Which Side of the Fence are You on, and Whose Fence is it Anyway?

I have children. If one pushes the other, I help the one who’s hurt. As a parent, I’ll reprimand the child who pushed, but I shouldn’t push back as if to prove a point. My primary concern is to help the child who got hurt to get back up.

Simple concept? Here’s another…

I like chocolate. I may or may not like vanilla. Maybe I have an allergy to vanilla, or maybe I’m opposed, but all I stated was that I like or I prefer chocolate. Vanilla fans everywhere plan to sue me.

Does any of this paint an allusion you’re familiar with?

I may be opposed to a lifestyle which is immoral to my faith. I may choose to live in solidarity with those oppressed by others. I may prefer a certain viewpoint without or without biased. Here in America, we have freedoms. Those freedoms have gone far beyond what the founding fathers may have imagined, but, well, give to Caesar and all that…

My point is this: if I wear a cross, I don’t hate you. If I vote for traditional marriage, I don’t condemn you. I might choose to promote things or serve in a way in line with my values and that of the Church, but I won’t spit on you, sentence you, or declare war against you if you oppose my beliefs.

There is One God I stand for and these principles: that All life is precious and deserving of a chance; that each human is capable of sin (myself well included!) and just as capable of forgiveness; and that all humans seek and deserve love, a Love that is everlasting and God-given. (That last statement could certainly produce a firestorm, but I don’t have time for it today.)

I don’t have the answers, just plenty of questions like anyone else. I also don’t have a desire to berate or hurt others into submission. There’s plenty of that in the world already. I simply think we need to be able to speak freely, be allowed our thoughts and beliefs, and let others make their own choices. Don’t think this means I won’t continue to proclaim the gospel where I can. I will. But when I’m not heard, or told I’m not welcome, I will move on peacefully, without trying to sue anyone.