November 5, 2008
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I did my part
…and I voted! For the first time in my life. And it just feels incredible to be part of history, you know? I was never really interested in the politics until now, but once your future is at stake, it’s hard to ignore what’s looming right in front of you.
…of course, I could have done without the constant haggling of my mom, telling me that voting “no” to prop 8 will shake the foundations of our country’s principles and yada-yada. PUH-LEEZE. And I saw people marching around with signs for “Yes to 8!” around my neighborhood, and it was literally thiiiiiiis close to running them over with my car. Um, in case you haven’t noticed, this country was founded on the principles and values of freedom, equality, justice, and liberty. And it seems like proponents for Yes for 8 are deluded into thinking that they have protect marriage or something. I’m sorry, but can someone explain to me how gay people marrying each other will shake the relationship with your spouse? It just boggles my mind. Mmm this is why I’m scared of religion. I mean, it’s great to believe in something that is a source of comfort and strength to people in times of need, but to use that to deny others of their freedoms is pretty darn ridiculous and NOSY. I’m sure most people MEAN well, but the problem is that these people who put religious beliefs before others’ beliefs don’t try to understand that religion doesn’t come first for everyone. It’s not a priority, and just because you think it’s good for you, it doesn’t meant that it’s good for others. I’ve been struggling with how to approach the nature of religion for a long time, and I have pretty much decided for myself that it is not a priority. I do think that it can be beneficial for many people out there, as long as their faiths and beliefs do not harm others. I just think that it is easily used as a tool for manipulating people, and sadly, that is exactly what it has become. It is sad to see that such practices occur in a country that clearly wanted separation of state and church (Hello? Revisit Protestants and Church of England, anyone?)
….in the end, I just want what is FAIR, EQUAL, and JUST. It’s not about right or wrong, since those are subjective. I want everyone to have the freedoms and opportunities that I enjoy, and I want to enjoy all the freedoms and opportunities that everyone else enjoys. And if that’s possible by the end of the day, then I’d say that’s pretty darn fair.
