Thousands of years later, man has yet to come to a consensus on these answers. Science tells us that man evolved, like all other organisms, from an ancestral gene pool. This is the foundation of evolution on earth, and is probably the hardest concept involved in these discussions for one to fully comprehend. How could a pool of amino acids and nucleotides that formed single cell organisms become everything that we see around us?
There must have been some form of divine intervention, right?
Religion has long fought the tide of scientific discovery, from forcing Galileo to live out his life under house arrest due to his contention of heliocentrism to today's denial of climate change and the battle of Creationism vs. Evolution. The world's most prominent religions have been around for thousands of years, rooted in the times before most of these scientific revelations. The words of scripture of these faiths were written well before this knowledge became more or less universal, and the churches themselves have continued to appeal to these antiquated beliefs.
Our ancestors lived in a time where government and religion fully intertwined, where religious persecution from the ruling majority resulted in mass extinction, genocide. If you didn't comply with the King's beliefs you were tried for heresy and treason, if you didn't fit the Fuhrer's mold, you were imprisoned and tortured. Still today, differences in religion force a great divide in areas of the middle east and Africa as thousands, if not millions, are killed annually, many more forced to leave their homes in search of a land without persecution.
Since no conclusion can be reached unanimously, the question becomes where do we draw the line with regard to implementing beliefs into universal law? We can all universally agree that things like rape and murder are unjust and immoral, but what about where the water gets a little murkier? What about allowing everyone to marry whoever they choose? What about allowing women to dress how they would like? What about allowing women to have a say in their health decisions? What about allowing everyone to vote?
We are all entitled to our beliefs, our opinions. We are not entitled to imposing our belief systems on others. History teaches us that many lives have been lost over arguments that could have been avoided with open minds. Because something is right for one, does not make it right for all. If you think gays shouldn't be able to marry because the "Bible tells you so," remember that the same Bible also states that the earth is flat and the center of the universe. If you think that the first priority of a woman is to be a wife and mother as Sharia law dictates, remember that we live in a free society where religion and law do not intersect. Be grateful for the separation of church and state, keeping in mind the slippery slope that entails.
There will always be many contentious issues in life. The best thing all of us can do is to look at these issues objectively, with an open mind and heart. Consider all sides of the issue, not just how it relates to you and your beliefs. Above all else, be truly considerate of your fellow man and woman.
"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and have their shoes." - Jack Handey
I like this. It's a great reminder. Although I do not always agree with your many many many opinions, you write eloquently and I always enjoy reading your thoughts and seeing things from your point of view. Thanks Michael Gray!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nat. Sometimes I need to remind myself to tone down the forcefulness of my views. Also, it sounds like you might want to borrow some of my myriad opinions, please do but remember I start charging interest after one week.
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