I am, by no stretch of the imagination, a perfect person. This is just a place that I can put my religious thought on "paper".
People are critical of what they don't know, of what seems new or strange to them. And I am certainly not immune to or innocent of criticism. I have my days. Generally when I am frustrated or angry with an idea, a group of people, or a situation. Today, it's an individual.
I have a wonderful neighbor who comes to visit once a month. She brings a companion with her and we chat for an hour or so and then they share their religious thoughts and go home. I am not on the same religious page as they are, but I think that the more important part of my interaction is to find what we have in common.
This month, with the observant Christian holiday, it was Jesus. Apropos. And I can agree with much of what they share. I think we fail to do that where I make my habitat. We spend so much time trying to prove our own point of view, we fail to see what we share. In this case, Jesus. One of my heros.
I enjoyed the visit and I look forward to the next visit. They should feel comfortable sharing with me without the fear of ridicule or sidling. I only wish that it were the same in all similar situations. Arrogance, pretension, disdain and disgust are difficult things to disguise. I've yet to encounter someone who is good at hiding conceit to an others idea or belief when they refuse to find what is common. And it's a terrible, degrading feeling to be benefactor of such behavior.
People are critical of what they don't know, of what seems new or strange to them. And I am certainly not immune to or innocent of criticism. I have my days. Generally when I am frustrated or angry with an idea, a group of people, or a situation. Today, it's an individual.
I have a wonderful neighbor who comes to visit once a month. She brings a companion with her and we chat for an hour or so and then they share their religious thoughts and go home. I am not on the same religious page as they are, but I think that the more important part of my interaction is to find what we have in common.
This month, with the observant Christian holiday, it was Jesus. Apropos. And I can agree with much of what they share. I think we fail to do that where I make my habitat. We spend so much time trying to prove our own point of view, we fail to see what we share. In this case, Jesus. One of my heros.
I enjoyed the visit and I look forward to the next visit. They should feel comfortable sharing with me without the fear of ridicule or sidling. I only wish that it were the same in all similar situations. Arrogance, pretension, disdain and disgust are difficult things to disguise. I've yet to encounter someone who is good at hiding conceit to an others idea or belief when they refuse to find what is common. And it's a terrible, degrading feeling to be benefactor of such behavior.
My religion was recently criticized, albeit wrapped and encircled in articulate and fancy verbiage. Critical none the less. It was unfortunate criticism. Delivered without the least bit of understanding or prior knowledge. It was, criticism at its worst. Given with sting, bite and without solution or reason. It was a judgement without any understanding, without any knowing of my religion. It was a back door indictment, delivered with a smug toss of the nose.
I choose not to be in the company of such individuals. Bitter, doesn't taste good. And you, your religion, your religious beliefs, your situation, your intelligence....are not better than me. We are, all of us, a work in progress. If you can't dig dirt like the rest of us, we don't need your help. Well, I think I feel better.
I choose not to be in the company of such individuals. Bitter, doesn't taste good. And you, your religion, your religious beliefs, your situation, your intelligence....are not better than me. We are, all of us, a work in progress. If you can't dig dirt like the rest of us, we don't need your help. Well, I think I feel better.
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