I was on Facebook today reading about what is going on in my friends' lives when I came across a post that piqued my interest. It was a news article about a teacher in California who was told by the school board that he had to take the posters in his classroom down. The reason? They all contained radical ideology like "one nation under God," "united we stand," and "I pledge allegiance." If you know me well, you know that I am passionate about our country and the rights and freedoms that it was built on and stands upon now, and the article bothered me--a lot. My friend agreed, too, that it isn't right, the kind of reverse discrimination that is rampant in our country, but one of the responders to her blog vehemently supported the school board's decision.
So I immediately started replying to the thread, all passionate about freedom of speech, reverse discrimination, etc. when it hit me--I was not reacting in a Christ-like manner and needed to stop. It's one thing to have a discussion about something when both parties are open and the discussion will be productive, but it's another thing entirely to step right into the middle of a fight with your gloves raised.
It's given me quite a lot of food for thought, and it's made me realize several things about myself and my personal beliefs. I haven't changes much since doing my internship in the Colorado state senate. The only difference is that I no longer want to be president...
1. I believe that our country as a whole has lost sight of the values that make it so inherently good.
2. I believe that the voices of the few are often louder than the voices of the many, even when the many are right. I also believe that just because you yell louder, it doesn't make what you're yelling correct.
3. I believe that the voices of the many should be able to be expressed without the few calling it discrimination.
4. I believe that sometimes we have to call wrong wrong even if it isn't the popular opinion.
5. I believe that the constitution does indeed "hang by a thread" in many ways.
6. I believe that we have a personal, moral, and societal obligation to do all we can to uphold goodness and right.
7. I believe that there is still much good in our country and that there is joy to be found in every moment of every day if we only follow the Savior.
8. I believe that it is worth it.
9. AND, I believe that my children deserve better.
It makes me sad.
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