Tolerance

I have a confession.  It's something. . . Scandalous.  I just don't know how to tell the whole world, I don't think they're going to be able to fully understand. 

I enjoy milkshakes.

I don't eat my veggies.

I drink caffeine.

I sometimes wear sweatshirts in public.

I'm a girl who wants to go into politics.

I'm a Mormon.

I'm a Democrat.

And, two of my best friends in the whole world are gay.

I know.  Crazy.  I'm just a jumble of social assumptions gone wrong.  

I want to say somethings.  I'm not meaning to preach, and I'm going to avoid sounding that way.  But.  Somethings need to be said.

A)  I love my religion. I will not give it up for anything, simply because there is nothing that will EVER be worth giving it up for.  Now.  Because I love my religion, that does not necessarily mean I support every single thing ever member does.  I am my own person.  I consider myself (I have no clue how to make this sound humble at all) a very accepting person.  I do not judge based on rumors or past actions.  I'm a firm supporter of "just because you aren't LDS doesn't mean you're a bad person."  In fact, some of the sweetest, kindest people I know do not belong to my faith.  On the other hand, some of the biggest jerks I know go to church with me every Sunday.  This is the disclaimer for the rest of the things I'm going to delve into.  Sometimes you have to understand just because one person may ruin it for you, does not mean it's worth giving up.

B) This isn't necessarily the "meat and potatoes" of this post, it's merely a side-note that kind of applies.  I'll make it extremely short.  I'm a democrat.  That does not mean I do not live the standards of the church or am a "devil-worshiper."  I do not want to control the lives of every citizen because I feel like "we can't take care of ourselves."  I do not follow Lucifer.  I do not want to force everyone to do the same thing.  I HATE it when I'm told these things.  I like the idea of giving everyone a fair, equal shot at life.  Especially when we're going to talk about education and healthcare.  I'm all for welfare.  I believe we should be helping those who are TRYING to help themselves, but can't seem to catch a break.  Isn't that what we should be striving for? Helping one another.  Not judging because of circumstance or social status or by how much money is in someone's bank account? 

*side note* The law of consecration.  Giving up all we have and then dividing it among the people equally.  Hmm. . . Why am I being targeted for wanting to give what we have to those who have less.  (sorry, it just popped into my head)

C) Sorry.  That got off topic.  This is the meat.  

Recently, there has been an EXPLOSION surrounding the gay community and the LDS church.  Many active LGBT  members have criticized the Mormon church for it's "stringent" standards regarding homosexuality. (Gah, this is so hard for me to write)  I'm going to ask those bashing the church to stop.  Please.  Everyone has something they stand for.  I'm going to take a stand for what I live.  I am going to ask for you to listen to yourselves and stop judging.  Do not judge "the mormons" as "gay haters".  That's not true. 

We are all looking to be accepted for who we are and what we believe.  I firmly believe a good Christian (yes, Mormons are Christian) will love all men (and women), but can choose to hate the actions of these friends.  Hating the action does not mean hating the person. And loving the person does not mean you have to love every single thing they do.

I love my friends to death.  I do not condone their actions, I do not support them.  I support the people.  All men were created equal, some will live with harder challenges then some.  And those who have the strength to overcome them are role models for everyone.  I would encourage everyone to read this: http://www.joshweed.com/2012/06/club-unicorn-in-which-i-come-out-of.html?spref=fb .  I'm sure many you have already heard about Josh Weed and his Club Unicorn.  If you haven't read it.  It's an incredibly touching story.  After that, read this response: http://brockwilsonwillydude.blogspot.com/2012/06/cinnamon-rolls-but-does-it-rock.html .

Sometimes we should all be friends.  But, until that acutally can happen, the least we can do is tolerate each other. 

Now watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDIHxKnOyas

We don't even have to like the other person.  We just have to leave them alone.