I'm not much for most holidays... I stayed at a hotel the night of the 4th so I could get a decent night's sleep without hearing all of the fireworks right outside my window.
I was at a physical therapy appointment the other day and was asked what my holiday plans were. I said that I thought I might just go to a movie because I don't really dig holidays. Immediately I was bombarded with a guilt trip about how I should be grateful for the 4th of July and all the people who have fought and died for me, and I felt like this person was trying to convert me to Christianity, telling me how Jesus died for my sins and all of that.
I am about as into nationalism as I am into religion. I can certainly respect both, and if your feeling of connection to a Supreme Being works for you and makes you happy and gives you something to live for, who am I to tell you that you are wrong? Same goes for nationalism. I may not stand and sing the Star Spangled Banner at a sporting event or something, but I sure am grateful that as an American, I have the right to sit quietly through it if I so choose.
I'd rather be proud of my country for the good it does, and not for the wars it has fought. I have nothing but gratitude and respect for the folks who are out there, risking their lives, so I am definitely not embattled against veterans. I dig our constitution, and I dig that even people I do not agree with at all have the right to do what they do, be who they are, as long as they do not impose any of it on me. and I will not impose my beliefs on you, either, so if you are offended by what I write here, I invite you to find something to read that works for you, and please, enjoy it.
While I still have the right to believe as I do, I will. and I hope you will believe as you do, too.
No comments:
Post a Comment