Watching

Well, I am closely watching the news. I also read a large number of blogs (no surprise there!). It's a good thing that I have a family to care for or I'd spend hours each day reading.

Here are some links to some interesting reading:
http://muscatconfidential.blogspot.com/2011/03/middle-east-populist-contagion-reaches.html

http://www.muscatmutterings.com/2011/03/hm-issues-more-royal-decrees-as-result.html#comments

I've been reading news coming out of the States. I am horrified to see the level of hate language being used against people of a specific minority religion in that country. It is one thing to say, "I don't agree with that person's politics," or to say, "I don't agree with those beliefs." Those are things that are very much protected by the First Amendment. And, people in the States are free to practice their religion. BUT, it is not helpful to scream at someone using hate filled words to 'go home', and to yell nasty personal accusations at someone. Hate filled words are not helpful. Hate leads to more hate.

Pretend for a moment that you are a small child. You are walking along the street with your family. Some person, of a different religion, comes and yells at you to go home and begins to insult your father. How will 'you' ie the small child feel as an adult about the people of the other religion? Hate leads to more hate.

It is very difficult to have constructive conversations about religion when those involved have different view points. But, constructive conversation is the mature thing to do. Hate filled words are ignorant and childish. I have seen children on school play yards behave with more intelligence and maturity. People in the States need to be loving and supportive of their fellow Americans. Productive conversations happen with open minds and open hearts, not with closed raised fists.

Peace.