Relevant

I know that if we lose our voice, or if we let those who speak on our behalf, compromise our voice, well then this country, this country is in for a really bad haircut.

So speak up America! Speak up! Speak up for the Home of the Brave! Speak up for the Land of the Free gift with purchase. Speak up America! Speak up!

And remember, you are beautiful. Thank you.

- Elle Woods (Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde)

<3

Okay.

How do I put this delicately so that you will be open to listening and comprehending the rationality of what I am about to say? So that you won’t immediately starting thinking of what you are about to say to defend yourself?

Listen. You are wrong.

I was raised in a Christian home since I was born, my Grandfather is an Assemblies of God pastor. Sure, there may have been silly restrictions placed on me such as what I was allowed to watch, read, listen to, etc. I definitely was sheltered from a great deal but I have no ill feelings towards the way I was raised. My parents and my family raised me in such a way they thought best and in return I have been given a set of values and lessons that I hold very dear to me. I’m sure every child on this planet could say something very similar about the way they were raised. My qualms aren’t with my upbringing or my family. It is you beloved church I take issue with.

You preach love and forgiveness and hold it up as if it gives you some right to cast judgement on those around you. As if because you go to Family Night every Wednesday, attend choir practice every Thursday, volunteer at the Saturday rummage sales, and sit in your pew every Sunday that you are some how better than the person that you see walking passed you. The girl with her mini skirt, the kid with his body piercings and tattoos, the same-sex couple walking hand-in-hand towards you. All it means is you are good at managing your time. Your thoughts, your actions, your words show the real condition of your heart. It doesn’t bleed with the blood of Christ it runs red with the blood of those you have wounded with every glare and condemning word.

Do you not see how your fight for your children to be able to have the freedom to pray in school directly conflicts with your fight to keep other people from living their lives the way they want to? (Aside from harming others of course.) You can not fight for one freedom while trying to squash another. You either promote freedom or you do not. This is why religion and politics don’t mix. Do you not see how this translates to people as trying to force religion down their throats?

You have no right to tell someone how they are to live their life or that what they have decided is wrong. You have no right to send someone to Hell just because you don’t agree with the way they think or live their life. You are not responsible for them, you are only responsible for you. Do you not see how this translates to those around you? Or do have blinders on because you are so busy doing all your good deeds that you have yet to take time to stop and assess the situation around you. You have left the world damaged and broken and in need of repair. Though I’m afraid they won’t be so willing to accept your acts of kindness and love. You’ve proven yourself to be less than loving.

I do believe your intentions are good, but we are living in a time when intentions aren’t good enough. You have to think about the repercussions your actions and words have. It’s time to start truly living a life motivated by love and understanding and all that other “hippie bullshit” that Jesus talked about. It’s time for you to not be so concerned with the way other people live their lives that you neglect to look at your own and see the way your life is effecting others.

It’s time for change. Unfortunately this won’t help you build big buildings.

(Photo via:littlegrayblog)

Daily Show: 24 Hour Nazi Party People

Jon challenges his staff to find someone on Megyn Kelly’s show making a Nazi comparison before he finishes a home perm kit.