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From the Other Side of the Edge….
Intolerance in
Indiana, …on BOTH Sides, …Like Kids in a Sandbox
By Joe Facinoli
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom
of speech….”
--from the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United
States
of America, ratified December 15, 1791
In half a sentence, the Founding Fathers guaranteed for the citizens of
their fledging nation, the two most basic rights, and freedoms, in all
of humankind.
Two Hundred and twenty four years later, …we still don’t get
it.
I believe that homosexuality (and heterosexuality, for that matter) is
genetic.
Why wouldn’t it be?
Everything else about us is determined by our DNA chains—height, eye
color, hair and skin tones, sense of humor, intelligence, ability to
parallel park—so why would our sexual preferences be left out of our
genetic blueprint ??
Gay people are just people, …just like straights. People
are people.
I also believe, that if YOU don’t believe this, then you are part of
today’s problems.
On the other side of this silly argument, I believe that the most
intolerant people on the planet, century in and century out, are the
self-absorbed and shameless, impious purveyors (in all the wrong ways)
of organized religions, …all of them.
But also, that religious beliefs are one’s personal choice, and that
all should be allowed to have them, unbothered and unfettered, and to
practice them as they choose (within laws of reason), …no matter how
your lifestyle choices may fit, or not, within them.
And I believe that if YOU believe anything else, then you are probably
fully indoctrinated, in your pseudo-sophisticated, and/or completely
inflexible ways, …and are a major part of the same problem.
But it doesn’t matter what I believe.
It only matters that I am free to believe it (see my guarantee, from my
“Fathers”, above), …and that I am free to express these thoughts here,
…even if others may think them misguided, …or even stupid.
Last week (you may have possibly heard, if you weren’t in a coma), the
Indiana legislature passed a law, the Religious Freedom Restoration
Act, which by its very name and nature, …was totally and completely
unnecessary.
For BOTH sides.
The Constitution (as noted above), that wonderful and mostly forgotten
document, already guarantees everything this new, far too wordy and
pretentious law does (but that 224 year old doc, …does it in half a
sentence).
Most of the Civil Rights laws passed in our land, …since 1964, …do the
same thing.
Religion should be a personal thing. Believe
it, honor it, practice it, live it, …as you choose.
But it’s yours, and no one else’s, and no one else’s beliefs nor
behaviors should affect how you believe it, …that is, …if you really do
believe in what you say you do.
Having your business or company help someone do something which you
believe to be “irreligious” (or even if you were to do this thing,
individually), shouldn’t affect you, nor your own beliefs and thoughts,
…not at all.
That is, …unless you are trying (as seems to be so necessary today, and
for centuries) to “impose” your own religious will, onto these
others.
On the other hand, those who think that they are being offended (or,
“God” forbid, …much worse) by someone else’s religious beliefs or
practices, as they pertain to their own life choices, should simply
offer some basic respect (instead of the now standard, arrogant
judging), …and just let them have them.
And most important, …just leave them alone about it.
James Madison may have said it best, while he was “Fathering” the
Constitution, and helping to write a little thing called the Bill of
Rights.
The future Fourth President, of the country he helped to found,
said:
“….we have staked the whole of our political institutions ….upon the
capacity of each and all of us, to Govern ourselves, …to Control
ourselves, …and to Sustain ourselves….”
Mr. Madison mentions nothing here about the guy next door, and his
boyfriend, who live together, never go to church, and who hold hands in
public, just about anytime they please!
(Those insensitive, sub-human bastards---or maybe they should be called
“bitches”?)
Nor does he say anything about what you should do, when this “behavior”
may change, or frustrate, or exacerbate your life.
He only speaks to what happens within OURSELVES, and to what we believe
and think about, OURSELVES, …and no one else.
And, he mentions not a thing about what might happen when that same
godless neighbor, and his godless boyfriend, decide to tie the knot,
then go to a nearby baker to grab a cake for the nuptials, only to find
that this “intolerant” pastry maker wouldn’t be caught dead (because of
his religious beliefs), baking a six-tier creation with two “GUYS”
standing on the top layer !!
(What a bigot, this insensitive, cultural dinosaur of a cake chef !!)
But Madison trusted that we would find it within OURSELVES to make
whatever adjustments which may be necessary within our own lives, in
order to allow others to live theirs, …all of us, in the ways we choose
for OURSELVES.
Today, however, having personal beliefs and feelings about
something, …is never enough. For EITHER
side.
Not unless everyone else believes as they do, will their beliefs,
thoughts, and preferences be validated.
And were this not to come about, completely, then they will be very
unhappy, even angry, more than a little uncooperative, …and even a bit
“pissy”.
What childish Nonsense.
Too many Organized Religious practices, as well as those of certain
social “preferences”, have always operated like little kids playing in
a sandbox.
There’s only one fun place to play, …but each kid has a different idea
of how to play in it. And, they will not be happy
until all the other 4 year olds are doing exactly what they want them
to, in “their” box, …and in no other way.
Ever watch this? Then you know it’s true.
And, what always happens next ??
You know, …you’ve seen it.
Sand starts flying, …tears everywhere, …yelling, screaming, hair
pulling, finger pointing, …running to Mommy to “tell” on the others,
…it becomes one huge mess.
Then NO ONE gets to play in, nor enjoy, the Sandbox.
We still haven’t learned, …any more than when we were 3 or 4 years
old.
Play nice. And leave each other
alone.
So simple, …yet so difficult, even for supposed “adults”.
You don’t have to like what someone else is doing with their life, …to
still enjoy your life.
Having everyone else believe or feel the same way you do, does NOT
enhance your life, …even a little bit.
Your life, is a personal thing, …yours.
Religious beliefs are even more so. Yours
are yours, and theirs are theirs, …so leave them alone about
it. Then all will have a better chance to “pursue”
their own happiness.
Even if you hate what they stand for, …it’s none of your
business.
That noted and profound philosopher, Dr. Seuss, once said:
“Those who mind, don’t matter, …and those who matter, don’t mind.”
A bit deeper than “Green Eggs and Ham”, …but right on the
money.
Find a baker, or a florist (or even a pizza maker) who you like, …and
who likes you, and what you do with, and in, your life.
There’s a lot of them in the phone book. Even more on
Google. Pick one that works, …with no
drama.
Then your life will be much more peaceful.
And if two guys, holding hands, walk into your shop asking you to help
plan their wedding, …just shut up and take their
money.
Then guess what?
You’ll have a lot more fun in your Sandbox, …and no hair
pulling.
Joe Facinoli
--Joe can be reached at: joefacinoli@gmail.com
Intelligent Response Encouraged !!
© Copyright 2015, Joe Facinoli
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