C'mon!

So, my mom send me this badass video:

First and foremost, I love flash mobs. And I cried while watching this, because the music is AMAZING, regardless of the religion attached.

So, after watching it, I started to browse the comments, which was obviously a mistake.

While there were people praising the beauty of the music, the logistics and rehearsal that were obviously involved in putting this together - a good handful of creeps turned it into a gross religious debate.

Someone said this:

acts and celebrations of faith have their place in this country. And it's not where people are trying to eat dinner. If it was held in a public park, people would have the option of avoiding it. How can you be sure that everyone was enjoying it? They could have edited out the people who stood up and took their dinner else where. This fragrant (sic) act of flaunting Christ should not be so intrusive in our lives. They should have been more respectful of other faiths during their meal time.

And while I DO understand the point of view, to a very small degree, why is it about THAT? Why does everyone freak the FUCK out if they can smell religion in the air? THE MUSIC WAS BEAUTIFUL! Why can't it be left at that?

Beyond THAT argument, people started throwing Muslims under the bus:

...However, I wonder how people would take it if a bunch of Muslims did the same and sang God is Great in such a diner/food court. Would other have been offended? Free speech you say?

I hope not. I hope that no matter what religion you are, and what you believe, you can respect the beauty of the arts. Why don't we understand and appreciate each other better, and say "Oh yes, that was a beautiful song!" Rather than "Your God is not MY God, and I don't want to see or hear about YOUR God ever! Especially through song." Can't we all just get along? Can't we all be friends? Seriously.

My goodness, we're a country of crybabies.

Haters to the left.

What the EFF?!

Yesterday I got an email from a friend - he forwarded along a church bulletin from the church we both attended when we were younger. In this bulletin was a "From the Desk of the Pastor" editorial addressing the upcoming election.

It starts off addressing the importance of voting, and how Catholics make up 30% of the voting public.

"Faith is not a private matter. The Christian Faith cannot be restricted to oneself and one's family. Such an attitude would render it impossible to 'love one's neighbor.'"

But then, things take quite a turn,

"As Catholics we recognize that there are many important issues that must be addressed during an election. We also recognize that some issues are objectively more important than others because they fundamentally address the well being of our society. These issues go beyond party lines They define the kind of society we live in, and the kind of people we are. As we look at the issues, there are five non-negotiable issues when it comes to voting. These five issues concern actions that are intristically evil (evil in themselves) and so therefore must never be promoted by law. These five issues are: Abortion, Euthanasia, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Human Cloning, and Homosexual 'Marriage.' When a candidate supports these issues...they are supporting things that go against the Catholic Faith, the common good, and contrary to the law of God...and so we cannot vote for them."

Ahhhhhh, what?

And then, the same friend that brought this to my attention laid out some bible verses,

"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned, forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." Luke 6:37

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ ... " Galatians 3:28

Dudes. That article made me sick, and I spent the remainder of my day in a rage. It also saddens me to NO end that the church I grew up with took it upon themselves to call gay marriage evil. Really? We're at the point where we're specifically calling it EVIL? But in the same article, mere paragraphs away, the pastor tells us we must love our neighbor?!

What if your neighbor is gay? WHAT TO DO!? Can you love your gay neighbor? Is the allowed, or do you have to condemn them for being "evil"? How do good, bible-following Catholics deal with that?

But then! Today, one of my coworkers posted this article on Facebook, talking about the judges who legalized gay marriage being voted out...by the people. The article is very matter-of-fact , but it's the comments that are disgustingly colorful. Like this one,

"This has nothing to do with law....This is a morality issue. I agree that all human should share equal rights but this is taking it WAY to far. The human body was not designed for them to be together. The laws of physics make it abundantly clear that "Opposites Attract". Both Religious and Scientific activist alike should see this point. Besides...Their parts don't even fit!! I guess next you liberals will be wanting to make it OK for little boys to be with priest as long as the boy wants it. Anyone that sides with the homos on this is a disgusting piece of........."

Simply spectacular.

In reality, I just don't understand. Are people really basing politics on possibly mistranslated bible passages? Why is everyone so angry and up in arms over people WANTING TO MARRY AND BUILD A LIFE TOGETHER? If they want to marry, then they are in love. WHY is that not celebrated? Why do we need more anger and hostility and unnecessary debate.

Are people really concerned about what kind of sex they are having? Shit! Heterosexual people have all kinds of freaky sex. Go on a hetero porn site for like 30 seconds, and you'll see a variety of things that you cannot unsee. But because it's a penis and a vagina in close proximity to each other, it's OK?

It makes me so, so sad that everyone wants to control everyone else. As long as you are NOT HARMING OTHERS, or infringing on their rights - live and let live.

I guess I just don't get it. And you know what, I'm thankful for that.