Uplifting News
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If your first instinct is to condemn this man for what he used to believe I would urge you to think about how we would ever go about affecting change without people like this who believe one thing, then see the error of their ways and change their mind. Sometimes a hypocrite is nothing more than a man in the process of changing.
The problem is more why he changed his view: it affected him. There are people who change their views because they're curious and empathetic and finally get the time to look into an issue and see how it affects other people. Those are the people that deserve praise for changing their views, even if they used to be conservative shitbags.
I understand where you're coming from but you need to think of this situation as someone who broke free of cult brainwashing. As someone who was raised conservative evangelical Christian, I can tell you it absolutely is. I felt guilt from not trying to convert people. I was told people different than me were going to hell to burn for an eternity from a young age. Manipulation tactics were used for me to believe in miracles and that the world is in a holy war against satan. Then the sentiment was retold over and over for close to two decades. It took a similar incompatibility as the man in the article for me to finally see that maybe different ideals and viewpoints weren't evil after all.
He didn't "see that different ideals and viewpoints weren't evil". His own child was affected so it was him that was affected.
He never thought or cared about others outside his own family. That's why we aren't congratulating him. He still hasn't demonstrated any empathy for others.
In this case he changed his viewpoints for very selfish reasons, 100% agree. The point I'm trying to make is someone like this typically doesn't exist in a vacuum. There's an entire support group to reinforce and validate the bigotry and ignorance of their beliefs. Even if it's for selfish reasons, changing a viewpoint like this can be a catalyst for even bigger change and personal growth down the line, and it doesn't happen overnight. Also it's not entirely selfish, many fathers would have disowned their daughter when they came out as trans and remained as close minded bigots. This sort of change should be celebrated.
Refraining from being an asshole doesn't make someone a good person. It's the bare minimum for being a normal non-hateful person. It's good for his personal journey and his family, but I don't have to fete and applaud him.
Well, growing up around the people I did, seeing any amount of change in someone like this gives me hope. And he's doing much more than "not being an asshole". Please at least read the article.
Yeah, yeah. He's an "advocate for change" or something. But only for things that affect him. What are his opinions on whether the 2020 election was "stolen", or God forbid his opinions on black people?
I don't know, it wasn't stated in the article. Do you actually know the answers to these questions or are you jumping to conclusions that fit your own personal bias?
I'm happy for you that you escaped.
This reminds of a salient question I encountered. I wish I could remember the author and book to quote directly but here's my best approximation of their meaning:
Why is it that you need to go to church every week and study the same book over and over to understand god's message? Once you learn 1+1=2 you're done, no need to read the same thing over and over.
I'm not advocating for praising him, but everyone is vilifying him for coming around to a different point of view. He's growing as a person. Maybe not in the altruistic way that you'd like, but it's still growth. If we stay up on our high horses insisting everyone do the right thing just because it's the right thing and for no other reason then we're going to be waiting a very, very long time for change.
Take the fucking win and move on.