Diversity and Open-Mindedness
Diversity Among Us Requires Open-Mindedness
Our eyes allow us to see, helping us take whatever action needs to be taken. They operate something like sensors hooked up to a computer system. When sensors detect a particular event, they transmit a signal to the computer, where the situation is analyzed and the appropriate action is taken based on a preprogrammed scenario. In the case of a computer system, the same conditions always yield the same action. In the case of two human beings, the same conditions don't always yield the same results.
When two individuals look at the same object, one may see it as beautiful and the other may see it as ugly. It is rare to find two individuals who completely agree. The same phenomenon is observed with the other senses. One person may find a scent enjoyable, and another may find it offensive. One individual may find a certain type of music annoying, but another may enjoy it. Life wouldn't be so difficult if each person's behavior could be reduced to a reaction to a physical stimulus. However, human reactions to physical conditions are influenced by emotion and instinct, not merely by rational thought.
Most of us have been conditioned since birth to look at things in a certain way. This conditioning takes place mostly at home. Religion also plays an important role in the conditioning process. For example, if we are born into a devoutly Catholic home, we will probably grow up as Catholics with certain preconceived ideas about life and the way to live it. Whether the Church's teachings make sense to us or not, we are told that we will burn in hell if we deviate from them. Some of us may reach a point in life where what we learned as children no longer makes sense, and then we may revolt against it.
Traditionally, most religions have employed the tactics of intimidation, using fear and guilt to ensure obedience. Today, we see people split into four main groups. The first group have explored their religious teachings, have decided that such teachings are completely illogical and unacceptable, and have become atheists. The second group have decided that their religious teachings are not perfect but continue to maintain the status quo. The third group - the fundamentalists - believe that their religious teachings are the literal word of God. The fourth group have rejected their religious teachings and are seeking spiritual knowledge elsewhere. Unfortunately, many in this last group are so hungry to discover the "truth" that they become the victims of unscrupulous or fanatical sects.
Even though religious beliefs are personal issues, they dictate how we live our lives, how we vote, and how we interact with other people. For example, it is difficult to be married to someone who is unsympathetic to your religious or spiritual beliefs. If you do marry such a person, you can expect arguments on just about every topic, especially when it comes to determining which moral code should be taught to your children. How would a couple consisting of a strict Muslim and a strict Christian teach their children about Jesus? It is unlikely that the Muslim would agree to teach the children to view Jesus as God, and the Christian would likely refuse to teach the children any other view of Jesus. Of course, it is improbable that a strict Christian and Muslim ever would end up marrying each other. In many mixed marriages, one partner converts to the other religion to accommodate the other. How unfortunate!
What upsets me more than anything else is the attitude of those who think that the rest of the world is wrong and should see things their way. What a narrow view of life! How can a single dogma apply to every race, culture, and religion? What makes these people so sure they hold the "right" view? It is rare to find two individuals who think completely alike - It is more common to see people with certain similarities. Each individual is unique.
Individuals usually seek others who share some of their interests. Most associations are strictly social. Rarely do they deal with such sensitive issues as religion. For some, social associations are sufficient, but for others, associations are incomplete without religious ties. People of the same religious belief tend to cluster together, and each cluster may have difficulty understanding why other clusters behave differently. If we were meant to be identical, God would have created us that way. Because each of us is unique and our uniqueness is governed by a cause-and-effect spiritual system, we will never see things the same way all the time. Diversity will always be with us - We should keep an open mind so we can deal with each other equitably.
Our eyes allow us to see, helping us take whatever action needs to be taken. They operate something like sensors hooked up to a computer system. When sensors detect a particular event, they transmit a signal to the computer, where the situation is analyzed and the appropriate action is taken based on a preprogrammed scenario. In the case of a computer system, the same conditions always yield the same action. In the case of two human beings, the same conditions don't always yield the same results.
When two individuals look at the same object, one may see it as beautiful and the other may see it as ugly. It is rare to find two individuals who completely agree. The same phenomenon is observed with the other senses. One person may find a scent enjoyable, and another may find it offensive. One individual may find a certain type of music annoying, but another may enjoy it. Life wouldn't be so difficult if each person's behavior could be reduced to a reaction to a physical stimulus. However, human reactions to physical conditions are influenced by emotion and instinct, not merely by rational thought.
Most of us have been conditioned since birth to look at things in a certain way. This conditioning takes place mostly at home. Religion also plays an important role in the conditioning process. For example, if we are born into a devoutly Catholic home, we will probably grow up as Catholics with certain preconceived ideas about life and the way to live it. Whether the Church's teachings make sense to us or not, we are told that we will burn in hell if we deviate from them. Some of us may reach a point in life where what we learned as children no longer makes sense, and then we may revolt against it.
Traditionally, most religions have employed the tactics of intimidation, using fear and guilt to ensure obedience. Today, we see people split into four main groups. The first group have explored their religious teachings, have decided that such teachings are completely illogical and unacceptable, and have become atheists. The second group have decided that their religious teachings are not perfect but continue to maintain the status quo. The third group - the fundamentalists - believe that their religious teachings are the literal word of God. The fourth group have rejected their religious teachings and are seeking spiritual knowledge elsewhere. Unfortunately, many in this last group are so hungry to discover the "truth" that they become the victims of unscrupulous or fanatical sects.
Even though religious beliefs are personal issues, they dictate how we live our lives, how we vote, and how we interact with other people. For example, it is difficult to be married to someone who is unsympathetic to your religious or spiritual beliefs. If you do marry such a person, you can expect arguments on just about every topic, especially when it comes to determining which moral code should be taught to your children. How would a couple consisting of a strict Muslim and a strict Christian teach their children about Jesus? It is unlikely that the Muslim would agree to teach the children to view Jesus as God, and the Christian would likely refuse to teach the children any other view of Jesus. Of course, it is improbable that a strict Christian and Muslim ever would end up marrying each other. In many mixed marriages, one partner converts to the other religion to accommodate the other. How unfortunate!
What upsets me more than anything else is the attitude of those who think that the rest of the world is wrong and should see things their way. What a narrow view of life! How can a single dogma apply to every race, culture, and religion? What makes these people so sure they hold the "right" view? It is rare to find two individuals who think completely alike - It is more common to see people with certain similarities. Each individual is unique.
Individuals usually seek others who share some of their interests. Most associations are strictly social. Rarely do they deal with such sensitive issues as religion. For some, social associations are sufficient, but for others, associations are incomplete without religious ties. People of the same religious belief tend to cluster together, and each cluster may have difficulty understanding why other clusters behave differently. If we were meant to be identical, God would have created us that way. Because each of us is unique and our uniqueness is governed by a cause-and-effect spiritual system, we will never see things the same way all the time. Diversity will always be with us - We should keep an open mind so we can deal with each other equitably.
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