Tensions in the United States are high. Just a few are: Democrats vs. Republicans, Religious vs. Non-religious, Gay vs. Straight. The list could go on and on and on. And many times, it does. But what does it all mean? And why are Americans in particular, and humans as a whole prone to disdain of those who view the world differently? Why does this often lead to scorn of others? Are those who stand for acceptance and tolerance “wishy-washy”? Should the tolerant be disliked as much as those who strongly stand for one thing (the wrong thing) or another? These questions are often forgotten and ignored in the shuffle for existence.
Democrats vs. Republicans
Let’s start with Democrats vs. Republicans, what an election year! The tension and fission in the United States is high. Be it Democrats, Republicans, Independents or other, everyone has an opinion. Suddenly we are back on the elementary school playground. There are bullies and there are the bullied. The bullies are the loudest and get the bulk of the attention. The quieter kids are often ignored. As Americans align themselves with one party or another, the fact that we are all human beings seems to be lost in the shuffle. Doesn’t it make sense to see the bullies and the quieter kids as being on the same team? Do you say “No way”? OK, let’s further break it down. Are we all human beings? “Oh, of course” would be the logical answer to that question. But that is where the similarities end and the need to align ourselves begins anew.
Religious vs. Non-Religious
Let’s move on to another hot issue: religion. Whew! Now there’s something to keep everyone talking. It is estimated that there are over 2.1 billion Christians in the world (Adherents.com). And that’s just Christianity. There are also those of the Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and many, many, more faiths. My stance is to refuse to connect myself with any of them. I am not an Atheist. In fact, I strongly believe in God. Do you believe me to be misguided for not finding religion? Why would that make me a misguided person? A good friend of mine recently told me that she would bet that not a single religion has each and everything right. Is she misguided too? Let’s all get behind a little hate on this one…not so fast.
Gay vs. Straight
Now that I’ve put some of my ideas out there, let’s move on to the Gay vs. Straight argument. I am not gay. But that doesn’t mean that I think that gays are horrible people. Let’s go back to my prior point. Aren’t we all human beings? Why can’t people be allowed to be who they are? Homosexuality is truly the last acceptable discrimination. In my home state of Idaho, an employer can fire a gay employee and a landlord can evict a tenant just because they are gay. What if that employee is a great employee? What if they are a model tenant? Under the law, these questions are unimportant and irrelevant.
Finally
No matter your opinion of my opinions – I stick to my sometimes unpopular beliefs. We are all human and unique in our own way. We all have our own opinions and we all live our lives a little differently. The truth is that no one has a perfect life. We all have our own struggles and difficulties. Hatred will not change the fact that we are all different and that it is impossible for all of us to live our lives in exactly the same way. Our differences make this world a more interesting place. The vast assortment of the human race adds to the beauty of the human experience.
Kindness and understanding is not just a good way to deal with the people who are different then ourselves. Kindness is the right way. Kindness is the ONLY way.
