We’ve all heard about the big news passed here in the great backward state of Mississippi. As much as I love my home, it absolutely kills me to see our leaders make these kinds of decisions. This article stems from the debate on that legislation but I will not comment on it in detail. After reading up on the new bill, it’s hard not to see it as a giant leap back into our past. However, as terrible as it will sound to some, both sides do sort of have a point, one more so than the other. But as they say, history repeats itself. Looks like we’ve got a long road ahead here in the 'Hospitality State.'
It didn’t take long at all to catch wind of this; my social media feeds were overflowing with angry posts, pictures, and slogans. I was sort of appalled at what I was reading at first. Then I remembered where I live and it made sense. One of my Facebook friends, who is a gay man, posted a status about a random woman he ran into. She told him the name of a book he needed to go look up. So, he did. It was a book on how gays are going to go straight through God. This woman did not know anything about the man she spoke to. She made a judgement based on what she saw and deeply hurt someone’s feelings. I was deeply saddened by this and how inhumane our fellow humans can be.
Throughout this week, there has been one song on my mind. What is that song? “All You Need is Love” by none other than The Beatles. The lyrics basically say all you need to do anything in life is love. I think that sentiment is lost on some people these days. We live in a world where there is so much hatred from all corners of the world for a variety of reasons. This situation is no different. Perhaps this isn’t a matter of hate but one of fearing something you don’t understand or hiding behind something bigger than you rather than face it and try to accept it. Maybe it is hatred for something some feel is wrong and unnatural. I don’t know. I’m not a mind reader.
One thing I do know is that the Golden Rule (clearly stated in the Bible so many hide behind) applies in this situation; treat others as you wish to be treated. It costs nothing to be a decent human being and respect those who are different. Put your religion aside and put yourself in someone else’s shoes before you pass a judgement or decide to be a jerk. Think about this: if the situation was reversed and Christians were the ones being discriminated against, they would feel the same way. There would be a massive backlash just as there was in the past when Christians were being terrorized. But, we live in a country that protects an individual’s right to worship as they please. So, they’re safe. Discrimination is one of those things I feel like doesn't follow what you learn in Bible study. But I could be wrong.
It's another sticky, delicate situation. But we're all human; no one is less than someone else because of the color of their skin, how they dress, love, worship, talk, etc. You'd think we'd have learned that lesson by now. It's time we stop approaching people who are different with fear, a desire to try to change them, and the desire to protect ourselves from them. Accept the fact that not everyone is going to believe the same things you do and that there is nothing wrong with that. Approach those who are different with an open mind and a caring attitude, not because they need saving but because they are humans with feelings, too. Believe it or not, they also have the same set of rights you do and will react the same way you will when they are being denied those rights.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, if you're part of the group that is being targeted, know that there are tons of people on your side who care about your rights as a person and your ability to live in the same happy, carefree way they do. We will stand by your side and fight with you. Haters are going to hate but you should always be the bigger person and show them how they should act towards their fellow man.
You also have the ability to take comfort in someone who loves you. The law can't take that from you. If you have a loving support system, then that's all you need in life. Forget the haters and surround yourself with people that love you. Leave the people who feel the need to shy away from you in the dust. If you have people around you who love and support you, that's all you need, just like The Beatles say.
Approach life in general with more love. The world needs it. After all, you get out of the world what you put into it.