July 16, 2017 (Steven O’Reilly) – To friends and family who know me, I am the biggest Beatles fan there might have ever been. At family gatherings, my brothers and sister roll their eyes when I blare the Beatles on my speakers. I am asked if my cell phone, via Blue Tooth “Jam” speakers, can play something other than Beatles. When asked if I have Pandora, I reply: “I deleted Pandora so I can put more Beatles on my cell phone.” Get this straight. . .I am a Beatles fan. I raised my four sons on the Beatles. They play guitar and piano. . .and it is all Beatles. Yes, I am even listening to Beatles as I write this article.
It was with great surprise and happiness I learned that my wife (Margaret) of twenty five years bought us tickets to a Sir Paul McCartney concert. This was her Father’s Day present to me. She paid $500 plus of our hard earned money for these two tickets. Sir Paul….are you reading this????? The concert was July 13, 2017 in the “Infinite Energy Arena” in Gwinnett County (Duluth) Georgia. Did I say we paid $500?
As a life-long Beatles, Wings and McCartney fan, this was my first experience at a McCartney concert – – ever. My first experience of Sir Paul live. . .and he was fantastic! It was a great concert. McCartney is a great showman and I mean this is the best sense of the term. He played many of the Beatles hits (opening with “Hard Day’s Night“) and those of Wings. He played great tunes like “Hey Jude” and “Golden Slumbers.” He and his band were fantastic. They know how to entertain an audience. He played for about 3 hours straight without a break. I can find no fault in their performances. Fantastic.
Yet, having said all the above. . .I came away from the evening greatly disappointed. Supremely disappointed, I must say. It happened at the encore (though there were hints before). Before their encore performance, Sir Paul and his band mates came running out on stage carrying the American flag, the Georgia state flag, the British Union Jack and the rainbow flag. The rainbow flag??? Really??? What the heck?? I thought it rude and presumptuous. Come on, Sir Paul. . .you cannot believe all Americans accept the homosexual lifestyle or same-sex marriage. Certainly, you must know a good many of your crowd disagree with you.
Sir Paul. . .Sir Dude. . .my wife paid $500 to take me to see you. I have paid that much for a plumber to come into my house. Yet, it would be exceedingly rude for a plumber to run around my house with a rainbow flag when I am paying such an exorbitant sum to fix a stopped up toilet. It would be rude of my plumber, Sir Paul – – it was rude of you. I would kick the plumber out of my house! I paid $500 a few weeks ago for a guy to remove tree stumps from my back yard. Even though he CUT my phone and cable lines in the process, he never thought – having done so – to run around my yard with a rainbow flag. Sir Paul: “Your mother should know.”
Granted, I recognize you are supremely liberal, Sir Paul. . .I get that. I always have. I could have guessed your opinion on gay issues – even without the rainbow flag incident. I didn’t need you to demonstrate it. You didn’t need to. I loved you for your music – – not at all for your politics or your position on the natural law. I thought that was one of the things that ticked you off about John Lennon – remember: “too many people preaching practices”? God rest John’s soul. . .but Paul. . .please don’t tell me you have become as insufferable as he was. You are free to believe what you want. But, heck, when we pay $500 for two tickets to sit in an arena for three hours – – we are your “hostages.” It is wrong to take advantage of that. Do not foist your world view down our throats! My wife and I paid to hear you SING. . .not to see you run around the stage with a rainbow flag. Brutta figura, Paul. . .as the Italians say.
Yet, even this was not all. There was a young teenage girl in the audience who displayed a “help me tell my family I am gay” sign. How do I and her poor family know this? We know it because Sir Paul called the audience’s attention to this sign between songs over his microphone. That is how. Again, I would not pay $500 for a plumber to come into my home to broadcast in my home his daughter is gay – – why, Sir Paul, do you think I would pay you $500 to do so? The sad thing is, I really think Sir Paul believes he was courageous for “helping” her. I do not think he really was. Paul. . .we can discuss that over a beer if you like.
Paul, you are a great songwriter, but you are politically correct. There is no bravery in that. You are a conformist. Would you have called some young girl on stage if her sign read: “Paul, help me tell my family I am Roman Catholic?” or “Sir Paul, help me tell my family I believe in the Ten Commandments”? Sir Paul, I doubt it. Frankly, you are full of ob-bla-di ob-bla-da. You showed zero courage and zero respect for your audience in this incident, expecting and presuming we must agree. So much for “too many people preaching practices.”
It may be heresy to Beatles fans – – and if so, I am a Beatles heretic. But, Paul – – I don’t know if you heard it, but I want you to know where it came from. It came from section 118, row R, seat 15. It was a “boo.” Something, I suspect, a Beatle has never heard. It was a “boo.” I never expected to “boo” a Beatle. I booed when you ran out with the rainbow flag. I booed when you had that poor young girl on stage to tell her father she was gay. I booed as loudly as I could. Sir Paul, if you read this. . .I am your greatest fan. . .but, I am God’s first.
(Steven O’Reilly is a graduate of the University of Dallas, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. He lives near Atlanta with his wife Margaret. He has four children. He has written apologetic articles and is working on a historical adventure trilogy, set during the time of the Arian crisis. Book one of the trilogy will be completed in 2017. Due out this fall. He can be contacted at StevenOReilly@AOL.com.)
Roma Locuta Est 
McCartney is obviously a very gifted songwriter and musician but in other aspects of life he is ignorant and he is also very immoral.
To show “solidarity” for the 49 killed in the homosexual Orlando night club shooting McCartney draped a rainbow flag around himself completely oblivious to the fact that the shooter was a “gay Muslim”. The Muslim’s wife testified that her husband was NOT having sex with here. In Islam sex with little boys is permitted and PBS did a documentary about this called, “The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan”.
Pray for McCartney’s salvation.
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Jim, thanks for the comment. It is not for me to say that McCartney is immoral. That was not what I meant to convey, or the purpose of the article.
I have heard a story or two of McCartney’s unseen charitableness (not told by him), which I think are absolutely wonderful – so I have no intent to knock him as a person. God will judge us all.
My specific complaint is that he presumed upon his fans, many of whom disagree with him on the politics and morality of same-sex issues. I invite a plumber in my house to fix the plumbing. If my plumber gabs away on leftist politics while he’s working on my sink, etc., I am not inviting him back into my house. I expect if a plumber goes to McCartney’s house, he wants him to plumb and not spout politics.
Celebrities are like that plumber. It is their skill in a particular area, e.g., music, acting or football, etc., that recommends them to us, and it is why we “invite” them into our lives like we invite a plumber into our home. If they are going to presume upon that invitation and its basis, and then make our interactions with them political or insult our sense of morals (especially with simplistic notions) – and not about entertainment, we will dump them. NFL stars are going to learn that fans -who ultimately fund their salaries, will eventually stop going to games, tuning in to watch them, etc.
God gave McCartney, I think, a great talent for music. As your example demonstrates, God gave him near about zero talent as a commentator on the affairs of this world. McCartney has forgotten why people pay to see him. He needs to not be so big-headed to think he is wise BECAUSE he is an ex-Beatle, i.e., shut up and sing.
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Could not of said it better. I’m huge fan of his music, of all their music. But I totally agree with you please keep that stuff in the limos and hotel rooms and private conversations. We don’t pay to hear or see it so I guess we are the minority in the crowds that go to these concerts but I am on board tradition’s train 100% #GodblessUsEveryone…
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I forgot to mention that my wife and I and our son-in-law saw McCartney in concert on Sept. 23, 2017 in Syracuse, NY. Our tickets were $475 each plus about $25 each for “ticket insurance”.
We enjoyed the concert and my son-in-law teared up a number of times during the show. However, that rainbow flag at the end took us off guard and was like a slap in the face to his fans.
Most people in the entertainment industry tend to be extreme left wing but some keep it to themselves. The best concert I have ever attended was Samantha Fish at the Cutting Room in NYC on July 25, 2017. She just got down to the business of playing her guitar, singing songs and tearing up the place with guitar riffs few women rock guitarists could duplicate (and which McCartney couldn’t equal either). She didn’t promote any left wing ideology and she graciously took the time to meet and talk with us, her fans, afterward. Oh, and the tickets were only $25 each (plus a minimum dinner and/or drink order).
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Yes, of course he knows he’s got narrow-minded, bigoted, reactionaries like you in his audience- that’s why he needed the flag.
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Clare; thanks for the feedback. If McCartney’s job is to proselytize his political beliefs, etc – then that ought to be advertised as something one ought to expect at the show. I thought I was going to hear a great musician sing. I don’t hire a plumber or a Workman into my home, etc., to have them then go beyond their craft to drone on about their beliefs or make demonstrations of things I disagree with – as if to hit me over the head with a two by four with them. I don’t suspect you’d want the same either if the shoe was on the other foot. That was not the transaction expected.
People who are given the mic or stage or time for one purpose, but then take advantage of that opportunity and of their audience for something else are a bore.
McCartney is a great talent. But, he was both wrong and a bore that night.
God bless,
Steve
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It surprises me that people like you exist, and still think gay shit has to be political. It’s already legal, I can’t see why anyone should care anymore for these things. It’s quite obvious why its okay.
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I didn’t make it political; he was the one running around with the flags. Thus; I guess you and I agree: McCartney was in the wrong…unless that is–despite your protestations to the contrary–*you* agree with politicizing it.
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I don’t blame you. I decided not to see him in my city in 1993 because of his animals being tortured film to be shown at the concert. I did see him in 2013 which was thankfully just a concert. And I sold my ticket for his 2018 concert after his disgusting remarks came out. It wasn’t just what he talked about but also the fact he had no discretion to keep quiet.
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He didn’t “politicize it” just by waving a flag. I’m betting that you are one of only a few that was bothered by it. I saw Paul a few days ago in Green Bay, WI. He brought out the flags there, too. And for the record, I don’t believe in gay marriage either. But people can’t help who they are attracted to. It even mentions this in the Bible. All he was doing is showing his sympathy for their struggles in just being accepted for who they are and what they are. There’s nothing wrong with that. If you were truly a “Beatle fan” you would have taken the time to get to know them by reading as much as you could about them. Doing that helps one to know where they are/were coming from. It also helps you to understand their music a whole lot better. A true fan accepts them for who they are and what they are. Even though we might disagree with them on some things, we still love them. You don’t have any idea of what that is all about.
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Carol, thanks for the feedback.
I think we’ll need to agree to disagree. Waving a national or state flag is simply a sign of respect to the locale of a concert. Nothing to see there.
However, the rainbow flag is associated with a political movement the members of which have certain expectations of and demands upon society and the rights of fellow citizens. Waving a rainbow flag around on a stage is “politicizing”. I don’t see how any can disagree with that observation. Aside from that, the argument could also probably be made that the use of the “rainbow” is itself religiously offensive to those who believe in the story of Genesis.
To your point, yes, McCartney was showing sympathy to that cause. I would have expected that is where his sympathies might be. No shocker given his, or the Beatles’ leftism in general. Yes, I knew about that, of course. One tunes it out mostly, regretting that otherwise great tunes were sometimes ruined by banal, moronic philosophy–such as found in Lennon’s “Imagine.” If McCartney had published a LBGT song, I would have attended the concert and rolled my eyes when he played it. But, I didn’t have the expectation he’d do the whole flag thing. Lesson learned.
But, while he is within his rights to carry on such flag-waving displays, I think it a sign of disrespect and misuse of the moment for which the audience “hired” him, so to speak. I hire a plumber to fix the pipes, not spout his political theory as he does so, or run around my home with any kinda flag espousing a political cause…i.e., “shut up and unclog the drain, dude.”
I agree, he is within his right, of course. However, I thought I was paying for a celebration of his and the Beatles’ great music (even some which exhibit lefty stuff I might disagree with). But, now I know he’s going submit the paying audience to a celebration of his political views via non-musical flag-waving demonstrations as well. Given that, I’ve opted out of his future concerts. I did have an opportunity to have great seats near the stage in Greenville, SC a couple weeks back. I turned them down without a second thought. No loss for McCartney. No loss for me.
Still love and listen to the Beatles music, Wings, etc. But, I’ll leave his political demonstrations of his political theory to others to live through–and, instead, I’ll listen to the old records instead.
Thanks for the comments.
Regards,
Steve
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He is not just a record. He isn’t going to just stand there and sing his songs in an exact order and nothing to make it more interesting inbetween. It sounds like you haven’t been to a concert before; there’s more to it than just singing. If waving a state flag is a sign of respect, then so is waving a gay flag. It’s legal, there’s nothing wrong with it. I really hope he didn’t do any jokes or anything inbetween songs because I’m sure you would get very agitated about that too.
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Anonymous, thanks for your feedback. Yes, I’ve been to other concerts. If I went to a Lennon concert while he lived, I suppose one would expect the peace activisim stuff, and maybe a peace symbol sign. However, there was no indication to expect this from McCartney. I suppose you wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow if he ran around with a papal flag, or paraded around with a crucifix, or showed slide of unborn babies in the womb, etc.
Regards,
Steve
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Steven. Young gay kids kill themselves because of posts like this. Shame on you.
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David, thanks for the comment. I do believe you’ve taken the non sequitur to a hyperbolic low. My article was about a political demonstration at an entertainment event.
But…even setting that aside….My expression of my opinion has no more credible association with suicide risk in individuals who engage in homosexual acts; than your contrary opinion does with suicides in young Folks struggling with their Catholicism.
If homosexuals have a higher suicide rate than some other segments of the population; then one should look within the homosexual lifestyle for the answer — rather than blame others for pointing it out. After all; if being an active homosexual was self evidently a fulfilling life; what others might say or believe about it all would not matter. That simply demonstrates that homosexual acts are fundamentally against what is written on the hearts of all. Flag waving, parades, outlawing treatments for those wanting to leave the lifestyle, or shutting up folks who point all this out will not drown out one’s conscience — no matter how much tries.
God bless,
Steve
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ok boomer
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Ok, Joe. God bless.
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lmao i was there that night dude. you probably won’t believe this but i was a part of the family that went up on stage after her wearing the sgt. pepper outfits. anyways i just wanted to drop by and say that him supporting the lgbt+ community is not a way to conform to politics, it’s him showing support for a group of people who are often treated as though their attraction or identity makes them less human or not deserving of respect. in fact, the beatles’ manager, brian epstein, was gay, and he supported him back in the 60s when they were treated as dangerous or mentally ill. also, you stated that you do not accept the “homosexual lifestyle” (whatever that means) or same-sex marriage. i don’t really understand how you could like a man that wants people to love themselves and others and spread peace, and then say “well i don’t really accept gays because it’s wrong.” isn’t paul just trying to spread peace and love? is it so wrong for him to want people to be accepted no matter their attraction or gender? i’m really at a loss here.
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Danny, thanks for the comments.
Of course the parading of a rainbow flag is political, Certainly McCartney is entitled to his beliefs, but fair warning should have been given to his audience that his concerts were to now be political events for causes, which — I am sure — a significant portion of his fan base object to.
Some of McCartney’s causes I was previously aware of…and I always assumed he was a bleeding heart liberal, and would have assumed he was in favor of “homosexual rights.” However, I would never have imagined him running around with a rainbow flag…especially given how he seemed to detest Lennon’s political antics (“Too Many People…”).
Most folks come to hear his talent…not to be forced to witness an unexpected political display–no matter it be a specifically conservative or liberal cause. I am sure you might have been upset if he paraded a crucifix or carried a banner with “Romans 1:26-27” emblazoned upon it. So spare me the pretended sanctimony.
Yes, as a Beatles fan, I was previously aware of Brian Epstein’s homosexuality–and as I indicated above, certainly would have assumed they favored “homosexual rights.” But unlike many on the left nowadays and their faux tolerance of diversity, conservatives aren’t into cancel culture. My complaint was quite specific. It was not that McCartney should not mix such politics in his shows, it was only that If McCartney or any artist is going to do this sort of thing–fans should be forewarned by the artist so they can make their purchase decisions accordingly. That is entirely reasonable. I can’t imagine how you cannot understand that simple, precise point.
My wife had seen him years before…and he didn’t engage in these antics. But…now having seen this is his new thing to do,..I now consider myself ‘forewarned.’ Being forewarned, I will now make a different decision. In fact, I later had an opportunity for a couple of great seats at another McCartney concert. I thanked my friend for the offer…but said “no thanks.” No skin off McCartney’s nose. None off mine. Still a fan though. I am not into cancel culture–I recognize his right to speak out. All I would suggest to him, or any artist–like I said about the plumber–if you are are going to mix politics with your profession…you need to forewarn your customer. That is right and fair.
I still listen to McCartney and the Beatles because they were excellent song writers. But…they were/are lousy philosophers and moralists.
Thanks for the comments.
God bless,
Steve
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Hi Steven, it’s totally fine for you to have your own political opinions, I’m not going to try to change that, but you have to realise, we’re in very different times now and the LGBTQ+ community really needs the support of others to thrive and feel accepted in a community. You may not be thrilled about Paul’s act of support on stage but when I read about it I felt so proud of how far he’s come, because in past interviews from the 80’s/90’s He was shown to not know much about the issue of gay rights, and it was fantastic to see him up there, unconditionally supporting LGBTQ+ rights. I don’t think it’s fair to ask to be warned about that stuff in advance, because LGBTQ+ people certainly aren’t warned when they are attacked, verbally assaulted and shunned by the people they love. When I ride to town to see my friends, I’m not warned of the people that are going to shout slurs at me and scream at me for simply ‘looking gay’ to them. You need to understand the hate and bigotry directed towards young LGBTQ+ people is still on such a massive scale. LGBTQ+ people are three times more likely to have mental health issues, and four times more likely to attempt suicide then the average person. This has nothing to do with them being gay, it has to do with the hate they receive for it. Over 80% of LGBTQ+ youth get bullied specifically for being queer, and the hate and lack of acceptance at an early age has shown to take a terrible toll on their mental health later in life. Don’t blame their bad mental health on how their gay, see that it’s the unaccepting people around them that’s caused that.
I think way more people in the crowd felt accepted, happy and proud of who they were rather than personally attacked by a rainbow flag. Please don’t compare your experience at the concert to a plumbers, a plumber is under someone else’s employment most of the time and that comes with a certain set of rules, and it’s ridiculous to compare a plumber who you hire to do a private job, and a person who you a paying to see perform in a public place. If that is part of his show, it’s part of his show. He’s showing support for an often marginalised and hated community and that outward support in a big public place causes a lot more good than harm. At the end of the day it’s his show, and he decides what happens on stage, not the audience. They are paying to see HIS show, not their show.
One of the reasons I’ve truly loved the beatles is their support for one very important message, peace and love. Their solo careers have been incredible in spreading that message and being very open and honest men. Every day at school I experience extreme homophobia from teachers, students and staff without even ‘engaging in homosexual activity’ in school, and people like Paul, showing love and support for our community can really make a difference,y by telling us, ‘hey, it’s all right, we love and accept you’. It makes people feel safe and welcome, and I don’t understand why spreading the message of peace and love makes you feel so offended.
Peace and love, Em
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Em, thanks for the feedback.
I disagree with the suggestion the LGBT community needs “support” to “feel accepted.” This ‘community’ seems to have done very well for itself, and in advancing its policy objectives — in my view, foisting its view and policies upon society (e.g., Same-sex marriage, adoption, etc). Hollywood, the media, Big Tech, a good many politicians, etc., are all in on the LGBT worldview. However, even this does not seem enough.
The “community” long pretended it just wanted to be accepted–just wanting “tolerance” of its lifestyle, However, “tolerance” for the community tends to mean that no one is allowed to believe the lifestyle is inherently, objectively wrong. For a Christian, “tolerance” should mean we can live and work in the same society peacefully, even when we don’t agree with the other. Now that the LGBT community has achieved a larger degree of social acceptance — it has shown its intolerant side, changing its practical definition of “tolerance”. Now, “tolerance” means no one is allowed to believe LGBTQ lifestyles are morally wrong without being “cancelled”, even if we all live and work peacefully alongside the other in the same society. For example, there’s even a movement afoot – pushed by some in the LGBTQ community – for the Biden administration (should it succeed in stealing the election) to try to force religious schools to teach “gender identity” (e.g., https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/religious-schools-must-accept-gender-identity-lgbt-activists-tell-biden-58536).
Ultimately, the problem for members of the LGBTQ ‘community’ is that they are at war with reality — and thus, their own consciences. At its core the disparate groups of “LGBTQ” deny the objective (and obvious) reality that men are men, and women are women, and each are in their very nature created, by God, for the other. The sexual faculty and act is in its very nature oriented toward the transmission of life. Around this, natural, personally healthy relationships, and families are formed, The denial of this reality is to war against God, nature, and ultimately oneself.
But all that aside…there are many opposing political and religious views in society. As important as these debates may be, it is nice to set those aside from time to time, and to simply come together to enjoy a moment of relaxation. In moments of music, sports, etc., people on opposite sides can come together and share something they might not ordinarily do because of their opposing views. Unfortunately, the left tends increasingly to want to insert politics into these events (e.g., taking the knee in football, politics in Oscar ceremonies, etc.).
Certainly, McCartney had the right to do what he wanted, but as I have argued….it was nonetheless wrong for him to do so — without first warning his audience before they purchased tickets.
But…I am forewarned now. I continue to enjoy McCartney’s and Beatle music; but I now take a pass on opportunities to see him in concert.
Thanks again Em for taking the time to respond. God bless you.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Steve
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Hey Steve, happy Christmas to you too, hope you’ve had a wonderful time.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community I can totally settle for tolerance, and what you call the Christian definition is the normal definition for most people, but Paul and so many others aren’t fighting for tolerance, they’re fighting against the injustices and prejudice still shown towards the community today. For example, conversion therapy is still legal in over 30 states (an experience leaving many suicidal, mentally ill and often dead), many people are still denied healthcare for their gender identity and so many are still affected by hate crimes simply for loving another person. I totally agree that we have made so many advances in social justice for queer people on a legal level, but that doesn’t excuse the things that are still wrong.
I think eduction is so important for these issues as there would be such less of a taboo and so many less stigmas around the community then there are today. If my school educated people about gender identity and sexual orientation I think me and so many others would have had so much less of a hard time.
As for you saying that men and women are attracted to each other and only each other, I will provide articles and studies at the end and I would seriously appreciate if you would read them to further understand the ins and outs before saying it’s unnatural :).
As for trans people, they have gender dysphoria, which is a diagnosable condition that can be treated through presenting in a more masculine/feminine/androgynous way depending on how you feel dysphoric. People think they’re living a lie because you can’t change your gender, but by definition, gender is different than sex. Your sex is your biological makeup, ie chromosomes, body parts and internal organs, whereas gender is either of the two sexes (male and female), especially when considered with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones. The term is also used more broadly to denote a range of identities that do not correspond to established ideas of male and female. People can change gender because it’s a basically a social construct. (I will also provide articles and studies at the end to support this)
All in all, I think it’s so important for our youth to be educated on these matters to further understand the science and social aspects behind these things. I respect religion and religious people and their teachings, and I also believe that we should be educated on social issues and the actual science behind them.
Hope you’ve had a wonderful christmastime (excuse the reference), and happy new year! Peace and love.
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Em,
Thanks for the response. I am not looking to get into a long debate on the issue. But, I have some brief takes on a few things you said in your reply.
I don’t accept the characterization that McCartney is fighting “injustice”, though I would concede he thinks he is. The problem here, as I alluded to in my prior response, is the underlying objective reality of how “we” ought to conduct ourselves, and our societies during our lives. For example, where McCartney might say it is an “injustice” to outlaw same-sex marriages, adoptions, etc., I think the opposite — i.e., it is wrong and unjust to allow such things…indeed…evil to do so.
The “education” you speak of on such things strikes me as nothing less than indoctrination. For example, I cannot see how you can argue for freedom, yet at the same time deny conversion therapy to those men and women who desire to experience it. If they wish out of the LGBT lifestyle, by all means they should have freedom to find help where they can.
As for unnatural, I am saying the purpose of the sexual act, of its very nature, tends toward procreation. That is not to say every act will necessarily result in a pregnancy, obviously, but that act is procreative *and* unitive in its function, and its *end*. Thus, it can only be said to be a natural act if engaged in by a man and a woman. This is a self-evident truth. Whenever “we” act against whatever truth, we do so at our own peril in many ways, such as psychologically. I think some of the issues same-sex oriented people face arise from this fact. They cannot call what the do “good” or “natural”, but project to force others to believe it “good” or “normal” — and I think this explains why many homosexuals oppose conversion therapy; i.e., they cannot admit there is even potentially something amiss with homosexuality and same-sex attraction.
As for transgenderism and gender dysphoria, this appears to a be a psychological problem. You wrote of such individuals: “People think they’re living a lie because you can’t change your gender, but by definition, gender is different than sex.”
To the extent they have psychological issues, I am not sure I would agree such individuals in all cases are “lying”. However, for those who know the truth — e.g., ., that ‘Joe’s’ desire to be a woman is abnormal — it would be a lie to pander to Joe and aid or abet his “transition.” Instead, we must help such folks understand they have a fundamental problem, and science should work to solving it; rather than lying to these poor folks and helping them to mutilate their bodies — and ultimately, their own lives. Again, happiness comes from truth, and truth is conformance of the mind to objective reality.
So, in sum, I would reject any education program that denies objective reality, and the ends of our created natures as they are in themselves. We cannot lie to ourselves, or lie to others about what is good, natural, and intended, and expected of us by God.
God bless,
Regards,
Steve
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Steve, all I have to say to you since I know any more effort to try to open your mind to other opinions will be exhausted, I hope you have the goodness to open your heart and mind to those different to you and see things from a different perspective. These people exist wether you like it or not, and they go through struggles you could never even imagine. The best we can do is to be kind, welcoming and respectful people and try to understand what they’re going through, and how we can help them and educate ourselves on their experiences. The world would be a much better place if we just gave them a chance. Peace, love, and support to those going through these issues. That was the message Paul wanted to convey and I’m proud he had the guts to do it. It made me feel not only accepted, but supported in a world where I’m often turned away, ridiculed, patronised and hurt. People deserve that support, because in many places they can’t get it, and if sir Paul McCartney can do it at a public concert, surely we can make an effort to be just a little kinder and more accepting of other people.
Happy new year, peace and love
Let’s be kinder to those different to us this year
-Em
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Em, thanks for the response.
Who is suggesting people not be kind or loving? I think you have a mistaken notion as to what true love and kindness is. It is NOT telling someone a lie just because that someone wants to believe the lie.
It is neither kind nor loving to withhold the truth from one who needs it — neither is it kind nor loving to tell a lie to someone who deserves the truth. I believe you need and deserve the truth.
It is a lie to say that true happiness, either on this earth or in eternity, may be found in living and acting in this world against one’s nature, or by acting against God’s commands. Anyone who suggests to you otherwise is not your true friend. I pray that one day you will see this.
May God grant you the grace to see the truth of it in this New Year. God bless.
Steve
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Why don’t you just go to the concerts of all the great conservative artists? Oh, that’s right. There are almost none. The vast majority artists are open-minded and free-thinking. That’s how they are able to be so creative. People like you who are close-minded and bigoted almost never produce any great art. You don’t contribute anything to the world except the perpetuation of your religious dogma and hate. You even teach your children this crap. You have no business being a Paul or Beatles fan.
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Wolf….thanks for the feedback.
I don’t generally decide on who I will listen to, or whose music I like based on the songwriter/performer’s political preferences. As I believe I pointed out in the article…I always understood the Beatles were to the man lefties. Yet, they are my favorite band…talent is talent. The Beatles kept that sort of thing off stage, and as a solo act (until relatively recently), McCartney generally kept to that practice.
The issue, as I have said, is not that McCartney has a political/worldview/moral opinion contrary to mine on LGBT “rights,” it is only that I (and I assume others) didn’t pay or expect him to make a demonstration of them “on our dime” so to speak. It would have been nice if he telegraphed beforehand to fans who weren’t aware he does that sort of thing now. If he did that, I suspect many of those who had attended, would not have.
As to the “Vast majority” of artists being “open minded” and free-thinking…that may be. That may be–but being “open minded” or “Free thinking” doesn’t mean one holds true or good ideas. What do you care for more, Wolf?
Further, I’d question the silent premise. “Open minded” is a somewhat loaded term. You, perhaps, are not “open minded” to the idea your acceptance of LBGT rights is wrong; or perhaps you are wrong for denying the existence of God or of objective moral norms (if these are your beliefs). Chesterton (I believe) once said, those who cease to believe in God don’t believe in nothing…they believe in anything. There is your free thinker….open to any crazy idea. But open to any crazy idea is not something good in and of itself….what we should be after truth.
As to “perpetuating” my “religious dogma”, ha…that is funny. You have your own “dogmas”…and you…or those like you…seek to impose them on society, e.g., like same sex marriages. You want “us” to except, and you want to impose it on us, and get angry if we have a different opinion than yours…you even say I have “no business being a Paul or Beatles fan.” Gee…you are rather close-minded…dogmatic even in your own way.
God bless,
Steve
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You do not deserve to see Paul McCartney. If you think Paul would stand for your bigoted beliefs, you never truly appreciate the lyrics of Paul McCartney and the Beatles overall. People died in a tragic shooting and he wanted to say that he felt for them. Fuck your feelings.
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Nunya, the shooting to which you seem to refer was one year before the concert I attended. The flag waving act was a political one; agreement with the agenda of one group with whom other Americans vehemently disagree. I don’t recall McCartney carrying a crucifix to support persecuted and martyred Christians of the world. I’d love to see your reaction if he ever were to.
McCartney can do as he likes; but at least give folks fair warning before displays favoring one group’s — or any group’s — agenda is forced upon folks who paid good money *just* to be entertained. I am now forewarned…and I’ve passed on an opportunity to see him again.
As for “bigoted” beliefs; homosexual acts are contrary to natural and divine law. Temper tantrums won’t change that.
As for Paul and the Beatles, I remain a fan. Great music, but as good as their lyrics generally were; they are not scripture. Sometimes, maybe rarely, they could be pretty lame as in the case of John’s Imagine.
God bless,
Steve
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