I know you heard about the big decision. I've been debating this with Facebook friends for days. First day was about law and politics. The second day people started to pull out the bible scripture and talk about the immorality of people outside of Christianity. I'm exhausted honestly and I know I had the choice not to participate, especially at the risk of losing friends, but honestly I just couldn't NOT say something.
My position? We just opened up a real, nasty can of worms with this case. We allowed for one entity to gain religious freedom while taking away another's. That's it. Bottom line here. We (the people not defending Hobby Lobby) understand the Christian position of this company. We do. We understand they don't believe in abortion and feel certain birth control pills should not be allowed because it acts after conception. Ok? We feel you. We do. Still the issue at hand is freedom of religion for ALL PEOPLE and especially for those not following any religion. I have said that religion is used many times to hurt people and serves those who follow it until it doesn't. You know? Such as religious beliefs that are followed until one is faced something challenging that overrides it. Hobby Lobby paid for ALL of that birth control until the government said they had to. Did you know that? So their religious stance was a bit misleading. Still, it's something we may be all paying for , for a very long time. I fear for all groups that may be discriminated against as a result of this case. One example I made was LBGT community discriminated at ChickfilA. Maybe the owner will take a stand stating that group does not uphold the values of ChickfilA and can not be employed there. Who knows! It's scary to think about it.
Today I was delivered the bible verses and lecture on Jesus, who he was and why anyone outside of Christianity has NO moral compass what so ever. Along with the entire World is going into the toilet. I was also told God only provides the positive aspects of life and that is it. Anything else is the Devil. Here was my response:
"You make a lot of assumptions here and the first one is if people aren't Christian they have no morals and apparently have no issue persecuting believers? I'm sorry I've worked with people in my field from Christian to pagans and especially pagans, I've not heard such things. However, I've heard plenty of Christians persecute others. Religion has a way of asking people hateful in general. No one needs religion. They need to function from their heart space which many do not, even Christians. It's all ego. The point in this is the right for employees to make choices for themselves. Period. That's it. If the government was shoving birth control down hobby lobby's owners is be worried. They are not and it doesn't cost them any more to provide it. It also doesn't mean the availability of it will result in anyone using it. You assume all Christians have morals!? Good morals? That's subjective any way but look at Westboro. Yeah real winners. You have to address this on the individual level. And on a side more, every religion acknowledges Jesus Christ. They don't all perceive him the same but they don't discount his positive contributions either. Were you there when he was alive!? No. It's your faith that holds a place for him. You have no proof. I'm personally speaking for those who don't believe. You can't make people believe in your faith or opinion like I can't convince you of mine. The judgment was based on religion which is an opinion. Not fact. Fact is Scientific right that's how we deduce fact. What we do know is the fact is no one agrees on religion or deity. No one has proof either. Therefore no one should be forced. It's a choice...except now....that choice has been taken away. You are responsible for only YOU. Most humans problem is that they are so caught up in what everyone else is doing "wrong" they can't see their own contribution to humanity's undoing. No one in their right mind would change any belief through force or resistance. The way is through the true way Jesus dealt with others. He loved them at their worst. He let them make their bad decisions to learn even when it may result in his own demise. Then he always left the door open when they were ready to listen all the while loving them unconditionally. THAT is THE way. The Christ-like way.
Look at the woman in Sudan who was in jail for being Christian! Even pagans in the United States were outraged they did this to her. I know this I saw my friends responses as I have people on my FB from all religions. They were upset. They want to protect her faith and let her live. She was not going to change her religion or faith by force. She would rather die. Beautiful. She was supported by many of ALL faiths around the world. It's not about your ...YOUR DEITY. No one cares. They only care you want to force HIM on others who are equally beautiful and moral. You can't fix the stupid in every culture and religion. It's always going to be there. Be who you are preaching about. It's the only way to stop the real persecution going on here."
The gentleman went on about bible scripture from there. I started to write and decided I put enough energy in it. I was done. I made my points. There is no sense in becoming one of them. No sense in shoving my opinions down anyone's throat despite trying to defend any group. The only way is to live what I preach right? So that's what I will try to do in hopes I put a bug in someone's ear. The gentleman and I parted ways on good terms. I thanked him for the conversation and he thanked me for my civility. What more can I ask for? I am asking for love and respect for all differences. I think we did that. Now let's do that for every other person with their own values and opinions!
Love & Light to All
My position? We just opened up a real, nasty can of worms with this case. We allowed for one entity to gain religious freedom while taking away another's. That's it. Bottom line here. We (the people not defending Hobby Lobby) understand the Christian position of this company. We do. We understand they don't believe in abortion and feel certain birth control pills should not be allowed because it acts after conception. Ok? We feel you. We do. Still the issue at hand is freedom of religion for ALL PEOPLE and especially for those not following any religion. I have said that religion is used many times to hurt people and serves those who follow it until it doesn't. You know? Such as religious beliefs that are followed until one is faced something challenging that overrides it. Hobby Lobby paid for ALL of that birth control until the government said they had to. Did you know that? So their religious stance was a bit misleading. Still, it's something we may be all paying for , for a very long time. I fear for all groups that may be discriminated against as a result of this case. One example I made was LBGT community discriminated at ChickfilA. Maybe the owner will take a stand stating that group does not uphold the values of ChickfilA and can not be employed there. Who knows! It's scary to think about it.
Today I was delivered the bible verses and lecture on Jesus, who he was and why anyone outside of Christianity has NO moral compass what so ever. Along with the entire World is going into the toilet. I was also told God only provides the positive aspects of life and that is it. Anything else is the Devil. Here was my response:
"You make a lot of assumptions here and the first one is if people aren't Christian they have no morals and apparently have no issue persecuting believers? I'm sorry I've worked with people in my field from Christian to pagans and especially pagans, I've not heard such things. However, I've heard plenty of Christians persecute others. Religion has a way of asking people hateful in general. No one needs religion. They need to function from their heart space which many do not, even Christians. It's all ego. The point in this is the right for employees to make choices for themselves. Period. That's it. If the government was shoving birth control down hobby lobby's owners is be worried. They are not and it doesn't cost them any more to provide it. It also doesn't mean the availability of it will result in anyone using it. You assume all Christians have morals!? Good morals? That's subjective any way but look at Westboro. Yeah real winners. You have to address this on the individual level. And on a side more, every religion acknowledges Jesus Christ. They don't all perceive him the same but they don't discount his positive contributions either. Were you there when he was alive!? No. It's your faith that holds a place for him. You have no proof. I'm personally speaking for those who don't believe. You can't make people believe in your faith or opinion like I can't convince you of mine. The judgment was based on religion which is an opinion. Not fact. Fact is Scientific right that's how we deduce fact. What we do know is the fact is no one agrees on religion or deity. No one has proof either. Therefore no one should be forced. It's a choice...except now....that choice has been taken away. You are responsible for only YOU. Most humans problem is that they are so caught up in what everyone else is doing "wrong" they can't see their own contribution to humanity's undoing. No one in their right mind would change any belief through force or resistance. The way is through the true way Jesus dealt with others. He loved them at their worst. He let them make their bad decisions to learn even when it may result in his own demise. Then he always left the door open when they were ready to listen all the while loving them unconditionally. THAT is THE way. The Christ-like way.
Look at the woman in Sudan who was in jail for being Christian! Even pagans in the United States were outraged they did this to her. I know this I saw my friends responses as I have people on my FB from all religions. They were upset. They want to protect her faith and let her live. She was not going to change her religion or faith by force. She would rather die. Beautiful. She was supported by many of ALL faiths around the world. It's not about your ...YOUR DEITY. No one cares. They only care you want to force HIM on others who are equally beautiful and moral. You can't fix the stupid in every culture and religion. It's always going to be there. Be who you are preaching about. It's the only way to stop the real persecution going on here."
The gentleman went on about bible scripture from there. I started to write and decided I put enough energy in it. I was done. I made my points. There is no sense in becoming one of them. No sense in shoving my opinions down anyone's throat despite trying to defend any group. The only way is to live what I preach right? So that's what I will try to do in hopes I put a bug in someone's ear. The gentleman and I parted ways on good terms. I thanked him for the conversation and he thanked me for my civility. What more can I ask for? I am asking for love and respect for all differences. I think we did that. Now let's do that for every other person with their own values and opinions!
Love & Light to All
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