What side are you on?

My daily lesson comes first today:

I cannot sit back and merely point out all of the injustices of the world. I also cannot possibly correct all of the injustices of world. I do what I can. In the grand scheme of things, it's not much. Despite my realistic view of my own limitations, some things make me want to jump out of my skin and remind me of just how limited I really am.

First, I see this video a while back. I've watched it and shown it to several people. The question is always the same, "How heartless do you have to be to look at this and still maintain that these people are doing something wrong?" Do those people who say it's wrong, it's a sin, it's not right, blah, blah, blah...do they realize that people once...people STILL say that about interracial relationships...or GASP interfaith relationships? They use the SAME arguments.



Then, I see this on a blog today. This about put me over the edge. Granted, I don't know why I still read this woman's blog. I learned during the Obama campaign that she and I are in VERY different places. I've since put all that behind me and enjoyed her blog for the pictures and stories about her unique family. Then, today, I see this:



Seriously? A call to action about what???? What exactly are you warning me about? Are you suggesting that ANY faith other than Christianity is a threat or just, specifically Islam? Either way, you're so blinded by your own fear that you don't see that you are perpetuating fear...you are SPREADING hatred. Any religion, yes EVEN Christianity is dangerous if its followers feel threatened. So by posting a video that uses a stern, scientific, and threatening voice to say a lot of numbers and post little pictures of 'dangerous' flags and entitle it, "Muslim Demographics", you are hardly spreading the love and compassion for others that you'd have everyone believe your version of Christianity is known for. To first say that we are doomed - at the point of no return, and then imply that we will soon be taken over by Muslim people...I'm horrified by the implications of "A call to action"! This is the same type of propaganda that was spread during the Holocaust. Why not replace "Muslims" with "Negros" or "Jews"? Do you have any idea about genocide or the Holocaust?

I suggest that those of you who feel the need to assert some type of superiority of one religion over another, first do your research. You'll find that the most commonly practiced religions are very similar, particularly in their beliefs about how one leads a virtuous life. These terrorists that commit horrendous acts in the name of Islam are really no different than those terrorists that burn down churches that are most attended by African-American people, or a group of "Christian" men that kidnap and beat to death a teenage boy for being gay. They are all individuals guilty of committing murder...and they are all individuals who use their faith to justify their actions. So, I ask you, should people be defined by what religion they subscribe to, or should they be defined by how they live their lives, how they care for others, and the contributions they make to life on this planet?

Which side are you on? Are you interested in teaching others to pray, or turning others into prey?