Religion and Othering Culture

There are individuals preaching fear-based religion through megaphones downtown in my local community.

“Repent your sins”

“Do not remain silent about homosexuals”

My heart feels the familiar ache of grief for the impacts of this targeted hatred.

I want you to know:

If you don’t fit the mold they preach for others to match, you are not the problem.

Read that again:

You are not the problem.

You are perfect as you are.

Fear mongering is not motivational.

It is not a reflection of love.

Fear divides.

Fear incites hatred.

It creates “othering” culture.

But there is no such thing as “others” in humanity.

We are a beautiful spectrum of color, texture, sexuality, language, and ability.

Humans are naturally diverse like snowflakes glistening on a beautiful winter’s day.

You are not going to hell.

You are not less.

You ARE loved and seen in your fullest expression.

Those who do not know how to love you in your muchness are inspired from a place of lack and fear.

Their bias is not about you,

it is a reflection of their self-imposed limitations.

I wish for them to break free of their mind prisons.

I wish for them to experience a new perspective,

a new way of sharing their beliefs

with love, grace, and acceptance of all of their fellow humans.

The core essence of all religions is love and purpose.

Let’s lead with love,

knowing that we are loved in the moments of raw humanity.

If you have not heard it lately from family or friends, let me speak as a stand-in mother,

a stand-in sister,

a stand-in daughter,

a friend:

You are perfect in your muchness.

Keep being so magnificently you.