“Your body is a temple.” A beautiful phrase and sentiment that should not be used to dictate other’s personal choices. When a person uses this phrase, they don’t seem to realize what a temple (or any place of worship, meditation, or peace) entails.

Temples are often renovated, both inside and out. A lift there, a fix here, or a total reconstruction. Some temples are repainted. Some have murals or graffiti, while some choose adornments and decorations. These differences do not destroy the temple. These changes do not harm it. They help it to stand out, to make the congregation confident and unique.

There is beauty in an untouched, pristine temple; there is beauty in a decorated temple that’s fallen on difficult times. Temples gain followers and expand, while some lose their extra followers and consolidate. The size of the temple does not change its worth or determine the value of what goes on inside.

Some temples require a membership for entry, while others enjoy visitors that only stay a day. As long as a temple is happy with the policy; it is not for the community to judge. One temple may allow wine and alcohol at fellowship, while another does not. Both are acceptable forms of communion.

The only “damaged” temples are those that are crumbling and isolated, dilapidated structures that struggle to gain the foundation they once had. But as a community, we should not mock or judge. This is when it is time to step up and help. To prove that the outside of your temple adequately reflects what occurs inside behind closed doors.

My temple’s name is Nina. It has ear piercings and dyed hair.

His temple is painted in tattoos and chooses only to allow vegetables and fruits.

Her temple has many piercings and eats a lot of cheeseburgers.

Her temple has now become his temple.

Not one of these temples is any better than the others. Not one temple is more worthy of admiration, or more deserving of disdain than another.

It’s not the temple that matters. It’s the spirit within. What is the inside of your temple like?