How are you? Are you good? OK let's get to it:
I think my biggest pet peeves stem from personal experience. Meaning that usually, I'm the one doing the thing that will eventually come to work my nerves. In all honesty, I'm probably guilty of this a lot more than I would like to admit. But I'm working on it. Lately, religious (or non religious) judgement has been the main topic of discussion among my long list of pet peeves.
First, I don't care what you believe, who you believe in, or if you believe at all. If you don't like my God, go find another one you like better. It's cool with me, I'm not going to judge you or try to change you. That's not my job. My job is to spread love, encouragement, and positivity in any way I can.
BUT, nothing, not one thing in this whole entire world (well, not at this moment) irks me more than seeing someone judged, stereotyped, or mocked for what they believe in. Here's an example:
Let's say you're a Christian or a believer of some other monotheistic religion, and I'm, well, not. Let's say I'm completely against all things religious. Then, one day, something bad happens to me. You, a firm believer in whatever it is you believe, offer your condolences and tell me that you are praying for me. To this sweet and thoughtful sentiment, I reply with some condescending remark that reflects my contradictory beliefs in order to ensure that you know, "I don't need your prayers, don't bother."
That is probably the rudest thing I have witnessed, to date. I mean seriously, if someone is religious, there's really nothing more sincere or genuine they could offer. They're offering to appeal to the highest power they know for your sake. Whether you believe it to be true or not is completely irrelevant. Sorry.
We as citizens of the U.S. originally came to this country in order to escape religious persecution (amongst other things). We are labeled as the "land of the free" and yet, there are stories everyday in the news about how, because of someone else's aptitude to be offended -- and narcissistic decisions, no one is allowed to express true belief in anything anymore because it isn't politically correct. That's not okay with me.
I'm tired of hearing the opinions of ignorant people.. Ignorant by their own choice, might I add. (Not ignorant as an insult, just in case you were wondering.) Just as not every follower of Islam is a radical terrorist, not every follower of Christ is an old-world Bible beater, and so on. But, if you were to listen to the conversations we have almost every single day, you would never know that. Not because people know what's really going on, but because people don't care enough to get the information themselves.
I don't care if you believe in God, if you believe in other gods, if you believe you are a god, or if you believe there is no god-- you have never been, nor will you ever be superior to anyone else because of your beliefs. A personal religion or a lack thereof says nothing about a persons intellect or worth. If you are religious, my charge to you would be to understand and open your mind to other beliefs; If you are not, understand and open your mind to the concept of religion. I'm not asking for you to believe, support, or approve of opposing beliefs, simply push yourself to understand them.
Take my advice, you'll be able to connect with other people because of it. If you choose not to take my advice, then please, do yourself and everyone else a favor: Take people as they are. Oh, and keep your small-minded opinion from escaping out of your big mouth.
I'M OUT.
