News stories from all over the country find their way to our email accounts or facebook pages and it seems like there is a double standard that is taking over, whereby we have to be mindful of not offending one group of people, while we seemingly offend another group.
It is well documented that this country was colonized by people who among other things, sought the right to practice their religion without the risk of persecution. It is evident just what a stronghold religion has in this country, when you consider just how many places of worship there are in a standard city, let alone here in the ‘South’.
So, it seemed to create quite the buzz when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a baker who refused to create a wedding cake for two men who were to marry. A similar case in a different city last year resulted in the two women who ordered a wedding cake being successful in their bid to sue for discrimination. The baker in that case admitted it was due to his religious beliefs that he did not wish to provide the cake for the commitment ceremony.
While no one should be discriminated against for any reason, and the rights of the LGBT are to be upheld, where does that leave people who live their lives according to their religious beliefs and practices?
Tolerance regarding non-western religions has been a hot topic also, as we should not judge those who practice a specific religion by the actions of a small break-off group or radicalized faction. Fear and hatred breed contempt, as was evident after 9/11 when terrorists splinter cells, claiming to act under the guise of the Muslim faith, carried out atrocities, while those who were born into this faith and call the USA home, could not help but be tarnished. It was an extremely difficult time for thousands of people, and while that particular topic is off the radar for most people, it continues to be an issue for many.
Religious intolerance seems to work against the grain of our basic society, yet we tolerate it, if it suits the majority opinion of the day. Without taking into consideration the feelings and basic human rights of each person as an individual we may find ourselves guilty of discrimination of a higher level. Take God out of the equation, and we may see a change of sorts to the basic structure of our society, or we may not. It all depends on the conviction some have toward their faith, versus those who have little to none.
What today’s generation needs to remember is that the world is made up of people from all different races, creeds, religious practices, etc. and has been since the dawn of mankind. Just because it is popular to support one group over another, does not make you an activist. It just makes you a human, with free will.
Barbara Dale is the receptionist for the Crestview News Bulletin. Email her at bdale@crestviewbulletin.com.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Protecting one group’s rights while treading on another’s