Recently someone, who shall remain unnamed, accused me of attacking their religion (Christianity) by criticizing Israeli settlers and the Israeli government. My criticism was brought on by the firebombing of a Palestinian family’s home by Jewish settlers.
That act, resulted in an 18 month old BABY named Ali, his father, and his mother BEING BURNED ALIVE. His 4 yr old brother has survived. So far! To say I was upset is an understatement. But, I apologized for my profanity!
I was also critical of Israel’s undermining of President Obama’s effort in the so-called “Iran Deal”. The option to which, in my OPINION, is WAR!
Anyway, I was so blind-sided by this accusation; it took me some time and discussions with family members to wrap my mind around it. Because of the way I was confronted, I felt compelled to address this in a public way, in the event this person repeats this accusation to others. This is not out of the question!
As Popeye the sailor would say “I yam what I yam”!
MY NAME IS MY NAME and the reputation attached, is important to me. That includes my birth name, pseudonyms, or “nick-names” by which I may be known.
I am an Atheist and as such, have NO religious interest, and NEVER write about RELIGION, and try to avoid TALKING about it. Anything that appears on this Blog and written by me, is STRICTLY from a political perspective! If I reference Religion, here, or in speaking about political issues, I attempt to do so within a POLITICAL FRAMEWORK!
But I will defend to the death, YOUR right to your religious beliefs, no matter what those beliefs might be. Whether Christian, or Muslim or Hinduism, Judaism or any other!
When I joined the US military, in part, that’s what I thought I was doing. Defending those VERY rights. YOURS and MINE!
War taught me many things. Not the least of which, is WAR IS INSANE! And I will speak against it whenever and, wherever I can. Even if it makes me sound crazy! What is that song…? “I love it (I don’t care)”? Well when it comes to speaking out about WAR, “I DON’T CARE!”
This BLOG exists partly for that reason. I deal with national and international issues. But it is NOT a travel log. So I’m sure from time to time I will say things which you may disagree with. THAT’S FINE! I don’t profess to be an expert on everything I write about. I encourage the sharing of views. AND I WILL NEVER, INTENTIONALLY SAY OR WRITE, ANYTHING I KNOW TO BE OFFENSIVE!
HOWEVER, my point is your rights STOP where mine BEGIN!
I am NOT a professional writer nor do I pretend to be one. If you are reading this, then that’s obvious. But I thought I had better mention it just in case you are not reading this. (Insert laugh here).
But because I am not a professional, doesn’t mean I SPEAK or WRITE in SYNONYMS.
When I say “America”, this IS NOT a synonym for “Christianity”!
When I say “India”, this IS NOT a synonym for “Hinduism”!
When I say “Israel”, this IS NOT a synonym for “Judaism”!
When I say “Turkey”, this IS NOT a synonym for “Islam”!
I will probably never be a renowned bestselling author, but I know the difference between a religion and a country. And unless you can prove you are “Mr. Spock” I will not allow you to tell me what I’m thinking!
THESE ARE COUNTRIES NOT RELIGIONS!
Criticizing Israel IS NOT anti-Semitic.
Criticizing Turkey IS NOT an attack on Islam.
You can’t play that card with me! No matter how many times you say it or how LOUD you say it…IT JUST AIN’T!
PERIOD!
Can you imagine how difficult communication becomes, if YOU THINK in SYNONYMS and others don’t? Talk about “LOL”!
Imagine overhearing a conversation where one person tells another:
“Since I’m retired now, I think I’ll take a trip to Christianity and from there we might visit Hinduism”! Try booking that ticket!
That’s what it SOUNDS like when you THINK in SYNONYMS. A SYNONYM for that type of thinking might be “C-R-A-Z-Y!”
And to the person who accused me of insulting their religion. Next time someone says something like I did, you might consider acting like a grownup and say “I’m not comfortable talking about this!” Or ” I find your comments offensive”. I would have apologized, and never mentioned it again. I think most people would do the same. Just a suggestion!
Separation of state and church is part of my DNA! An upcoming post will address that very issue, as it relates to the current US political primaries. (This was written before this came up.)
I welcome ALL criticism. I can handle it! If you think I’m moron, say so, it’s OK I can handle it. No matter how vile, your remarks about me, or my comments, it will be published!
NOT!
