Hate and Hellfire

I applaud anyone who has an opinion.  I applaud you even more if you can have that opinion and not curse the holder of another opinion to hellfire damnation.  I wish more people understood how to argue and how to listen.  How to persuade and how to ponder.

Because - NEWSFLASH - you might be wrong.

Let's say you decide that all those who enjoy camping in the woods are degenerate hippies of prickly pointyness.  The strength with which you feel this emotion burns deep within you.  Conveniently, the news programs you watch and the friends you have all share this opinion.  One of them posts a picture of a man standing in front of a tent with the words - THEY'RE SMELLY, SO WE LIKE IT WHEN THEY STICK TO THE WOODS...freakin' hippies.  HAHAHAHA, you laugh.  Then you re-post it.  One of your friends likes it and adds a comment about how if one of those freakin' hippies ever was put into power they would add wheels to their house and motor down to Mexico.

Yeah, that's right.  You're gonna leave this free country where anyone can have an opinion without fear of dismemberment and go to a country where...oh...well, did I say Mexico?  I meant Canada.  Let's not get lost in the details of fury.

Righteous fury is more powerful when it's vague.

Now, imagine you meet a nice man or woman who over time wins you over with their humor and intelligence.  They tell you that all campers are not hippie degenerates.  You ponder this.  One day they invite you to camp, adding that there is loads of fun to be had.  You are tempted...but GUESS WHAT?  You can't do it, because that would mean becoming one of THEM.  So, your hate and fury has deprived you of seeing things differently, having an experience greater than what you started out with, and growing in general.  You remain small...but righteous.

I would like to encourage everyone to consider what they say or post or write before they say, post, or write it.  If it isn't something you would want others to say about you, DON'T DO IT.  Save everyone the viral venom.  (Say it to yourself in the shower.  When you can be right without fear of being proven wrong.  Because who will challenge you while you're naked and soapy.)

As a people, we can't move forward if we keep stopping to throw rocks.

*and now I will step down off my soapbox...of fury.