Today Gentle Readers we are working on growing closer to someone. I think this could be expanded beyond romantic interests. Our world could use a little growing closer to each other. So, in this spirit, I submit:

Borrowed this from a Blog I found, Me to the Power of We

I haven’t checked out the blog I found the image above on yet, but these words are especially important in our digital age. The world is a much smaller place than it was 300 years ago, at the beginning of the 1900s, or even just 34 years ago when I was born. The power of the internet and the speed of communication available today has opened the masses to peoples and cultures very different from our own. This should be a cause for joy and celebration. However, zealots of any sort can ruin this.

The United States of America has a long and checkered history when it comes to differences just within her own borders. Protestants and Catholics arguing over religion. Let’s not forget the Civil War. Technically it was State’s rights versus Central government, but let’s be honest, the bare bones of the conflict was over slavery. One group’s belief that they can own another person as property, either because of debt or because the person is different. Even today we have a broadening of acceptance for those that are different, yet zealots on either side cannot stop shouting their rhetoric long enough to just mind their own business.

Take one of the most zealot Presidential candidates we have for 2016, Ted Cruz. He actually said, “Gay Marriage leads to Christianity becoming hate speech”. How idiotic can you be? Because two men, or two women, want the same tax and secular benefits of a Man and Woman marriage has NOTHING to do with Christianity. This may be a country that has strong ties to Christianity, but we are not a religious country in the same way that some North African and many Middle Eastern countries are. As someone who has walked away from most organized religion, I think this is where people need a dose of “Mind your own damn business”.  If zealots of any religion (Christianity or otherwise) want to get involved in politics, they can start by paying taxes and giving up their tax exempt status. Once you start contributing other than to line an official’s pockets during campaign time, then you can start lobbying for laws. Until such a time as we are a theocracy, Shut the hell up. I agree with most of the teachings of Christianity/Judaism and even Islam. The three religions are not as different as the layman would believe. It is zealots who think that their interpretation is the only right interpretation that corrupt all three religions. I found this interesting article on some of the similarities between Christianity/Judaism/Islam.

I am not trying to get too political or religious here. I bring this all up to make a point: When we spend all this time railing against the small differences between people, we fail to see the similarities and celebrate the uniqueness in life. Just because someone may have some different views, or fall under a different category as you, it doesn’t mean that they are really all that different. In the words of each of the three major religions of the world, “peace be upon you” –  shalom aleichem in Judaism, pax vobiscum in Christianity, and salaam alaikum in Islam.  Until next time Gentle Readers, learn about your neighbors. Find that common ground (because I assure you it is there) and celebrate the differences instead of condemning them.