After a busy summer of political hot button items, the sentiment "opinions are like assholes" really rings true. I think I've deleted well over half of my Facebook friends. I can tolerate different, I can't tolerate ignorance. Throughout the summer a nagging feeling has been overcoming me. Is it possible to be so open minded that you're in fact close minded? Can political ignorance swing so far left, that there's no way to make it right? The answer is a resounding yes.
3 or 4 years ago, when ChikFilA decided to have it's "Traditional Marriage" day, everybody lost their shit. LGBT activists called for the CEO's head. How dare he they said, when in reality, he did what gay pride does every year. How is it acceptable for a specific group of people to come together and take a day to celebrate, when the other isn't? Is it because we think one is right, and one is wrong? Is it morally acceptable to persecute somebody for their personal beliefs?
I know what you're thinking, "Nate how can you sit here and say that when you yourself admitted to deleting half of your Facebook?" My response is this. I don't have to subject myself to that kind of hatred on a daily basis. I don't fault them for their beliefs. I don't agree with them, but they are not bad people. They're simply people who think different. Isn't that supposed to be the point of progression in America, respecting people for their differences?
I have a friend who is extremely liberal. Gay marriage, gun control, planned parenthood, all are okay to him. He detests anybody who is against his beliefs and it alters his mood to know that there are people out there who simply think differently. He's convinced he's on the right side of history, but in fact he's bringing it back a few generations. The beauty of this world is that no two people think differently.
One thing I will say is this, defending your beliefs based on your faith is one thing, but when you're known for not practicing your religion and then want to hide behind your faith it makes me raise an eyebrow. The Lord is our savior, not to be used at your convienence.
Sure, I have political beliefs that are questionable. I am actively for the death penalty, with more concrete guidelines. I believe the confederate flag is a symbol of racism. It's okay that others don't share my sentiments. It's not going to make me change them.
My whole point is, life is a revolving door. We won't be the same person 10 years from now that we are now, nor was 10 years ago. Don't hide behind a closed door. You never know what could be waiting for you on the other side.
I think there's a lot to be said for a healthy dose of openmindedness! Most people, Republican or Dem, seem to lack it, if my Facebook newsfeed is any indication. When people are so deeply (and often blindly) infatuated with their beliefs that they flat out refuse to even THINK about another perspective, that crosses the line into intolerable behavior to me. That's when I find myself deleting! My views are vastly different than they were as a senior in high school. Vastly. I have to believe that others will learn and evolve as they go through life, too; it gives me hope that their minds can become more open.
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