When people set aside the differences of color, religion, gender, political affiliation, and sexual preference and really look at one another they will see that we are all the same. We all want to live by our own beliefs without persecution. We all have the fundamental right as human beings to live as we choose. The only way to really achieve that is to stop passing our prejudices down to our children. A baby is born with a basic instinct to love and trust. That instinct is practically beaten out of us by the stereotypes and lies created about those who are �different.� If we show children that the way to live is through compassion then we may actually stop the genocide and hate crimes that society has thrived on throughout history.
I know what it�s like to get a look of hate and fear just because of the pentagram necklace and Buddhist mantra bracelet that I wear. I know what it is like to have someone I thought I could trust tell me I worship the devil and am going to hell. I don�t even believe in hell. It is a difficult task to separate the ones who hate from everyone else. That makes it easy to jump to conclusions. More than once I have seen some one with a cross necklace or W.W.J.D. bracelet on and tucked my own necklace inside my shirt to avoid 'that look.' Every so often, I will see the same sight and take my necklace out on purpose, just to see what happens. I find myself carrying my own prejudices and it makes me sick. The fact that I have built up a bitter attitude toward the historical institution of Christianity is sad. I have read volumes about the horrible things that people have done in the name of God. I have seen everything from ancient woodcuts to 21st century movies depicting the horrible blasphemer being burned at the stake. I have watched my friends have to actually �deal with� the thought of another friend being gay. It conflicted with their religion, and therefore was wrong. It was as if the years of Scottie�s friendship didn�t matter anymore because he �was going to hell.� On some level, I have taken all these horrible things that individual Christians or Christian groups have done and placed the guilt on the shoulders of everyone who lives by the cross. I know it is not right, I know I have a few very open-minded Christian friends who have no ill will toward my spiritual quest. It is still hard not to be scared and angry. When I have to walk over the IVCF (InterVarsity Christian Fellowship) chalk messages around the fountain at York College, every single day, I usually make a crack to the tune of �I want to put a giant pentagram on the sidewalk and see what they do,� or �If I put an advertisement for a pagan club out in public like that I�d be run off campus with pitch forks and torches.� The lack of compassion has tainted everyone, the oppressors and the oppressed. I fear that there will always be those people that judge. I also fear that I might always carry this bitterness. All I know is I try everyday to let it go, and to educate someone who doesn�t understand me. Maybe there will always be this struggle for acceptance, but humanity is making progress.