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Culture War Roundup for the week of July 17, 2023

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I don't think avoiding social ostracism counts as "getting a free ride off of church resources".

It absolutely is "getting a free ride" if the church is offering any sort of perks for membership.

And yes I include things like social functions, play-dates, blue-bag groceries, school supplies, etc.. under the heading "perks"

Is a light-skinned black person who tries to pass for white, in a situation where a lot of people don't like blacks. "getting a free ride"? I would say no.

And if it's a light-skinned black person, at least his parents and siblings are okay with him being black. In the analogous situation with religion, you can have religious beliefs that are completely different from your whole family. It's hard thinking of even a good analogy, but let's say you want to marry a light-skinned black person and you tell your parents that this person is white because you know your parents would otherwise ostracize you. Are you getting a free ride from your parents every time you come home for Thanksgiving dinner, because you know that if you had told the truth, they wouldn't let you in the house?

If that's coercion, then having any requirement for romantic partners is coercion.

"She said must love dogs in her profile, and I had no other choice but to feign a love of dogs, though I am actually a cat person."

"Coercion" and "not getting a free ride off of church resources" are separate arguments, though related.

I'd agree that feigning a love of dogs doesn't count as getting a free ride off of church resources.

I'd agree that feigning a love of dogs doesn't count as getting a free ride off of church resources.

No that a free ride of your partner instead which is arguably worse.