How do we choose our attitudes, political views, and convictions? I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately. It is not unusual these days to encounter people with beliefs that fly in the face of irrefutable facts, and veer sharply away from the magnetic north of any rational moral compass. It stuns me that so many people are devoid of critical thinking skills, or at the very least they do not feel that such skills matter.
Now that I know that I’m on the autism spectrum, I am willing to concede that my thinking tends to be very black and white. I’m working on that. Still, I believe that I have a great deal of integrity, and that I draw my conclusions based on the facts that are present at the time. I don’t tend to be taken in by conspiracy theories or unsubstantiated rumors. Wild speculations make my scalp itch. But I have to admit that I do “get it wrong” sometimes, and once I realize that, I change my opinion accordingly.
A lot of people, it seems, choose to align themselves with those whose opinions feel good to them. They don’t want to be made uncomfortable by the truth, or be inconvenienced by choices that require some sort of sacrifice or consideration on their part. People like that are extremely selfish. Even worse are those people who have a personal agenda, and will do their best to bend reality so that we are all expected to further that agenda whether we like it or not. That, in my opinion, is pure evil.
Given that we are all bombarded with false information on a daily basis, it can be extremely difficult to navigate these increasingly foggy waters. But if we wish to avoid crashing into an iceberg of irrational hate and irresponsibility, we all must learn to plot our life’s course as best we can.
One fundamental guide that I use as much as possible is this: I try to only go where everyone is welcome, and only listen to those who do not promote hate of any kind. Those who hate or promote divisions will rarely lead you to a place where you will enjoy being. And you will never leave that place feeling better about yourself.
Welcoming places support equal rights for all. They try to avoid blaming an entire group for society’s problems. They believe that people are not the same as their governments, because it is impossible to make every individual march in emotional lockstep with others, simply by virtue of their having been born within some artificial human construct that we call a border.
I absolutely, positively do not believe that any one particular religion is the “right” one, and therefore would find it impossible to punish someone for not having the “right” religious beliefs. (And while we’re on the subject, isn’t it fascinating that everyone who believes in one true religion just happens to already be in the religion in question? I mean, what are the odds?)
If someone espouses hate, intolerance, control, superiority, or claims to stand on the highest moral ground, that person is toxic, irresponsible, and does not have your best interests at heart. Why would you follow such a person? Why would you give that person any kind of agency over you or the people you love?
The other day I had a rare Sunday off, so I had the opportunity to attend my church. I don’t want to proselytize, so I won’t mention the name of the place, let alone the denomination. Suffice it to say that it is a place that allows everyone to discover their own path, based on thoughtful study, critical thinking, and a sense of civic, global and environmental responsibility. No one there tells you what to do or how to think.
Everyone is welcome there. There is no criticism of LGBTQIA+ people, or people of other cultures or backgrounds. We encourage diversity, but since we don’t proselytize, we aren’t nearly as diverse as we desperately want to be. We don’t all agree. But we all know, as we sit side by side, that we are all welcome. And that, for me, is everything.
On this particular day, our minister was speaking in our beautiful sanctuary, and behind her were floor to ceiling windows that look out on lush greenery. That always gives me a sense of peace. I enjoy feeling as though I’m part of something larger than myself.
As she spoke to us, suddenly a bat flew down from the ceiling and began zooming back and forth throughout the hall. Our minister took it in stride, though, and had us open our doors wide, so that the little guy could leave or stay as he wished. He wasn’t hurting anybody. He was given choices, and at that moment he chose to stay. Our service continued.
I’m sure the bat was eventually relocated to a more appropriate and healthier habitat that would allow him to thrive, but for now he flew amongst us. I sat there, listening to our minister’s words of inclusion and love, rather than exclusion and hate, and felt better than I have in quite some time.
It was wonderful to be in a place where everyone is welcome, even a bat.
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