Freedom of religion does not mean freedom to discriminate. This is a very common saying/quote that many people do not seem to grasp the concept of. This is what it means to me: While no one can stop you from discriminating -as you do have agency- saying that you have the freedom of religion is not the same thing as saying that you have the freedom to discriminate. And why should you? Honestly? Are you really, truly better than anyone else because you believe or think differently than they do? We are all made equally. We are all seen and loved equally in God's eyes. He does not favor some over others because they have a different way of thinking, because they go to a different church, because they don't go to any church, because they look different from others, or because they feel different than others. Why can't everyone just try being accepting and kind? Why can't we all realize that we are all just human and that gender, race, where we're from, what we look like, hair color, what we believe, how we think, sexual orientation or identity -none of it should affect how we are treated by others. We should all be treated equally and we should all treat others equally. Because everyone can make a great argument against discriminating others, but can anyone make a good argument against doing our best to be kind and loving to them? Treat others how /they/ want to be treated. Treat them with respect and kindness and accept them for who they truly are. If even half the world could do this, could you imagine how much better life would be? You don't have to suddenly be the most kind or perfect person in the world -that's impossible. And it might be hard to stop thinking this way if it's how you've thought for a long time or if it's how you were raised, but just try. Just try to change how you look at others and try to see that they are a person just like you, no matter how they look, feel, think, or believe. And remember that nobody's perfect -it's all of our first times on earth (or if you believe in reincarnation, it's your first time in this life).
