(In light of the debate and heightened state of sensitivity—due to the
most recent Chick-fil-A headlines—surrounding same-sex marriages)
I can not help but be reminded that all are human and entitled to their point-of-view, however irrational others may feel such a point-of-view to be at times; however wrong or bad it is believed or felt to be.
Judging those that can not wrap their mind around the idea of equality is no less an affront to open mindedness, and the act of acceptance, than the very intolerance being perpetrated by those that are opposed to homosexuality, or any differing lifestyle or point-of-view for that matter. What matters the degree to which one is found intolerant, when all that matters is that both parties are exhibiting an intolerance for one-another.
One cannot fight intolerance with intolerance, for it will inevitably engender itself, and in so doing will only place its purveyor(s) on the level of those they wish to condemn; neither of whom will be found "taking the high road", rather both bound by zealotry in their contempt for one-another, trapped within a most vicious cycle.
I can not help but be reminded that all are human and entitled to their point-of-view, however irrational others may feel such a point-of-view to be at times; however wrong or bad it is believed or felt to be.
Judging those that can not wrap their mind around the idea of equality is no less an affront to open mindedness, and the act of acceptance, than the very intolerance being perpetrated by those that are opposed to homosexuality, or any differing lifestyle or point-of-view for that matter. What matters the degree to which one is found intolerant, when all that matters is that both parties are exhibiting an intolerance for one-another.
One cannot fight intolerance with intolerance, for it will inevitably engender itself, and in so doing will only place its purveyor(s) on the level of those they wish to condemn; neither of whom will be found "taking the high road", rather both bound by zealotry in their contempt for one-another, trapped within a most vicious cycle.
Love thy neighbor as thyself, even as they refuse to do the same. The light of your actions & words will serve to contrast the very source of darkness, fear, and intolerance from which your neighbor's hurtful actions or speech emerge. Their only options will be to embrace a more tolerant demeanor & equality or to cower and retreat further in to the hardness of their hearts.
Allow the Intolerant to speak aloud of their intolerance, for it is only out of fear that one speaks ill of another; it is an act of desperation. Change occurs. There are those that will fight it, those that will advocate it, and those that will observe it. Ultimately we are all participants. The affect of change is determined by our attitudes toward it. If change is for the better, if it is Good in nature, it will see its day. We only defile its image, discount it, or hamper its progress by attempting to champion its cause (if Good) through the use of its opposite—Bad.
We can not champion equality by thinking ourselves morally greater than or above others. By doing so we are demonstrating ourselves no better than. All the name calling, pointing of fingers, discrediting, demonizing, stratifying, classifying, cursing, et cetera...is of no use, on either perceived side of the aisle. These people (of differing views) are still cut of your same cloth, and while your beliefs & opinions are right in your mind's eye, so are theirs in their own. So then, who is the Right of the two if both believe themselves so? Rather than exhibiting a vehement dislike for and lambasting one-another for having an opinion, keep open the lines of communication, act & speak civilly, and 'show' them unconditional love. Be the change you wish to see in the world. To teach tolerance & acceptance one must tolerate & accept; this is Love. And, Life is Love or nothing at all.
Be Well, Loved Ones...
Albert
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