Inclusivity and the NHL: We Have a Problem

[btimbit]

Nothing says "well adjusted human being" like living your life based on teachings from a fiction book written over 2000 years ago

Makes total sense to me

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I mean, the underlying current of him not respecting or supporting the activity or lifestyle is just a veiled way of saying that it's a behavior or "it's a choice", and not a fundamental fact of their personhood. How are we not past this idea?

Hey James, I want to love everyone, but I cannot respect or support your activity or lifestyle as a intolerant, dogmatic, religious zealot and bigot.

Now, can I go out and wear a jersey that says #### James Reimer? It's all fair then, yeah? Everyone's free to express themselves and support their personal convictions then, right?

But I won't do that because it would be socially inappropriate and deeply hurtful to James Reimer, and he would feel marginalized and outcast, and made to feel like he couldn't express himself freely.

Tolerance is a conscious choice not to be an ####### all the time and keep things to yourself. Nobody asked you to voice your opinions on LGBTQ lifestyle or how it conflicts with your faith. Keep it to yourself.

[Ozy_Flame]

"I can't because I'm Christian".

Can you try because you're a human being?

[Howie_16]

It's almost as if these idiots believe that wearing a Pride jersey means that they are contractually obligated to participate in an homosexual act.

It's on par with Derek Ryan getting traded to the Kraken, then refusing to wear their practice jersey because it has a Starbucks patch on it and claiming it is because his LDS faith prevents him from supporting coffee.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

You can't fault people for thinking he said that. It's literally a scripted line in his biopic film.

I still need to watch that. Had no idea that was a line in the movie.

[DeluxeMoustache]

So the organization and over 90 percent of its employees are supportive
Seems like a better proportion than in society, overwhelming support.

[カナダ人です]

Still think the worse is John Tortorella saying he would sit/punish any player who sat during the anthem.

Like, that was a peaceful protest against violence against Black people, police brutality, and prejudice.

But no, Torts ain't havin' it. Gotta show unwavering patriotism and "respect" for the anthem and flag.

#### that. It should be about making our world a better place - for everyone. Not turning your brain off in blind "national pride"

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Not just a sin, a death sentence!

King James. Leviticus chapter 20, verse 13:

“If a man has intercourse with a man as with a woman, both commit an abomination. They must be put to death.”

The Bible is a very large pile of

You can't just pick and choose parts of the old testament. It's on the same level as wearing blended fibers, consuming shellfish, and not taking slaves from oppressed peoples.

The Bible is indeed full of #### but it makes me even more angry that they can't properly canonical reference things. It's just way to hypocritical. I don't think they make non synthetic goalie pads so Reimer is already not following his highest authority or whatever.

[Cycling76er]

Originally Posted by Howie_16

It's on par with Derek Ryan getting traded to the Kraken, then refusing to wear their practice jersey because it has a Starbucks patch on it and claiming it is because his LDS faith prevents him from supporting coffee.

For real? That's ####ed up.

[Street Pharmacist]

I think I'm close but probably a little bit outside the line here compared to most posters. I think they're well within their rights to decline to wear these jerseys, and I think the statement was confusing, but fine in regards to their reasoning. I also don't think there should be any discipline for sitting out of a theme night pre skate.

Having said all of that, the reasoning is specious and stupid. If you support the community and want them included, you'd participate. It makes zero sense to say "I support the event that promotes inclusion because I'm a Christian, but don't support inclusion in this case. But I still want them to feel included. But I don't support the event that says they should be included.". I mean, that's just dumb. What they're really saying here is they don't support the pride flag and acceptance that gender dysphoria and sexual orientation are immutable and these people are worthy of inclusion. Which means you don't support their inclusion.

Essentially: "I really am a nice person and believe everyone has value, but their lifestyle is amoral so I don't support them"

You can't have it both ways. You either support them and wear the jersey, or you don't support them. It's strange

[Howie_16]

Originally Posted by Cycling76er

For real? That's ####ed up.

It's a hypothetical situation, meant to show how ridiculous James Reimer is being.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Have it sponsored.

Like, "Big Gay" or something.

[devo22]

I just can't get over the fact that a) many people apparently still base their world views on the freaking bible, and b) some people apparently still think homosexuality is a choice.

Using religion as an excuse to be homophobic. Sucks.

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by Yamer

I can't help but wonder what a player like Luke Prokop thinks of his peers openly expressing they neither welcome him nor his sexuality.

I can't put myself in his shoes. I can only try. But honestly.....i would bet Luke isn't surprised nor hurt more than usual by Reimer's dumb comment. He probably expects there are some relics of the past that think like this. But they are dwindling.

In fact, i'm betting Luke and other members feel a little bit better and better as time passes, as he knows that there is a VAST majority of folks that grows in size all the time who support him including Christians like myself. I think we are in a better place now than we were 10 years ago. And in another 10 years we are going to be even better.

In the mean time? Feck Reimer et al. He didn't have to make this choice.
He could have his beliefs AND support the community. They are not mutually exclusive. I need to understand different kinds of Christian faith maybe, but i'm pretty sure wearing a pride jersey to show caring/support for others who need it doesn't trample on his faith but rather it is in keeping with it.

[butterfly]

It would be funny if the league and players association agreed to put a pride patch on every team's jersey for a year. Then we'd see if these people would give up millions for their religion.

[Phaneuf_Phan]

Ever notice how the people who scream for tolerance are extremely intolerant themselves?

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

I still need to watch that. Had no idea that was a line in the movie.

pretty sure I was the only 12 year old to see that movie twice in the theatre

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf_Phan

Ever notice how the people who scream for tolerance are extremely intolerant themselves?

[Jason14h]

A few players refusing to wear a pride jersey does not mean the NHL has a problem with intolerance. At most it means those few individuals are intolerant.

Would forcing him to wear the jersey or risk a suspension make him more tolerant ? (Probably the opposite )

Not sure why having someone who doesn’t believe in wearing the jersey wear it would make them or the league more tolerant

I think the fact so few players opted out of wearing it when they clearly can shows just how tolerant the NHL has become

1% of the league refusing to wear a pride jersey doesn’t make the NHL intolerant.

[bluejays]

While I don't share the same view as Reimer, frankly he's not being rude about it, so I don't really care. I really just wish politics and anthems and whatnot were kept out of sports. The whole thing brings about controversy. Even as a minority myself if someone had a "minority night" and a player chose not to participate, citing whatever, I wouldn't care. We're giving them the option, certainly people can have opinions. Talk about it but some of the vitriol thrown at Reimer, generally seen as a nicer person in the game, is ridiculous.