Bigots More Concerned About Being Perceived As Bigots Than Whether They Are

Bigots like Rick Santorum and NOM, the National Organization For Marriage, “are much more concerned about being perceived as bigots than whether they might actually be bigoted.” So says Zinnia Jones in this excellent video examining the recent cries from bigots on the right, like Santorum, for being called, “bigots.”

Jones is specifically referencing this exchange between GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum and students at his alma mater, who took on Santorum’s lies, and, well, anti-gay bigotry. In addition to what Jones posted, here’s a part of it:

One student took great umbrage to Santorum’s bigoted preaching, and said, “It is extremely unfair for you to say that there are no social science reports that suggest that children are okay in a same-​sex relationship.” As she begins this sentence, watch the young man in jacket and tie to Santorum’s right raise his fist in the air.

“There are plenty of statistical studies, and they are just as happy and successful and everything else as long as they have two parents.”

“I see,” replies Santorum, clearly aware he is losing this group.

“The American Psychological Association…,” the student starts to say.

“I understand…” Santorum repeatedly, dismissively states.

“The American Psychological Association has enumerated — 1974, that gay marriage…,” she continues.

Santorum interrupts, blasting the American Psychological Association (APA).

“Yes, but the American Psychological Association is made up of people who agree with the American Psychological Association! Just like the AMA is made up of…”

Santorum goes on to denigrate the AMA and other professional organizations, moments after he was concerned about not being able to join them because he is called a bigot!

“All these associations prove is that they have a point of view and the people who join them agree with that point of view… That’s not evidence!”

WATCH: Santorum Slammed By Students At His Alma Mater Over Same-Sex Marriage

Jones continues:

“They are unable to conceive of any kind of moral progress that could be inconvenient to their positions or contrary to a particular faith. The sheer self-absorption of this mindset is breathtaking. Imagine if any other prejudice were defended with such an argument. How seriously would we take the protests of white racists that they would be seen as bigots because of integration? How much would we care about the complaints of men that they would be considered bigoted if women are allowed to vote?”

She also says,

And no, your religion does not have the power to legitimize bigotry. Bigoted beliefs do not become excusable just because a church or a book endorses them. You don’t get a pass on bigotry by claiming that a god agrees with you. People came up with the very same justifications for all kinds of prejudice. It changes nothing. Like it or not, your religion will evolve. It might deny this, it might lag behind, but religions are dragged along with the moral climate of society at large. The Catholic Church doesn’t hold trials of alleged witches anymore. Mormon leaders decided that God changed his mind about allowing black people to be ordained. And some day, you will have to face the reality that your 2,000 years of moral theology are helpless next to a moment of moral reflection.

Yep, you’re a bigot.