Les, I don't think it'a an overstatement either, I just have had some success dealing with the frightened, forgotten people living inside those bigots, and I want to encourage you not to give way to the temptation to use tactics bound to fail-- they fail because they simply become the bigots' fodder for more of their hate. Their hate (believe me or don't) is fear-based too, so scaring them out of their behavior doesn't work at all. It just entrenches them in what they were brainwashed to believe is right, as a programmed defense.

One way I use the Bible is as a set of "if everything fails read the directions" sourcebook. When I run out of bright ideas, or can see that the brightest ones are not working at all, I try what I see as God's suggestions. In other words, I hear the tone of them not as what I SHOULD do but as, "You know, it might actually work if you try it THIS way....." One of those is about loving one's enemies. Take the SHOULD out of it and it's actually a very subversive approach. It's so hard to defend against real love.

So again, how would you see the bigots behaving-- if they were hit by lightning, say-- if they became total allies? Go ahead and dream a little-- what would it look like?

~Susan