Hands are tied
Due to my new "career", I have to walk a fine line when it comes to my need for voicing my opinion.
As I drove home yesterday from a business call West of our town, I saw a 3-story-high "marker". It was a model of the 10 Commandments - 2 "tablets" resembling the ones Moses may have brought to his people. One had the Roman numerals 1 - 4 and the other 5 - 10.
I am a big believer in free speech, especially when it comes to voicing faith and beliefs. But, I wondered, why couldn't there be a Star of David, Pentacle, and other religious symbols next to it - of course, the same large size for each.
But, as I finished my drive home, I realized that the only true tolerance is for the Christian faith (although, the Ten Commandments were actually given to the Jews...) to display their symbols and beliefs.
I am determined, however, that for Samhain through Yule and the New Year, I will have a Pentacle of lights glowing in my yard.
Peace
2 comments:
WOW. This post hit me and I'm in a debating mood so it is long (And may be construed as bitchy, it isn't. I am just sharing thoughts and arguments)
I get this (To a point. I can't really know what it is like to walk in your shoes since I"m not Wiccan). Being Mormon is "Interesting". Try being Christian and not having your faith accepted by quite a few of them. Or bitter arguments that you just.Aren't Christian (Despite, you know, Christ's name being in the title of the formal name of your religion)
Talk about being an odd duck out.
Or, to flip this, try being a 'Christian' here in Utah where wearing a cross or having one on your church singles you out as a "Gentile". (Mormons don't do crosses)
There should be more acceptance and tolerance in the world. As for the sign, though? If it was a private business or property, I have no beef about it. I wouldn't care if it was a Buddah, the star of David or any other religious symbol.
Again, I don't know who or what the marker is for, but I do take exception to a PC requirement of posting all religious symbols together. Why? The person who put it there probably doesn't worship all the faiths and unless it is a deliberate show of tolerance for all, there would be no point. I have no problem with people taking pride in their religion. It's their business.
I think things like this happen whereever there is a majority of one religion clumped together. It would happen if you lived in a large community of Wiccans. I certainly know how I felt when I was the only non-Hesidic Jew in a restaurant. EEK!
You have every right to burn that pentacle and not have people protest it, but they may not like it. Which is fine. If you're honest, this sign really irked you. That's fine,too. Except that why would you want to voice your opinion against it, exactly???
When you don't have the same tolerance for them, how can you expect it for your faith? Doesn't tolerance mean tolerance for ALL? Even for the majority that may be repressing you???
WOW 2.
I'm glad you like me - or at least, I hope you still do.
Sometimes I get so wrapped up in myself that I don't explain things well.
It was not on private property - that is part of my beef. As a taxpayer, I "own" part of that property. If I own the property, I should have a say on what goes there.
I have tolerance - and a sense of humour.
I was being ridiculous in my post as well. I, too, don't think that if you have one religious "sign" on public property, you need to have every one of them. We'd lose a lot of green space that way.
What I wasn't being ridiculous about was that if I were to be more blatant about my faith and beliefs, I would not be able to find work, to bank, to grocery shop or much else in this town. As well, my family would suffer.
I recently lost a blooming friendship - of a "good" Christian, no less - because my Pentacle was showing. Ya see, I keep it on a silver chain - with a Protection charm and the Eye of Horus. I will reveal the charm and I in public, but rarely the Pentacle.
She and I never discussed religion, only that her little girl told me what church they go to and asked which one I go to. The lady was fine with me not going to church.
However, the day after my Pentacle shown, I got a message from her stating that she did not think it was a good idea for us to be any more than business acquaintances.
Yes, her loss. But, mine too.
I can only guess what is like to be Mormon (no crosses? what is your symbol, then?). But I know how people hear make jokes about "your kind". I will admit, all I learned about Mormonism was from the Osmonds and what I've read on your blog. Being ostracized or humiliated due to your beliefs - well, except for the cult that believes aliens live among us and are diluting our race with their sperm - is just wrong - wrongity, wrong, wrong *wink*
I'm still putting up the Pentagram, I have one in my car, too.
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