great blog entry…thanks
Author: advgrrl
Avid ADV rider! This Blog is all about the adventure in adventure riding. Researching new bikes, routes, accessories, learning about other riders and hopefully a great place for others to comment and explore with me. PLUS, up and down's, wildlife, my dogs, my life! View all posts by advgrrl
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Even after being on this earth nearly 40 years I still am no nearer to understanding why so many people get worked up into a frenzy over the private lives of others. If someone wants to love, have sex with, or marry another person, who is anyone to make a fuss about it? Live and let live, I say… people in glass houses…..
Winds me up that some people abuse their religions to impart a holier-than-though, know-it-all attitude on others – but what’s worse is that they often believe their religion gives them carte blanche to foster hate and intolerance, exactly what most religions were formed to prevent!!
The French culturally do not involve themselves in the private lives of strangers – if two people go to a hotel, for example, they are simply asked if they want one bed or two – end of. A lot of people could learn from that.
Gree with George. If it is any kind of moral support: homosexuality is integrateted in Dutch culture as well. As long as homosexuals don’t make a fuss, the Dutch people will not either. Only accepted exception is the Amsterdam Gay Pride, have a peek on Google to learn about that 🙂
Agree with George…
I have a somewhat unique perspective as I am half Fryske and half Greek—in other words, culturally one side tolerant of nearly everything and the other side tolerant of nearly nothing haha… I would go one step further and say that Dutch culture is accepting of anyone and any subculture provided people go about their business without calling undue attention to themselves. You don’t see people in the Netherlands overly intimate in public, ever, for example. Everyone treated equally and no one standing out.
Unfortunately I can’t say the same about my Greek side—although I am fluent in Greek, I hear whispers whenever I go into a shop around where my family live in rural Greece because people immediately know I’m not from there, even though I lived there as a child. Also, people seem to be apprehensive about the (discreet) tattoo on my upper arm. The colour usually drains out of their faces when I confront them in Greek. And the thing that makes me most annoyed is that my family badger me about things like how much money I earn which is just not something one discusses!
What I find interesting is that the northern Europeans see me as mediterranean and the southern Europeans see me as Nordic, because I have northern features with a southern complexion! But suffice it to say I relate with my family in Fryslân far more than my family in Greece.
Religions foster division and fear. Most religions are based on fear. Fear of the unknown. And whether religion was originally intended without corruption, they have lost their way for sure. I was brought up to fear an almighty invisible entity that’s always judging and being told that this entity is gonna get me. I was also told there was an Easter bunny, tooth fairy ( no pun intended to my homosexual friends ) Santa Claus, the Boogey man , etc. I see bumper stickers that say god bless the sniper. Really? Religion as we know it and a big majority of this planet that practice without question an outdated way that came about during a time when people thought the world was flat and so on. However as there seems to be more and more young and old kids with the courage to be themselves, whatever that might be, there are also more and more of us who do not believe in sin or heaven or hell or an invisible man, and know we are all one. It doesn’t mean I don’t believe in right and wrong. It’s just that there is nothing wrong with loving another, same sex or not. May we all wake up and tend to our own lives trying to make it better for all, now, and not somewhere in the uncertain future and promised place. If only more people could show the courage that the gay community has shown and stop living in such fear we might have a chance. I have gay family members and friends and they’re not scary, just have different tastes. Peace to all of us stumbling along. There are always casualties in movements towards enlightenment. My heartfelt thoughts go out to all those kids, ( someone’s child ) who were so broke in spirit that they took their own life. To quote my other favorite Canadian, Neil Young: “to give a love, you gotta live a love, To live a love, you gotta be “part of”. Start loving each other and remember GOD is the Great Out Doors. I think I read that on “Adventure Girls” Peace, Love and understanding will take us where we need to be.
👍wow! I don’t even know how to respond to this fantastic comment other than to ask if I may post this as a blog post and our fb page as well? Thank you!
+1 on this! Well said!
Jimi, I couldn’t agree more well said.
Jim
I think the youth pastor’s comment that because people are dying, what we believe doesn’t matter is a good first step.
If people weren’t dying, it would still be important to accept them as fellow human beings.
Bigotry is ugly. It doesn’t matter whether the bigotry is sexual, racial, or religious.
John.