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This last week I had a bit of a 'rant and rave' moment. I read an article online written by one of the most vile people I think I've ever had the chance to encounter. This writer spoke opinions on certain subjects that so infuriated me I chose to respond. It struck me after I sent the email that I hadn't published a new entry here in several weeks... So here you are...
Dear Mr. Morford,
I was led to your 2005 article about the Duggar Family from a Google search related to the recent headlines announcing the Duggar family is expecting their 18th child. Intrigued by their story and your opinions (in some twisted way), I read a few of your more recently published items. I decided, against my better judgment, to take a few minutes out of my day to equally express to you my opinions on similar subject matter and so I shall. Although, I have not yet come to the determination of whether or not the time is to be well spent.
To kick things off, I'd like to mention that your small minded intolerance and unwillingness or incapability to see the joy of life through any eyes other than your own astounds me. You see, simple things like acceptance and tolerance and compassion, above all else, are the basic values on which our country was founded and in turn are the very things that give you the right to publish your opinions so openly.
I find that incredibly ironic.
This country was founded by men, women and children who suffered through great hardships of persecution and intolerance in their homelands of which you could not possibly imagine. They believed that a people should not be persecuted for their beliefs or values or any personal practices related to those beliefs and values. They willingly gave all they had to endure long and often fatal journeys across the ocean only to find more turmoil in sickness and disease when they arrived, but they were happy and contented by the knowledge they would be a free people. Throughout the past 300+ years our colonial forefathers and countless other Americans have carried on and held hope in our hearts through numerous wars and battles in this country and others because they truly believed in a cause.
Do you really have a cause? And would you be willing to give all you had to acheive it? I haven't found mine yet. I sometimes wish I did and that I would because it would mean that my actions meant something.
There are those who believe that a God or many gods symbolize their ideals of the best possible person and that they should aspire to achieve the same in themselves and whenever possible invite and encourage those around them to do the same. There are also those who take those beliefs to such an extreme that their teachings and doctrine become messages conveying quite the opposite. They are all people. They all believe in something. They are everywhere and are part of every culture and community across the globe without exception. They are straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered. They are black, white and all other colors of the cultural rainbow. They are Republicans, Democrats, Liberals, Fascists, Communists and so on. They come in all shapes and sizes. They are male and female; in some cases possibly both or neither as the apparent fate of their sexual orientation appears to reside in the hands of science. They are Jews, Catholics, Hindus, Baptists, Muslims, Pagans, Methodists, Sikhs, Protestants, Mormons, Orthodox, Wiccans, Lutherans, Buddhists, Atheists and Scientologists. I could go on and on. Their common bond? They are all people.
Doesn’t everyone everywhere want to be accepted and tolerated without fear of persecution for their beliefs or ‘non-beliefs’, dependant upon which side of the fence you call home? Doesn’t that display at least a one-sided theory of acceptance? It would seem that the best way to be continually accepted and tolerated by others would be to be continuously accepting and tolerant of others. No beginning or end to the effort and no one expecting to receive more than he is willing to give. No, that’s far too easy. It has to be more complicated and controversial if it’s really going to mean anything.
I find it interesting that a God, who may or may not exist for some or all or none of us, is mentioned in every governmental document that was signed and sealed in these United States of America during the founding of our nation and in countless others beyond those first days of our infancy as a country. This God who is today still, addressed in prayer by our government leaders at the start of every session in both the House of Representatives and the Congress as well as innumerable gatherings of governments and nations throughout the world.
A prayer, by definition, is quite simply for all intents and purposes a spoken wish or reverent thought regardless of who it is addressed to. In these prayers offered by the leaders of our nation, they give thanks for the gifts of freedom bestowed upon us as Americans, including I might add—our right to assemble and our right to free speech. Our leaders pray for guidance in making decisions affecting the lives of the American people. Our leaders pray for the safety for those defending our country and our beliefs.
Knowing this, I find it very ironic that our children are reprimanded at school when praying for the very same things. It does not matter if you believe it is The Almighty God or Jesus Christ or Mother Earth or Buddah or Jehovah or Allah or Santa Clause who is listening; are they not all gods by definition? The consistent intent is that they will assist in the realization of these wishes and thoughts spoken aloud. A prayer is a beautiful display of belief in something, anything, with hope of achieving a better result to benefit a greater good for all—even those who don’t believe in a god of any kind.
For the record, I do not actively practice any religious faith, organized or otherwise; I just believe in treating people the way I want to be treated. I do not claim any political party. I am white, single and in that 20 to 30-something age bracket. I think I’m considered lower middle-class according to the government’s definition. I’ve worked hard for what I have achieved in my life, which isn’t much—but it’s mine and I don’t mind sharing with others when and if the opportunity presents itself. I am by no means perfect; I’m human and I’ve definitely made my share of mistakes and bad decisions. I’ve never been on welfare. I pay my own bills which means I provide food and shelter for myself. I pay my taxes which means I also provide food, shelter, clothing and medical attention for thousands of other Americans and immigrants (legal or otherwise)—which can be somewhat uncomfortable at times but I try not to complain about it.
I struggle to understand why, when there are tens of thousands of able-bodied Americans out of work, I am required to explain my dilemma to someone in India or Indonesia when I dial an 800 number for customer service at Microsoft or MasterCard or many other major American corporations. I have friends and family in the military and am grateful for their willingness to serve and defend this country—whenever and wherever they are needed. I don’t always use recycled products but if they are available I don’t mind spending a little extra money. I probably take too long in the shower and my car is not hybrid or electric. I try to do my part to make the world a better place. I believe our problems with pollution are social as well as environmental. They are as related to excessive media coverage of personal events in the lives celebrities or anyone else that are truly none of anyone else’s business just as much as they are to bad air quality and too much waste. I try to eat healthy natural foods whenever I can and exercise as often as possible.
Bottom line is I think I’m a somewhat average American citizen.
I think what makes me different is that I don’t mind who you are or that you exist or that your beliefs and values may be different from mine; just don’t rub my nose in it or accuse me of doing something wrong. It’s one thing to share your opinion. It’s an entirely different thing to completely and intentionally degrade or deface others in the process; that’s just plain tacky behavior and bad manners.
One one hand I could say the articles I’ve read with your name attached are colorful and well written examples of a talented writer expressing his opinions, however small minded or out of touch I personally might feel they are. On the other hand I could say your articles are an incredibly profound insight into the life of a sad and lonely man who suffers from a great deal of unhappiness deeply rooted in personal insecurity and social angst at his own life choices who probably wasn’t given much attention or discipline as a child and is very likely already seeing a therapist at least twice a week to help him deal with his shame at being raised in a very large, very religious, very traditional Norman Rockwell-esque family environment where he felt persecuted and abandoned because he is a flamer and since he came out to his family they don't accept or tolerate him the way they used to... but that would be mean.
Worth it or not the time has been spent and regardless of whether or not I'd like to have it back; I won't get it.
No Regrets, S
