I've seen so many disheartening displays of "religion" throughout not only the news media, but also in my own experience. I've seen unity and peace go through the window over financial issues and corruption seep through the walls of sanctuaries. I've witnessed friendships crumble over differences in opinion. I've heard derogatory slurs from the mouths of self proclaimed religious individuals. I've met parents that threaten to disown their own children for not coinciding with their beliefs about religion, sex, or marriage. I've heard horror stories of picket signs outside abortion clinics condemning women to hell on behalf of God. I've seen someone who disagreed so strongly with the idea of unconditional love without the bounds of gender that he took 49 innocent lives.
We are all sinners. That is not the point I am trying to convey. It is okay to make mistakes and get caught up in things like money and gossip. It is not okay to hide behind your religion when you do these things. It is not okay to judge and to hate others while giving your religion as an excuse. Romans 2:1-3 states, "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?" Let God do the judging and deciding of what is ultimately right and wrong. Meanwhile, realize the insignificance of your criticism towards others and, instead, invest your time in righting your own wrongs.
By all means, have values and stand by them. But, please, do not use these values as an excuse to harbor hatred for a fellow human being. Whether you agree with another's sexual orientation, gender identity, culture, religion, etc. or not, remember that we are all human. We were all born onto this Earth and we will all leave it just the same. Not one opinion is anymore valid than another. You have the right to engage in sex before marriage, but who are you to judge someone who believes it is honorable to wait? You have the right to disagree with gay marriage, but who are you to impede on a couple's ability to legally bind their love?
Acceptance is the key to humanity. If we could all just learn to tolerate others for who they are and the opinions they have, the amount of hatred and violence plaguing our Earth would decrease exponentially. You don't have to agree with one another, but for the love of God, accept that we are all different and find your peace with that. In a utopia where we could all tolerate each other, all cultures, religions, etc. would be able to coincide. Hate crimes would be non-existent. We could debate about things without throwing insults and fists. With acceptance comes peace, and peace is the intended fruit of all religion.
