Something that has been giving me an itch for a long time is how judgement is used within our society. Someone sees someone different, unusual and there is a near automatic propensity to categorise them and add the supposed flaws of that category to their character without even taking the time to discover if these even apply to the person or group.
Recently I overheard a conversation between two fiftyish women discussing how outraged they were to see their chuches minister spending time among "Those tattoed freaks and satanists" and how they were going to complain to their churches hierachy about his behaviour. Needless to say being a blunt truck driver I took great pleasure in shattering some of their illusions and in a manner that many would consider a tad on the rude side... Saying that however Judgement of someone in this situation is beyond rude, it is offensive.
So I went up to them and spoke, it went something like this... "Sorry I couldn't help but overhear... you two ladies are Good church goers?" I at this point was well dressed and soft spoken.. they responded very politely "Oh Yes... why do you ask?" and this is where they receved some education... "Well I could not help but overhear your discussion about your minister and it worried me?" At this they brightened up and told me directly how they were concerned their minister was associating with bad people and how it was tainting him in their eyes...
At this point both barrels were loaded and I let them have it. "So as long as he associates with good people like yourselves you are fine with him doing his job?" They started to squirm slightly "Well yes..." At this point I called them out for being hypocritical and several things I wont print here explaining to them that IF THEY ACTUALLY HAD FAITH AS THEY CLAIMED, THEY WOULD BE OVER WITH THEIR MINISTER TALKING TO THE PEOPLE THEY FOUND OFFENSIVE... After giving a lecture that tore shreds off them both for over ten minutes before letting them scuttle off like the cockroaches they were...
Strong Language? Yes it is... Inappropriate, no it is not.
The Black robes told the First peoples of the Americas that they were sinful and proceeded to lay a merciless war on the supposed savage whom worshipped animals... Because they were not only prejudiced and ignorant but did not even understand the spiritual teachings that had been given to them, instead somehow manipulating them to their world view, and if you didn't fit that view, well you worshipped devils.
How many innocent women were accused during the witch trials of Salem? How many people died at the hands of the inquisition in Europe? Yet here we stand in a supposedly enlightened age, judging people because they have a tattoo or wear a shirt with a symbol that may be interpreted as being of a dark nature.
To set foot on the path of judgement is a dangerous and destructive enterprise. There is so much truth and joy in the world, yet by choosing to judge, not only do we isolate ourselves from said beauty, we also isolate ourselves from knowledge, from wisdom, and usually from the spiritual values we claim to live by. If you see a homeless person on the street wearing a Satanic T-shirt in the middle of winter, do you offer him a blanket or do you roll your eyes and comment to your neighbour how that person would burn in hell. Seriously for all you know that person may be a veteran and that shirt might be the only thing they could find to wear after goodwill had tossed it out... But because of "Your misguided beliefs" you chose to ignore your spiritual obligation to be compassionate and decided to simply judge...
What we see with our eyes may not be what the reality is, and in fact I know people whom define themsleves as walking darker paths, yet their path is of a far cleaner and purer nature then many whom supposedly walk in the light. I personally know people whom tread darker waters yet are more trustworthy then many whom claim to be highly spiritual or religeous...
I have heard discussion, that RedNation is Christian based.. Well I am here to tell you, that is NOT true... RedNation is based on the Spiritual flame that has burnt and always will burn in the hearts of those whom stand proudly in their indigenous ancestral paths and cultures... Many have already been told that we are expected to be the keepers of each and every person and our reply is we do not sit in the seat of The Creator. We do not sit in judgement, and at the end of the day, what is in your heart, is your responsibility alone.
What does need to be said, is we have always included peoples of all faiths, creeds, religeons, colours and to some degree even lifestyles... All we have ever asked is that your heart is aligned to the Path our ancestors trod. We have been accused of being everything from new agers, pagans, even satanists... BUT the only thing we stand for is to maintain the tradtions, the culture, the gifts given us by our history... To maintain our stories so they do not vanish and die, for we are the Indigenous peoples of the world but first and foremost, human beings the same as everyone else...
Ponder it folks, the time comes when if you claim to believe in something, then you may have to put your money where your mouth is... Be a shame if you discovered you were wanting....
