Originally published January 12, 2005
The sign at the Kingston Christian church is a jaw-dropper, at least to me, and not just because everything is spelled correctly this time. Turns out you're hating the wrong people:
COMPASSION IN DEFENSE
OF SIN IS NO VIRTUE
It is, of course, echoing Barry Goldwater's "Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in defense of justice is no virtue." (Although I would bet my last 1998 stock option that they haven't the foggiest notion who it echoes.) But Goldwater, love him or hate him, was at least talking about himself. Are you like me? Do you read that church sign and see:
FREE VIRTUE EVALUATIONS
(NO GAYS, MINORITIES OR CAREER WOMEN, PLEASE)
or
ETHICAL HELP, 5¢
or
"KILLING HOMOS IS OKAY BY ME,"
SAYS GOD