Originally posted on Facebook HERE
I like to think that people are basically good. Inside each of us we have a moral compass, and we try to side with what we believe to be the side that is all knowing and loving. I like to think that, anyway. But what I think we’re seeing everyday right now is way too much anger, hatred and division. People are seeing other people not as humans, but as something less than that. This, historically, has never been a good thing. When we start to compartmentalize other humans based on race, gender, nationality, wealth, sexual preference, religion, or any of the seemingly endless categories we create for each other – and then label anyone who fits into one of our man made boxes as “less than”, well – are you sure this is anything God would want? Would Jesus say “feel free to imprison and kill anyone who doesn’t feel or look like you do”? When you’re seeking to know God’s will for you, is He telling you you need to look down upon others in any way? Because that might not be God you’re listening to. And – to be clear, I’m not talking about murderers, rapists, or criminals here – we do need to have a way to deal with people who are a threat to society. I’m talking about prejudice based on generalities. It’s the basis of some of the worst things ever done to each other as humans. It’s the basis of most wars. Slavery. Certainly gave rise to the Nazi’s and their persecution of Jews. And lest we forget, the internment of Japanese Americans during that same period in history. Every human should be judged based solely on their own merits. When you look at another human and start to think that he or she is somehow “less than” you, stop for a second and think about that. The homeless guy. The person of color. The person who follows a different religion, lives in another country, or chooses to live or love in a way that for some reason upsets you… what is that? It’s fear. We often fear the things we don’t know or understand. So, here we are. Full of self righteousness and judgement. What happened to love? What happened to “love your neighbor as yourself”? I don’t remember any qualifications to that quote. I like to believe we are all good people. And that we can disagree about what that means without seeing each other in any way as less than human. For whatever reason, it seems like we’re trending in the wrong direction there these days. And maybe it’s time to focus on love and forgiveness and doing whatever we can to lift each other up whenever possible. We need to see each other as worthy. We will destroy ourselves living any other way.
