John;
I am a Roman Catholic and as such have met bigotry in many areas of the United States especially in the South and Mid West. My thoughts about religion are my own but I will say that I respect the religious beliefs of others. I do not appreciate those who condemn the religions of others.
Billy Graham has openly stated he hates Catholics, and this has been a message of his for decades. I have heard him say it and I believe he is telling the truth. There is an unfortunate reality at work I believe when we discuss religion. The media picks up and broadcasts negative events.
A person at some level – any level – that belongs to a Church makes a negative statement and that becomes the battle cry (you are lead to believe) of all members of that Church. When the leader of a Church makes a negative statement I like to brush it off, while retaining it for future reference.
I have had many negative experiences with specific religious groups. Here is but one link.
http://www.secularism.org.uk/newspress/news16june2t.htm#fourDo I condemn you for being a Southern Baptist? Heavens no! Do I think you represent the rabid leaders of the Southern Baptist Church who hate others? No way!
Personally, I do not let words bother me. I am speaking in the third person. You can hate me for whatever reason but I am secure in the knowledge of who I am and you will not change that. I forgive those that trespass against me and get on with my life. Learning to forgive is one of the things a Roman Catholic is taught. Psychologically, forgiving is a positive force.
Pope John Paul II visited South Carolina in 1987. I recall seeing a news report on television from a large stadium filled to capacity. It was a Southern Baptist event and the person talking was said to be “the leader of the Southern Baptist Church”. I have no idea if there is such a position or who that person was. At any rate what this “leader” stated was, “The Pope is the disciple of Satan”! In attempting to find an Internet source I have only found that the Southern Baptist in general welcomed the Pope.
We have to separate dogma and hatred expressed by a few that hurts others. God has no place for hatred. How can one profess to be a Christian and yet hate others?
At age 62 I have had more than a few experiences and could write many books about what I have lived and seen. In my travels throughout the United States since 1960 I have asked myself about our country, “The United States of what”? There seem to be so many things that separate us. There are also many things that bind us together. It is unfortunate when a few voices scream negative comments. It is even worse when those voices infect others and soon the numbers become significant.
Hopefully, reason will prevail and we can strengthen our nation while helping to bring peace to the world. To do that will require first tolerance of ourselves and others. Meddling in the affairs of other countries is not appreciated by the citizens of other lands. We should learn how to take care of our own before we attempt to convert the world.
Tom
