I truly have the deepest appreciation and respect for government. It's a brilliant institution that builds a nation, feeds and teaches; it shelters its people, leads them by the hand, and is arguably the parent of society.
But politics, the tainted government dealings that are controlled by the inherent failures of humanity--I have very little respect for that.
For the most part, I stay silent in political discussions, even with some of my dearest friends. Opinions are fickle creatures, you see. Depending on their nature, they can poison the mind and fill the heart with pride. Often times, when threatened by the enemy, it morphs into a violent predator, unaware of its own strength and size. It can sabotage its herd and strip the pureness of its habitat.
Opinions are a dangerous species. And frankly, I'm unfortunate to have enough of them wrecking havoc in my life without the political kind becoming a factor.
But religion, especially the mixture of religion and politics: that's a beast worth unleashing.
I'm not here to inform you on the current status of the horrific Iraqi Christian genocide. I will not relate to you the sadness that drowns my heart knowing that the home of my family is a home I will probably never see. I will not describe the appalling images that fill the internet and (barely) the media, nor discuss the heartbreaking displacement of my people--people who I share a culture, a name, a faith, and a life with.
I'm here to discuss the repetitive ignorant, selfish, distasteful and disrespectful behavior I've begun to encounter. My current political and religious battle is not overseas or in a different country. It's at home; this home. It's with my peers whom I interact with everyday--people who I also share a culture, a name, a faith, and a life with.
It's great to see people share the current situation of our Iraqi Christians over social media to educate, inform and show support. Really, it's wonderful to spread awareness in any and every way possible, especially on such an important issue that is not receiving the attention it truly deserves.
But, to be irreverent in doing so--this is where I cannot control my opinionated beast.
And so I ask you:
Is what you're sharing, educating, supporting: does it mean nothing to you?
This political issue is a religious one at its core. We're rallying for people who've had their religious freedom stripped from them.
They have no home, no ability to actively and freely pray the way we do. Yet, I'm beginning to see more and more people become irreverent towards the religious establishment we're working so hard to preserve.
To take photos in Eucharistic Adoration and disregard the sacrament before you; to post videos of group prayers at rallies instead of praying it with them; to speak at inappropriate times, during moments of silence and prayer and forget where you are; to share pictures of religious paintings or crosses yet curse in the caption...what are we fighting for if we can't be respectful of our own faith?
Truly, it is none of my business what people's spiritual life is like. It is not my place to judge someone's actions in this situation, no matter how outlandish I may think they may be. All I ask is that you don't make a mockery of the things that are so precious, so holy and so beautiful.
Preserving a sacred act and belief system does not call for disrupting it.
And so my friends, fight. Fight, share, speak, chant, and unleash your opinionated belief to your own discretion; but most importantly, pray.
Pray hard, pray often, pray with respect and reverence. Constantly keep all these things in your heart and mind. Be thankful for the graces, blessings and opportunities our brothers and sisters can only dream of right now. Be thankful every Sunday during Mass and pray for those who do not have the ability to attend; if there was ever a time to do that religiously, to be religious, to pray more, to thank God more, to speak to him more, to try more--it would be now. It would be when you have the freedom to do so, so that you can pray for those who don't.
And in the end, what's more important: changing your profile picture to show your support, or showing up to Mass and praying for those who aren't allowed to? Pray for them before God and in your heart; utilize our church and the community that these people are crying out to have. Show our faith and our church the reverence and respect it deserves--the respect these people are losing their lives to save.
This is my opinion, one that I'm not afraid to unleash. And if you disagree with any aspect, with all aspects--take your stance against me. It's the nature of the beast, but on this issue, I'm willing to fight.
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