I recently read an interesting article that said there are so many things that divide us, such as religion, politics, history and nationalism. I had to ponder this for a moment because something didn’t feel or sound right.
I should be able to be proud of my religion, my political viewpoint, my heritage and my country. I believe what is truly missing in society today is tolerance and acceptance. We are divided because we are being told what is right or wrong and that nothing else is acceptable.
When I am in public shopping, eating and just living life in general, I don’t think about any of those things. I don’t know anything about other people’s beliefs on any of those matters just by looking at them. What I do see and judge about people is how they treat their community, friends and family. Their actions and efforts paint the picture that I use to judge who they are.
Religion, politics, history and nationalism bring us together and form bonds between people who have similar beliefs and backgrounds. These things form the foundations for faith, pride and honor. They do not divide people, unless we close our minds to other possibilities and become intolerant to other beliefs.
Tyler Courtney
Greensburg