Really? I saw this bumper sticker
on the van in front of me this morning. You really don't want to get me started on this. I'm not saying believing what the bumper sticker indicates is wrong (well yeah I sorta am) but do you need to advertise your narrow minded beliefs on your car? I love that it was not the only bumper sticker, the other was for of course the local Christian radio station. Again, I know it is their right as Americans to believe whatever they want and to voice their opinion, or in this case paste them on their car. But I find it ironic that the Christian radio station sticker seems to be saying "Love your neighbor". And on the opposite side of the van the marriage sticker seems to be screaming back "Just as long as they are part of a traditional nuclear family and are just like me". Sort of preaching love and intolerance all at once.
(which in a nutshell explains my current lack of involvement in any church, but that's a whole 'nother topic) Anyway, it just really hit me wrong. My hubby and I are trying to teach our girls to be open minded and accepting of others. How can I possibly believe that my daughters will have an equal chance to reach their dreams if we still live in a world so full of prejudice? We have conversations that start out like this a lot in our house, "Some people believe that..."
I don't feel I am a talented enough writer to truly get my point across here. So I'm going to refer to the source.
1 John 4:19-21:
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
And I know there are many interpretations this verse.
Matthew 7:12
Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
But the very literal interpretation that I am going with here, is let GOD judge, he is the only one who can. In short, live and let live, God will sort it all out when the time comes.
And again with the idea that I am totally inept to write about such a subject I leave you with some quotes from one of the most eloquent writers I have read.
Maya Angelou
It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.While I know myself as a creation of God, I am also obligated to realize and remember that everyone else and everything else are also God's creation. ps I am perfectly aware that I may get some backlash from this post. I am putting my opinion out there too, but in a forum where you read if you want to. NO ONE is forcing you to read my opinion in traffic. And I welcome other viewpoints in the comments as long as everyone plays nice.
We have gay friends who have been together way longer than some straight couples we know who were married (now divorced).
-Stu
My verification word was "moanr", which is true..
Anonymous said...
April 23, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Stu, see now that should count for something. I say a family is what works for you.
Oh and thanks for stopping by. I just stumbled upon 1badmom and am loving it!
Karen said...
April 23, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Damn, this is GOOD!!!
Anonymous said...
April 23, 2008 at 8:49 PM
Amen, sistah! This post is very well put. I agree with every word.
And thanks for stopping by The Jason Show today. I appreciate your kind comments more than you know.
PS-Stu cracked me up. . ."moanr". .
Jason, as himself said...
April 23, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Hi Jason! *waving like a crazed fan* I have been stalking... um reading your blog for the past two days. I am telling you better stories than any book I've read lately!
Karen said...
April 23, 2008 at 11:21 PM
This post is beautiful! I've added you to my List of Heroes. Thank you. :)
Unknown said...
April 24, 2008 at 6:54 AM
Okay, now that I have stewed about this for the day and my brain is focused I am replying.
People do the children of this world no justice by infiltrating them with such narrow minded crap. I personally know enough of these people to make my stomach churn. I want my kids to know all the differences in the world, to be not only tolerant but accepting. How can they not realize by putting judgemental CRAP like that out for EVERYONE to see that it is breeding hatefulness. You can't claim to be proclaiming the word of God and condeming people in the same breath, that is the exact definition of hypocrite!
I am so lucky that my kids have the ability to see the diversity in the friends that my hubby and I have...Black, Hispanic, White, Asian, Jewish, Hindu, Christian, Wiccan, Gay, Lesbian, Straight, it's all there. I hope that my kids will always understand that no one person is any better than the other by the color of their skin, the people that choose to love or the religion they choose to believe.
Am I Naive? Maybe. But all I can do in this world is teach my kids every person is valuable!
Okay, I will come down off the soapbox now! :)
Drama said...
April 24, 2008 at 9:15 AM
You have eloquently said what you believe. It is really hard to not be judgmental of the judgmental.
I go with what Maya said (and the Bible, too) - God made everyone, even the pains in our asses. We have to try to love them even when it makes us grouchy...
One of my favorite bumper stickers: "Jesus Loves You. Everyone Else Thinks You're An Asshole."
stephanie said...
April 24, 2008 at 10:35 AM
I feel better about the world my kids are growing up in after reading all your comments.
And Stephanie, any idea where I can get THAT bumper sticker? HI-Larious!
Karen said...
April 24, 2008 at 10:45 AM
If only some people would just worry about themselves instead of trying to tell everyone else how they should be.
Jenn @ Juggling Life said...
April 24, 2008 at 11:45 AM