"The Thought Spigot" http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/Home_Page.html
Before there were countries, there were people, and all people are the same. They may be changed through the choices they make, in life, but all people are born the same, as pure souls and babies. However, the United States of America was founded on freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The experiment called the United States, over the years, choices, different leaders, and people, has produced a nation of dichotomy. A duality, throughout the whole country, in all choices, traditions, and opinions. Mistakes have been made, through the years, but there have been remarkable and unconditional successes, as well. Slavery, the killing and processing of the Indian population and lands (for government and personal gain), and the internment camps of Japanese during World War II are all huge examples, of blatant abuse of power and heinous judgment. Obviously, there is are excuses for the scars on American people and psyches. Poor decision making, corrupt people and leaders, and the scars left behind are hard to forget, world wide. However, for every wrong choice and atrocity, by leaders and other people, there is another side to the experiment of America. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and countless other rights and amazing things, Americans take for granted everyday, have all been attained by the experiment. When looking at the "experiment called America," the good far outweighs the bad, in just about all cases. However, there is still multitudes of things, both common and irregular, to be remedied in the US (and world wide). Change only comes through every person, what lens they choose to look at the world with, and an attitude of not hating people, but the actions of people.
It does not take very knowledgeable person, to look into the past and cast dispersions on people and choices. There is no person, beyond judgment, as there is not anyone who is perfect. If a person has no religious faith, or belief system, this is still a fact. There seems to also be a huge double standard, on who is to be persecuted and by whom. When Bill Maher says, "Catholicism is a child abusing, religious cult. It's leader also has a compound, and this guy not only operates outside the bounds of the law, but he used to be a Nazi and wears funny hats. We're here, we're queer, get used to it. (He went on, comparing the FLDS Cult bust in Texas, to the Catholic Church) But, really, what tripped up the “little cult on the prairie” was that they only abused hundreds of kids, not thousands all over the world. Cults get raided. Religions get parades. How does the Catholic Church get away with all of their buggery?" It is amazing how a person can look for laughs, at something like this. Regardless, there is a startling problem with this kind of pervasive thinking, in America. Obviously, the FLDS situation, in Texas, is a compounding of "religious perversion" (no matter how you look at it, based on twelve to sixteen year old girls being impregnated, women married off at the same ages, and men, boys, girls, women without any rights. This due to a small group of men, regulating, perverting and mandating rights). The Catholic Church has had a large problem, in the form of abuse, the sex scandal and overall priest misconduct. Not to minimize any of the things which happened in the Catholic Church, in any way, but the Catholic faith has many positive and devout people, throughout the world, with all kinds of positives. Comparing the Catholic faith, with the FLDS cults (in the US), is a ridiculous and biased point of view. There will never be any change with this kind of thinking.
American history is a very undisciplined topic. The history and choices, viewed from the lens of one person may form opinions, traditions, and set in motion lifestyles for years to come, for countless people. Yet, the same past and choices, viewed from another's position, may set in motion a completely different outcome. America's history is tangled and intertwined, with the best and worst of people and choices. Until, people start looking at others (as equals), taking a step outside themselves (gaining perspective of other's point of view), and invest time into the choices (a "walking a mile in their shoes" approach), that actual change for the multitude will be possible. All people should be accountable for their actions, the words they say, and most of all to understand all people are the same and equal. The main offenders, hide behind freedom of speech, and are the people who have the most money, influence, and power. The media continues to give free passes, as they sometimes participate and generally share the same views, with these people. There are virtually no whistle blowers and people who want to make a positive change, thru a sense of empathy.
The Bottom Line: Most people do not believe in change for the overall betterment of society, or else they are feeding and becoming more powerful, with the way they abuse and manipulate society. I do not feel believing in a world where empathy (viewing the world thru where another person stands, feels, believes), making choices for the common good, and a general understanding that all people are equal and are the same. Actions and choices make people different, over time. Yet, everyone is born the same. There may be disadvantage, a different environment, in a person's life, but ultimately every person is the same. People who have had abusive parents, constant hurdles and other's lived in poverty, but they went on to become great leaders, changing the world in enormous ways. However, change is something, only achieved, when made thru conscious choice. Whether a person is religious, atheist, or agnostic, there is a simple saying, in order to create change for a common good: "Hate the sin, not the sinner." An all inclusive statement/quote, but if followed and coupled with a general yearning, in the hearts and minds of all people, with conscious decision of change, then all things are possible.
"The Thought Spigot" http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/Home_Page.html
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