Idioms & Ignorance

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This morning I found myself reading through article after article about the growing number of people in both Britain and the United States that are turning against their countrymen based solely on religion. No offense but the Brits have a kind of reputation for that, but the American's don't you think that is a bit hypocritical?

The problem is, in my humble opinion, that history is not being taught as well or as widely as it ought to be, if it were then the sarcasm would not be as humorous. You can't see the distinct parallel between the Spanish Inquisition and the mass spewing of hatred towards the otherwise tranquil religion of Islam. Most people do not have a well-rounded education in religions other than their own. You are born, brought up to believe certain things, you spend your lives seeking God/Allah/Inner Peace/Nothing, and you die with the last ambition to see your faith fulfilled in some way. People refuse to realize or even conceive that there are others out there with a different belief system.

Sorry to inform you, there are other religions just as powerful to it's believers as you are to your own, and very likely even more so.

Get over yourself and realize that people are different and that the best way to share your religion is not by banning everything that threatens you, looks different, and yes sometimes smells a bit off and get on with your life by living by example. Share if it makes you happy, but do so in a manner that would be beneficial, not domineering or heated, not judging but philosophical.

FYI: You will attract more bees with honey than with a stick.

Furthermore, I understand that it is easy to rally behind a flag, but when you do not know what it represents or understand who they are against that is a problem. Clearly they know nothing about the religion of Islam or the Muslim community. Anyone who equates Islam with terror is missing the point, ISIS is an extremely radical group that contorts the virtues and beauty of Islamic traditions. Do us all a favor and read up on Islam before you try to ban it. Realize that just as many right-wing Christians have rallied through the same type of contortion of their religion provoked by various stimuli. Islam is not something to fear, but ISIS is; just as Christianity is not something to fear, but KKK organizations are.

Please, let us not be the generation where ignorance is our voice.

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