Did I stand in line yesterday?

The answer might surprise you or it might not.  I don't know.  The answer doesn't really matter, but the subject does.  The question that matters to me is, "WHY were people standing in line?".  Because they hate gay people?  I seriously doubt it - not for most.  Because they oppose gay marriage?  Perhaps - seems strange to me, but perhaps that was the reason for some.  Maybe it was because they believe in the right of free speech AND the right to believe they way we choose and not be punished for it.  I can only hope that this was the reason for the vast majority. 

I care about the reasons. The reasons say a lot about the world in which we live.  The way we react to each other is quite revealing. 

I can only speak for myself on this and any other issue.  I am a Christian.  I do not call myself religious and do not hold fast to a particular denomination.  I want to live the way Christ teaches me - with love.  I don't always do that perfectly.  In fact, I struggle daily with this.  I want people to know that God loves each and every one of us.  Period.  No question.  No doubt in my mind.  I try my best to treat everyone I meet with the respect and love of Christ.  Again, I fail miserably every day.  I keep trying.  I try to forgive as I have been forgiven.  This is a tough one.  (Like the love part, isn't?)

The thing that concerns me most about all of this the lack of love, grace and tolerance for the views/beliefs of others.  It seems as though many do not care about trying to understand another view or even respect it.  People do not seem to care unless it directly affects them, which leads me to my point.  Apathy is a terrible thing.  Apathy is defined by Widipedia as a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation and passion.  An apathetic individual has an absence of interest in or concern about emotional, social, spiritual, philosophical and/or physical life.

My running bud and I were discussing a famous quote the other day.  It is by German theologian, Martin Neimoller and it goes like this:

First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me

and there was no one left to speak out for me.

I hope that those who stood in line yesterday, stood for our right to believe as we choose - whatever that belief.  I hope those who stood were not standing for hate.  I hope that good intentions will not be spun into evil intent.  I hope that, when the day comes for each of us - and it will - we will be able to stand for one another and protect our individual right to believe as we choose.  

As far as I know, the business in question and the person who owns it are good and positive for our nation.  I have never heard of anyone being forced to believe his way - employee or customer.  He delivers a good product with good service, generally speaking.  I will continue to support his business because I like the product and I like their service.  The day I walk in and they try to force any kind of philosophy or belief on me, is the last day I will support that business.  Somehow, I don't think this will happen.

My picture of the day is, of course: 

 

It's my picture of the day, but not for the reason you probably think.  I came close to causing a bit of a scene today in our local restaurant.  I did stand in line today because I was out with my girls, we were hungry, we like their food and appreciate their gluten free options.  As we were sitting there, enjoying our meal, we began to discuss the happenings and the fallout of yesterday and the days leading up to it.  

Luckily, we were at the back of the restaurant and I was facing the wall.  I began to think of my many friends who have felt hurt during this time because of this event and some of the things that have been said.  I felt angry because someone thinks they can read my heart according to the chicken I eat.  That's not possible. 

As I was talking, a flood of emotion rose up and I almost had to excuse myself from the table.  I gathered myself and we finished up our conversation, concluding that it is a bizarre thing this has turned into.  This is not a religious issue for me.  It is not a homosexual/heterosexual issue for me.  It is about the right to have your own opinion.  It is about free speech. I may not agree with someone, but that doesn't give me the right to shut them down.  That is scary. 

Let us not be apathetic to what's going on in our culture today.  Let's not take a stand against each other.  Let us take a stand against anyone who would force us into a society where we must all be the same.  Let us celebrate our differences and our diversity.  We will not all agree all of the time - have we ever?  No. 

We live in a free country - let's not give that up.