I think it's time to talk about the fanaticism and lack of generosity that is preventing us from having the gentle interactions that lead to the very relationships we so desperately need to survive.
Due to what I consider extreme mental and emotional abuse I experienced as a Catholic child who attended a private Baptist school as an elementary student, I was well into my 40's before I was able to resist the automatic, knee-jerk reaction to any exposure to religious ideas. It was like touching a stove - I had been burned severely, and my reflex was to cringe and shut myself off from even hearing anything religious until recently (I'm 54 now). I viewed people who adhered to religion as hypocrites and cultists incapable of independent thinking. I'm not sure what softened my view. Maybe it's just getting older and getting further away from the trauma of that time. Maybe it's the emergence of the "never Trumper" types during our recent unpleasantness, who I've seen can be conservative and religious, while at the same time calling out extremism. Whatever the case, I hear you, but I also find it hard to blame others for immediately closing up when someone mentions religion just based on what I know I've been through. Tolerance is a practice, and personally, I'm more successful some days than others. Have a great holiday, Frank, and thank you for this.
Due to what I consider extreme mental and emotional abuse I experienced as a Catholic child who attended a private Baptist school as an elementary student, I was well into my 40's before I was able to resist the automatic, knee-jerk reaction to any exposure to religious ideas. It was like touching a stove - I had been burned severely, and my reflex was to cringe and shut myself off from even hearing anything religious until recently (I'm 54 now). I viewed people who adhered to religion as hypocrites and cultists incapable of independent thinking. I'm not sure what softened my view. Maybe it's just getting older and getting further away from the trauma of that time. Maybe it's the emergence of the "never Trumper" types during our recent unpleasantness, who I've seen can be conservative and religious, while at the same time calling out extremism. Whatever the case, I hear you, but I also find it hard to blame others for immediately closing up when someone mentions religion just based on what I know I've been through. Tolerance is a practice, and personally, I'm more successful some days than others. Have a great holiday, Frank, and thank you for this.