I have never been involved in the pie fights that occur here occasionally. Most of the time, I have no idea what they are about- only gleaning some information from the titles of diaries that perpetuate the conflict.
I don't read the diaries. (Well, most of the time.)
The few I have taken a glance at leave me bemused and chuckling, shaking my head at the screen and wondering why all this silliness is so important to so many of you.
So important that diary after diary is written on the subject.
Well, this time, here is why it is important to me.
Don't tell me what you believe, show me what you do and I will tell you what you believe.
Meteor Blades' sig line.
Years ago, I moved to a new community, away from a church that I had attended for 20 years. Finding a new church locally took over month, as I spent each Sunday checking out the congregations of the churches in my area.
You see, I could walk into any church on any Sunday and 'do my duty' to the God I love. But to me, a church is the people who come together for one purpose.
To practice what they believe.
One church I visited was quite evangelical. The main purpose was for the members to hit the streets and convince others to join- turn their lives around- walk away from sin and come see the light-etc. etc. etc.
I couldn't do that. Maybe I"m not as true a Christian as I'm suppose to be, but like I told the pastor, "I'm an American, and I believe that everyone has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And nobody has the right to determine what that happiness is. Nobody." I know what I believe, and if you ask me, I will share that with you, but I'm not going to tell you that you have to believe as I do, or else.
I'm not a republican.
And that's why I feel I have to add my two cents now.
I joined this site because I am surrounded by right wing radicals who think I'm 'un-American. My daughter is a Christionist who thinks I'm going to hell. Very few people in my private life share my views on what the problems are in this country, and how we can solve them.
So I came here. And I found a community of like minds and diaries that kept me connected to my core beliefs.
I belong to my local Democratic Club. I work on the campaigns of local officials. Sometimes we win, sometimes we don't. And that's OK- because this is a democracy and the people voted. Disappointing- yes, but catastrophic? No.
Just makes me work harder the next time around.
Can you picture me, at a phone bank, calling up voters. "Hey dipshit- what do you mean you don't like my candidate? What kind of asshole are you?"
Yeah- that'll win votes.
So back to the quote and my two cents.
I firmly believe that I have no business telling anyone how they should live their lives. That's what republicans do. If you believe as I do, then act like it. Show me that you believe that everyone has a voice and a right to be heard.
Remember, America is not easy. Free speech means listening to those whose beliefs are the opposite of what you hold dear.
It does not mean you have to agree.
I received a negative comment once in a diary I wrote. And do you know what I did? I let it go. I did not respond, because what would be the point? That person did not like or agree with what I wrote. Would resorting to name-calling and shaming change his/her point of view? Of course not. Would it have made me feel better if I called him/her out on it? I wasn't upset by the comment. Why would one person's opinion wreck my world?
Again, I'm not a republican.
So have your little pie fights. Spend your time seeking out those who do not share your passion on any issue and degrade them to the point where the issue is lost in the maze of cursing and swearing and name-calling and bashing and hating.
And then call yourself a Democrat. Or Liberal. Or Progressive.
Show me what you do and I'll tell you what you believe.