This time of year, is a time of reflection. I want to reflect on the subject of Respect and Tolerance, if nobody objects. I always was taught that you give respect out of out of courtesy, to a person's right to live as they see fit, even if they don't agree with your life or you don't agree with their's. Lately though, that has seemed to have gone out the window with the baby's bath water, as this year- 2016, draws to a close. Now I won't go on with names or blames, but I will tell a story.
A Christian-faithed (note I don't say "Religion"), young Gentleman, of Filipino and Caucasian descent, keeps company of a Wiccan, for a Best Friend, and fell for an Atheist, whom he loved. Which one do you think showed more "Tolerance" for the young man's beliefs? The answer's obvious here... The Wiccan BFF. The Atheist soon found her escape from a chap who was nothing but empathetic and honest with her. The Young Man doesn't regret but one thing though, and that's that she revealed too much at the end, causing the Young Man to lose the last of his old respect for her.
Too many times does "Tolerance" comes with "Conditions" in this day and age. Isn't the point of "Tolerance" to Respect the Rights of Others and Other's Right to Live as they see fit for themselves and have it returned in kind- not as condition but courtesy? I find this hard- that in order for "Tolerance" to be real, to say a person won't bake a cake on principal is okay for one chap, but not for another, That's not "Tolerance," that's "Hypocrisy!" Instead of being reasonable and finding another bakery, people whine, cry, and file lawsuits. That's like a Spoiled-Rotten Child crying, when they don't get their way... No, that's exactly what it is! Instead of Maturity and Respect of an Individual Person's Rights, People go out and actually do this. It's plain boar wild Crazy!
Longing to tie this all up, resentment at all ways of believing or not believing as like yourself is astounding and dumbfounding. An Atheist can go on for days on how "Religion" and "Superstition" is the inciter of Violence. They can bring up the Crusades, Pol Pot, and Adolf Hitler. Quickly do they forget Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il and Kim Jong-un. Not to mention, Fidel Castro (a lot of praise, for healthcare and education, but have we forgotten about the REAL Criminals- Rapists, Murderers, et cetera, released to our southern shores of Florida, during the Mariel Boat Lift?). You can't say "Religion" and "Superstition," incites "Violence," when you have Atheists with so much blood on their hands. I knew an Atheist, who'd fight every religious group who comes to the college's campus, and even go out of their way to perform lewd acts in front of places of Worship. Good Grief! Find me an Atheist who doesn't go out of their way to argue about beliefs, and respects each person's right to live as each see's fit, and I'll buy you AND the Atheist, a slice of Pizza and a Bowl of Gelato!
I guess a lot of people, expect either something in return for their something, or something for nothing. Instead, do what ever act you do, especially "Respect" and "Tolerance," with an attitude of "Hey, I'll do it not for anything but my own self." If you don't and can't "Respect" and "Tolerate" your own self, then how can you do it to Others? How can you "Respect" and "Tolerate" other people, if you can't "Respect" and "Tolerate" your own personal self? You couldn't to save your life. Find your self-respect, find your self-tolerance, and the rest is easy as pie. Find ten (10) good things about yourself, that are tolerable and respectable. You'd be surprised at how much it can change your whole outlook on your life. Even if you can't find ten, how many ever you were able to find, is certainly better than none at all. You've got to start looking on the "Bright Side of Life" Millennials, Gen X, and All People really!
In closing, I'd like to wish you all a Happy Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a Happy Kwanzaa, and a Merry New Year in 2017. The year 2016 was a "Hot Mess" for lack of better terms. Let us heal and hope for the best. Life, Liberty, Civil Rights and Progress, will ALL Continue, regardless of who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. 20500. So everybody calm down, and don't worry... Be Happy!
