Religious Acceptance

You see it everywhere recently, normal everyday people deciding to hate one another because of their own religions. It has lead to abuse in some ways, and has proven that those who hate are disregarding all of the rules of their own religion. There is nothing wrong with having a different faith, it makes us unique, and proves that no matter what you can be anything you desire.

I have seen people decide that just because someone did not share their beliefs that they were no longer going to be friends. I myself have felt ashamed when told that I was not welcome because my faith is different. In recent years, I have developed my own rejoinder, and others have learned to accept it.

Most of the time the religions you see being discriminated against are not based on Christianity or Judaism. Wiccan witches, Muslims, Buddhists, and other minority faiths are accused of many things that they are not. Even those of the Jewish faith feel their share of hatred from others. Where does it state in any of the sacred texts that you shall hate when another does not share your own faith?

If I, a humble person, remember correctly the Christian faith has a 'Golden Rule', which boils down to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". The witches of the Wiccan faith have the 'Threefold Law' others have a 'Karmic Law'. Everything though boils down to the same ideal as the Hippocratic Oath that Doctors take, 'Harm None'.

I could cite all of the laws known in an attempt to make everyone understand, but for my own reasons, I will not. This article is after all about whether or not people believe in Religious Acceptance. It is taught to us in many places but the message is often misunderstood.

For example, I am a self-proclaimed Wiccan Witch of the Solitaire variety. All that means is that I practice alone, and have no others to tell me how to believe. I still hold the Christian Bible close to my heart, and remember all that I was taught at Sunday school. I converted on my own, of my own free will. I choose to devote my beliefs to the Lord God and to Brigid, a Celtic goddess. I know that many people deem to call me a heathen because of this, but how many Christian staples are based on old Pagan rites? How is it fair to call another who still believes in what she was originally taught a heathen?

If we are not able to accept the existence of other religions, how are we to tolerate them? We do not; a great number of the common people cannot fathom tolerating one of another race, let alone tolerate one of another religion. I find that this in America is more of an insult than anything else, for America was founded as a land for the free. A land where you could practice whatever religion you desired.

In my opinion, the ideal of Religious Acceptance is a myth, a fiction, only because of those who cannot see it with their own eyes. I accept all religions, I have many friends who believe differently than I do, and I still love them all for it in their own ways. If everyone was able to do this, many things could be avoided. Imagine all the wars fought over religion, the loss of life, the destruction of our world, that could have been avoided.

I know others have said it, but if we gave peace a chance, and took time to learn about other people, other places, and other religions, maybe we would not be afraid of them. Fear is the enemy of all, and the only way to overcome it is to learn.

Do not forget that in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, Jesus himself is said to have voiced the following line. "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd".¹ Are we so far removed from our own teachings that we forget what we have been told?

And now it is your turn, is there anyway to change the way you may believe on many levels? Could you step up to the plate and learn to accept others? Is that not what we deserve? I believe that you can. It may be a hard road, but it is easier to travel with others, others that you will meet, who will need a friend along the way.

1. John 10:16 (King James Version)