Everyone Is Entitled To My Opinion- On Religion and Keeping Your Mouth Shut
Dear Friends,
by Paul Big Bear
As a young man growing up I was told that there were several things you never discuss in public; sex, religion, and politics. First, discussing sex required talking about an intimacy between two people; somehow for a man sex became a subject for braggadocio. The male conquest over the female, which made her public discussion and fare game for the predatory male real men never do that. Second, religion is a very personal thing, no matter how many religions there are everyone is entitled to “Freedom of religion” the Bible says “Do not speak against any man’s religion and do not allow him to speak against yours.” Religion is a personal choice guaranteed by our Constitution. Third, politics, we, as American citizen’s vote for our government, the men and women who “represent” us I will say that again, we the people vote for those who will represent us as a nation. We listen and decide who we feel is going to best do that, represent us, not lead us. Lately politics has become a very volatile subject, discussing or debating is sadly a thing of the past, doing so is a very fast way to draw a line in the sand to divide family and friends. Open honest discussion is very important to our ability to make choices by sharing “facts” not rhetoric and rewritten history. As life changes it is all the more important that we recognize the facts, the truth.
I guard my rights to privacy regarding these subjects, I honor God, family, and country, I will fight to defend these rights; I choose never to trivialize them. At the same time I keep these subjects private. “Are you registered?” is a question I am often asked and my answer is “Yes.” If pushed I respond “I am a registered American.” I respect the truth, my own and yours; I respect your privacy and keep mine. If I find myself in the hospital needing an appendectomy to live, I want to know that those attending my health have the proper credentials; nursing and Doctor’s license, and a true desire to heal, beyond that all that is required is a Doctor patient relationship. And a good bedside manner is important both ways.