Discussions

Okay, so first off, let me state for the obvious that in regards to all matters of life, I try to be completely fair, and call all things right down the middle. But what I saw on Sunday, really gets me a little riled up. As I drove home from work, I passed a group of Pro Life supporters forming a line from the corner of Victoria Ave all the way down to the clinic. Almost each and every one of the supporters had a pro life/jesus is the way blah blah blah sign. To me, I find this insulting to both me, and the very religion they represent. Don't get me wrong, i spent 10 years of my life, from the age of 18-28 looking for all of lifes answers in a church. And while I no longer believe in that "higher calling", or that belief in God, i agree that everyone has a right to believe in whatever they choose. As long a sit doesn't cross the lines of decency, or force belief on others. And while theose supporters that I saw on sunday may simply state that they were proudly displaying their beliefs, i feel that they were indeed not. The very basis of their biblical beliefs states that as a core fundamental, everyone has a choice to make. Right or wrong, good or bad. Everyone has that right, everyone has that freedom. But when a group of religious zealots TAKE OVER a PUBLIC street, and force everyone to listen to their beliefs, the that is crossing the line. and to believe that no one would oppose them is even more insulting. Essentially, these people are believing that they are listening to a "higher call", and have been "chosen" to be a voice in society. But a voice for what exactly? A voice that tells people what should be right or wrong? A voice that tells people that some choices should not be allowed? A voice that forces religious indoctrination on people? Again, that is not freedom, that is subjugation. What they did on sunday is not religious expression, it is essentilly a bunch of people who are waging what they consider to be another faction of a religious war on what they view is a wrong action. But do they ever think about the other viewpoint? Why do people believe in freedom of choice? Why do people support Pro choice? Because, ultimately, everyone has that right and freedom. If someone is raped, and forced to conceive a child that they did not want, then what freedom is that? Sure, they could conceive, give birth, and then let the child be adopted, but again, that is not freedom of choice. That does not give people the basic fundamental choice and freedom that the book of lies known as the Bible set out to give the human species. In retrospect, people who are strongly religious may say that society itself takes away all the rights and freedoms of anyone who believes, by denying their "God" , or religious leadersthe right to govern, so in all aspects, they are also denied their freedom. But when you choose to follow a religion, no matter how hard you may try to convince yourself otherwise, you make the choice to be seperate from society and the human experience, and to follow a seperate set of rules than that of society. Therefore, you are free to believe whatever you may want, but to try and force your rules and beliefs on others at the expense of their ability to choose for themselves, or to even make a wrong choice in the first place, denies them what you deny to yourself.  
so, if anyone who reads this was at that rally, I again state that I support your ability to believe. but you need to understand that not every one needs to be a part of your version of what you think is truth. And the next time you hold a rally, you may want to consider NOT holding a street ransom in your holy war. Use a political and fair stance. And if our city council DID allow you to use that street, then shame on them.  
 
 
 
 
Edited by Brianathome, 2009-10-05 10:35:59