The second image downright sickens me. To see the undeniable bigotry that comes from certain parties in my own faith! The hatred for those they protest is just as palpable. The love and caring that should reflect a life in Christ has been stripped to something ugly and power-hungry. Yet in all this mess of political rivalry, inconsistent philosophy, and heavy handed media, hate has also gone unnoticed.
A roommate of mine led me to a story about an incident at a Yuba Community College District campus. This student, Ryan Dozier, was handing out tracts and speaking with people about his faith when a campus safety officer stopped him, saying that he could be arrested for "sharing without a permit."
ADF stepped in to protect Dozier's first amendment right, but was met with a letter from the president of the college stating that "his actions were the subject of a campus crime report."
The schools under the YCCD are public, endorsed and accredited by the University of California, California Community Colleges, US Office of Education, the Veterans Administration, and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Office. Still, these government funded schools limit the free speech and expression of their students.
It makes me curious: had Dozier been gay, trying to hand out tracts with phrases like "Prop 8 = H8," would the district reacted as harshly?
This next story barely made city news, let alone statewide attention. Is this what the founding fathers had in mind when they penned the ideal of free speech and religion?
Somehow, a consensus must be reached. Hate needs to stop on both sides. These knee-jerk reactions from groups on either side must stop, and a rational, open dialogue has to emerge. Otherwise, the chaos of voices will drown out any attempts to reconcile one another in this dire situation.
I am an opponent of pro-choice, homosexual marriage, child-enabled abortions, and many other liberal ideals. But I am not their enemy. I do not agree with them, but I do not hate them. In order for my position to mean anything, I cannot hate. I hope the words I can live by, as well as the nation, are those of Jesus:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be holy, therefore, as your heavenly Father is holy."
Matt. 5:43-48
1 comment:
Hey, you've got quite nice blog here. Well-written post above. Check mine out, if you'd like. I've only been posting on Christmas stuff this month, so it might seem a bit repetitive for now ;)
Post a Comment