Religious Based Bigotry Causes Real Harm

Some readers think I am too hard on the Christofascists and too dismissive of their "deeply held" religious beliefs.  I would argue that I am in no way too hard on these people - people who cling to what is little more than myth and superstition and who, in the process inflict very real harm on others through the discrimination and bigotry they help keep alive.  In contrast, my criticism merely points (i) the errors and falsity of the Bible and (ii) the hypocrisy that is synonymous with conservative Christians.  As for the harm done to others, a piece in Youth Health looks at the health and mental health harm done to LGBT teens because of bullying, social stigma and discrimination they face.  Here are some highlights:

It revealed that nearly half of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) teenagers had considered killing themselves or suicide in the past 12 months. This rate is alarming because it is four times higher than among heterosexual or straight students.

LGB students were twice as likely as heterosexual respondents to be bullied in school and in the community in the last 12 months or one year.

"It's important to note the health challenges experienced by Colorado's LBG youth are not due directly to their sexual orientation or gender identity, but rather the bullying, societal stigma and unfair barriers they face each and every day."

Hence, LGB students need counselling and someone to talk to in school or in their homes for them to feel safe. The most surprising finding for Nickels had something to do with bullying. "It turns out that 6% of heterosexual students reported they'd been bullied by people who thought they were gay, reminding us this affects all kids and this pattern of behavior makes people feel unsafe."

And these figures only cover LGBT teens.  Add data on homeless LGBT youth and the job and housing discrimination that LGBT adults face all too often and the amount of harm mushrooms.  Real lives harmed or in some case ruined - all so that Christofascists can feel smugly superior and continue their embrace  of ignorance.