Live and let live

It’s a very interesting phrase. Its implication is that I should live my life in the way that I choose, and allow others the right to do the same. I live, and I let them live, and in theory, we should all be happy and get along.

But more and more I’m seeing that people are applying this rule more unilaterally than it seems to be designed. It sounds great as it stands, and it has a wonderful egalitarian air about it, but when it comes to practical reality, it ends up being more like, “You should live and let me live, but I don’t have to let you live.”

Some minority religions want to be allowed to celebrate their holidays in peace. I’m happy to allow it. Heck, I’ll even join them, in many cases. So, why don’t they want to allow me to celebrate Christmas?

In an effort to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sexual preference, one of the largest adoption agencies in Boston was forced to choose between violating their Catholic beliefs or closing their doors.

They opted to close. It didn’t matter that they were a private charitable organization, who didn’t receive government money. They still had to close. Now who will place all of the kids they were serving?

Here’s what I’m feeling: If you want my support, it would be a lot easier to get it from me if you’d stop attacking me.


MRKH
Mark Hansen
http://markhansenmusic.com