by Mary Fahnestock-Thomas, Hamilton
Terri Lackey, the reason we all “need to just get along” (Bitterroot Star, July 19) is that we are all God’s children – that is, we all come from the same Source, whatever you choose to call it. And all the major religions of the world say we should treat each other the way we want to be treated.
Good sense says that, too. We can fight change and each other all we want, and the result will be that we destroy our own species. If we are respectful of one another, recognizing that each of us is on a unique journey with unique challenges, we will discover that kindness, withholding judgment (Matthew 7), and “getting along” might enable us to sustain our species, maybe even without too much discomfort.
I think you’re right that we can choose, as you say, to DO SOMETHING, but I believe that the first something is kindness, not name-calling and judgment based on a clear and seemingly willful lack of understanding.
You may consider yourself conservative and be generally in favor of clear rules and nothing changing. I personally welcome change based on increasing recognition of how very complicated human beings and indeed the whole universe are. We’re not on opposing teams unless we insist on seeing it that way.
No one wants to kill babies. Everyone wants to make their own choices.
Surely it’s everyone’s job to be, not afraid and angry and stuck in the past, but open, aware, fair, kind.