Everyone has different beliefs and values, but is it worth dividing ourselves over such matters. Opinions are not fact, there isn't a matter of who is right and who is wrong. People are always complaining about about what's wrong with today's society, but the biggest issue is what we lack. We lack respect for each other. Respect doesn't mean you agree with everything a person says or even like what they're doing, but respect their opinion and choices in life. Honestly, it's conceited to think your beliefs and thoughts are more just than those around you. What's the problem if your neighbor is islamic, if your brother is gay, if your best friend is a radical republican, or your grandma is christian? We let little stuff like this define who the people are around us. We should share beliefs and values to get a better understandering of each otther, not separate us. My childhood friends is gothic and is the biggest christian you'll ever meet, who probably knows more bible verses (and lives by them) than the the average church goer.

Yet if you were to see him on the street, you'd probably feel intimidated or afraid of/for him. We allow these labels to cloud our judgement and build into arrogance. It's okay if you disagree with someone and it's okay if you don't like them but have the decency to respect their way of life. We need to discard the rule "an eye for an eye" because as Ghandi said "it leaves the world blind." Be open, you can learn from others about the world, yourself, and your surroundings. It's good to have strong beliefs, but it's disrepectful to push them onto others and to condemn people for not agreeing with you. You wouldn't want someone to scoff at what you think and believe, then don't do it to other people as well. You'll find life is easier and more enjoyable if you respect others' opinions instead of fighting against them. Every one has a right to their opinion, but no one should ever be offensive or rude.

"If you have nothing nice to say then don't say anything at all." This means don't be intentionally nasty to others for how they look, their actions and values. Living together in this world would become easy if people would respect each other more. It's ironic how almost every religion wants to share their teachings, recognizes there are other religions, and to respect your common man, not spill blood over a disagreement. Granted, this isn't possible all over the world but I thought the "melting pot" of the world would learn that everyone is different and we need to respect each other in order to thrive in the land of the free. Agruments will happen but don't hate someone who's a little different from you. If you're going to hate then hate them for the person they are not for their beliefs. Treat others how you'd want to be treated, and you'll find that respecting others is pretty easy.