an avatar and a twitter handle.  

Today I was subjected to the wrath of the Twitter leftist hit squad; along with a fair smattering of troll/bots if their follower numbers are a gauge; under 10 followers.   It was in response to a post I made a few days ago about a parody colouring book depicting Santa as a black man in a gay relationship. Funnily enough not one person made a negative comment about the book being a parody. Proves they don’t read things preferring to pick the eyes out of a comment to find anything to justify their attack.

I wrote, “Santa is now a gay man with a black husband. I could literally cry over what we’re doing to kids it’s criminal.” Hands up I got it wrong, Santa is black his white husband fills in for him. I included a link to the story.

What triggered my concern was the publisher’s statement the book is for all ages. I don’t give a flying fig if Santa is black, white or green with red spots. I simply don’t see what value there is bringing SSM into it. Marketing this stuff to adults is one thing but I don’t believe it’s suitable for little kids? I make no apology for it and nor should I have to. Because people see things differently it is NO justification to verbalise, insult or bully me because I don’t agree. Let’s just agree to disagree. That’s how grown-ups behave.  

Funnily enough in replying to one person, “if it rocks your boat, fine”, I was summarily taken to task by another who said my reply wasn’t acceptable. This gentleman (given further exchanges perhaps not the best handle as he was rude and condescending) thought I should have condemned support for the book. I did stress it wasn’t my business to tell others what to think. In response I was summarily “dismissed”, his words not mine. 

So you are damned if you don’t and you are if you do. The weird world of social media!!

The naysayers were in full voice condemning the practice of telling children Santa is real. The atheists chimed in stating telling kids Santa is real is as bad as telling them about a “guy in the sky.” The “but Jesus is black” mob joined the party. I was branded a bigot, a racist, a homophobe, a RWNJ and a snowflake along with a few other descriptions not worth mentioning

I was told to do things to myself which would be a physical impossibility. A couple of people said they hope I burn in Hell. It was told I was mad, ignorant and I shouldn’t be allowed on Twitter. I was taken to task over SSM based on my condemnation of the City of Sydney giving free access to venues for SSM services if the law passes. When my posts clearly stated my objection was about equality.

I was hit with wave after wave of comments, accusations, threats, likes and RT’s which just resulted in more accusations and attacks. I had to turn the sound off on my iPad the ding, ding, ding was driving me insane.

It was as they say open slather. And all because I didn’t agree with the theme of a colouring book that will be sold as all age appropriate. How absurd it that????

I tried to defuse the onslaught with humour. That didn’t work. So in the end I locked my account. I’ll unlock it in a few days but for now I need to protect my sanity.

I make no apology for worrying about what we are doing to kids. Childhood is brief. Bit by bit adults are infringing on those precious years pushing their agendas on kids rather than leaving them to enjoy their few years of innocence. We see it here with the Safe Schools and banning so many things we took for granted as kids. Things like birthday cakes in schools. The book albeit a parody was simply a trigger and a reminder of the world we now inhabit.

Mention was made of lying about Santa Claus and then breaking hearts when kids find out the truth and how wrong that is. I take a different view. Fairy stories and traditions like Santa Claus teach us a lot about life. It teaches us about goodness and reward and recognition. It teaches children about humility and giving. It opens up our minds to the wonderment of fantasy which stretches our imagination. It teaches us about disappointment and how to handle it; we learn life isn’t always fair.

I’ve wiped the eyes of little kids who have never experienced the joy of Santa Claus but would have given anything to have done so. That leaves a lasting impression. I think about my own childhood and the excitement leading up to Christmas. The visit to Santa was always a highlight. Tracking Santa on Christmas Eve was magical. Where I lived Santa arrived by plane. I spent hours gazing at the sky for a sign of a light.  If wanting that for others is the worst crime I commit in life, then I’m doing OK.