This doesn't go directly with the above, but rather is a thought I had that is connected to the subject of religion and the freedom of it, etc. I think I see both sides in that... people who feel the need and wish to say a prayer or do something religious such as that and are told by law that it's wrong... they feel hurt, attacked, like their rights have been taken away. And they have. It gets into a scary area when someone cannot honor their religion or beliefs in a non-violent manner that isn't involved or concerning anyone but themselves.
But, on the flipside, I myself have felt horribly uncomfortable by public group displays of religion where non-religious people were also gathered (if that makes sense and you're still with me, you're amazing, Andrew! ^__^;; ..). I feel .. well, guilty isn't the right word. But... weird.. that public religious things are taking place where I have to be and yet, it is not something I believe in. It makes me feel like, for some things, I cannot be there. The feeling could probably be compared to, say, my asking you to come to a Wiccan/Pagan event. It is not what you believe, you'd probably feel weird and the experience would leave you with a very bad taste.
I feel that everyone should have the freedom to believe what they want as long as it's not harmful in any way. I have seen religious extremes - as well as other extremes - go too far and end up harming other people. Nothing about that is right or good... and while I am not religious, I cannot believe there is anything in any valid religion that says to hate each other or make each other's lives difficult. That's by any means.
I respect what you believe, Andrew. As I respect what Leslie believes, and all of my other friends... who have such a faith in religion. I admire that faith and as long as it doesn't turn to nasty fighting, name calling and put downs... that's wonderful. Because.. really.. religion or not, we're not alive for very long. The span of a human life is as short as the blink of an eye when you look at the larger picture. And what really matters is that for the time we are here, we get along - make meaningful connections to the people around us, try to understand each other - grow together - and love one another.
Whooo. Didn't mean to ramble. Maybe I should delete this comment later. I don't mean to start a big debate. Just to voice a thought (or series of them) that I was having in distant relation to the subject at hand.
no subject
But, on the flipside, I myself have felt horribly uncomfortable by public group displays of religion where non-religious people were also gathered (if that makes sense and you're still with me, you're amazing, Andrew! ^__^;; ..). I feel .. well, guilty isn't the right word. But... weird.. that public religious things are taking place where I have to be and yet, it is not something I believe in. It makes me feel like, for some things, I cannot be there. The feeling could probably be compared to, say, my asking you to come to a Wiccan/Pagan event. It is not what you believe, you'd probably feel weird and the experience would leave you with a very bad taste.
I feel that everyone should have the freedom to believe what they want as long as it's not harmful in any way. I have seen religious extremes - as well as other extremes - go too far and end up harming other people. Nothing about that is right or good... and while I am not religious, I cannot believe there is anything in any valid religion that says to hate each other or make each other's lives difficult. That's by any means.
I respect what you believe, Andrew. As I respect what Leslie believes, and all of my other friends... who have such a faith in religion. I admire that faith and as long as it doesn't turn to nasty fighting, name calling and put downs... that's wonderful. Because.. really.. religion or not, we're not alive for very long. The span of a human life is as short as the blink of an eye when you look at the larger picture. And what really matters is that for the time we are here, we get along - make meaningful connections to the people around us, try to understand each other - grow together - and love one another.
Whooo. Didn't mean to ramble. Maybe I should delete this comment later. I don't mean to start a big debate. Just to voice a thought (or series of them) that I was having in distant relation to the subject at hand.
::goes back into hiding::