Anyone watch Family Guy? I love that show. Remember when Peter had a segment on the local news, What Grinds My Gears? That's how I feel with these rants sometimes, it's kind of fun.
So I am sure you have seen me write, heard me say, or otherwise learned through the grapevine that I am rather open minded. I do have my opinions, but it doesn't mean I cannot listen to yours. I also have a diversified group of friends and acquaintances. I know I have some friends that would absolutely despise some of my other friends and vice versa. For that reason I do not put those friends in the same room, without a paying audience.
You ask, what do you want to complain about today, KG? Well, I'll tell you. How come we can't all get along?! And this is for ALL my friends, not just the liberals or the conservatives or the Mormons or the Mormon haters.
Lets use a little analogy. I like the color green. It is my favorite color. Lets say your favorite color is blue. You find a group of people that also like the color blue. I find some friends that like the color green. You and your group of friends decide you hate the color green. Soon you decided that you also hate all people that like the color green. Eventually your disgust for the color green leads you to attack me personally. Am I green? Am I any different from when we started because I like the color green? Is each individual in my group of "green lovers" the exact same person because we like the color green?
Now blue is your "truth" and green is mine. We reverse roles, and it is I and my friends that hate and despise you and your friends for your love of blue. Is your "truth" so much more important than mine that it is OK for you to hate and persecute me, but it is not OK to be hated and persecuted?
Too vague? OK, lets get dirty. What is your opinion on Abortion? How about gay marriage? Border control? Politics? Sports? Death penalty? God? You will have your opinion. I will have mine. Why is your opinion more important than mine? I have no right to attack or persecute you because your opinion is not the same as mine, so do not feel that you do have the right to attack me.
Understandably having different opinions will cause debate and disagreement, and such is life. But debate and discussion are based on facts, logic, reason, and the pursuit of an understanding. Hate motivated attacks, personal slander, and the constant need to make everyone believe the same as you are all signs of a close minded bigot.
I am sure all of you are reading this and saying, "Well duh! Who wouldn't agree?!". But I am calling all of you out on the carpet! Think about your values and opinions. How do you react to someone that disagrees with you? I am not talking about someone standing on a soap box in the park spouting hatred. Just punch him in the fun sacks. I am talking about some guy you meet at a party. The conversation casually turns to current affairs and he happens to mention that he voted for ( or against, depending on your views ) Prop 8. What do you do? Do your fists clinch, your teeth grind and adrenaline begin pumping? Do you call him a moron and proceed to tell him why he is wrong?
Don't get me wrong, seek your truth. Study all the facts and reach your logical conclusions. Be passionate about your beliefs and share your knowledge where appropriate. But don't think that yours is the only right answer. You may be right. They may be wrong. But that doesn't change the fact that nothing is ever solved with anger. And just keep your mind open because there is always the chance that YOU are the one that is wrong.
Cya in 7
Next week: "Here is The Church, Here is The Steeple, Open The Doors And There's All The People."
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RESPECT. if we all had some, it might be a better place to hang.
ReplyDeletethis got my blood to boil a little bit.. would like to say a few things but the filter has come into place. interesting read.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand and agree with what you are saying. That is why I try to stay clear of debates expecially on facebook. My in laws are very one sided in their oppinions and it drives me crazy. I grew up with parents believing in different political parties so I consider myself to be open minded. Thanks for the rant I really enjoyed it. I was knodding my head the whole time.
ReplyDeleteWell said my friend!!! Keep up the good work!!
ReplyDeleteAgreed - all I could think about when reading this "rant" was Miss California. I wish she could have been respected by a certain judge for her opinion.
ReplyDeleteThanks KG. You are always giving us something to think about.
"The capacity for getting along with our neighbor depends to a large extent on the capacity for getting along with ourselves. The self-respecting individual will try to be as tolerant of his neighbor's shortcomings as he is of his own." Eric Hoffer
ReplyDeleteThe only way to make sure people you agree with can speak is to support the rights of people you don't agree with." Eleanor Holmes Norton
It's all about tolerance baby. That's one major reason I love Obama. He listens to and educates himself on both sides of every argument before he makes a decision.
Aimee remove the filter and let her rip! we want to hear what you have to say. You won't offend anyone. at least not KG or me!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Angee. Let's hear it Aimee. You won't offend me. Unless you can me fat. Then I might be hurt.
ReplyDeleteWhoops, dang kid is always on here. I accidentally used her account again.
ReplyDeleteGood read! I'm a confrontational wimp. I have thin skin, and I'm always worried it will turn personal, and I won't be able to brush it off my back and stay friends so I avoid political and religious confrontation. Wimpy. I know. You must all have elephant skin. I could never do this. I listen and read, and take it all in, but I don't contribute very often.
ReplyDeleteI did get into a bit of a confrontation. I was at my neighbors. A relative of theirs was watching a show on "bigfoot". I was making polite conversation and said, "I just don't understand how anyone can really believe bigfoot is real.... And he proceeded to tell me all the factual information in his arsenal about how very real bigfoot is. All I could say is, "wow, that's a really good point" and walk away on the pretense of wanting some more food.
Please don't attack me because I'm a non believer.
It's not you and KG I'm worried about... it's all those other lurking eyes on a public page. I've learned to keep my mouth shut these days.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to reply to comments here in Blogger, but I am breaking my rule this once. A-me if you speak your mind on here and anyone attacks your opinion, you will prove my point and drag out the people that really need to read this message. You should never have to feel bad about sharing your opinion, as long as it is a respectful one. Anyone that attacks you needs to open their mind and LISTEN, even if they do not agree.
ReplyDelete