This is my new place for collecting the things and thoughts I find interesting, moving, and/or worth sharing.
Why the title, Majority of One?
Couple reasons for that. First off, everyone has a unique perspective on life. No one else in the world will agree with ME 100% of the time on every single issue, on every single choice. So the idea that there is a "majority" for anything is kind of an illusion. We might stand by someone on a particular issue, but be in exact counterpoint with them on something else. Obviously, I'm in the majority when I say that slavery, theft or murder is wrong. Unfortunately I'm NOT in the majority when I espouse that gay and lesbian Americans deserve the same rights and privileges as every other tax-paying citizen of this great experiment we call the United States.
However there is one place where I am always guaranteed to be a member of the majority, and that's inside my own head. It's my own internal commentary that I get to listen to every single frickin hour of the day. That ever-nagging voice that says I really should clean out the garage this weekend, or I should be getting up early every day to go to the gym. The one that berates me for not getting more involved socially and politically causes that are just. And on good days, the voice that tells me I really am loved and that I really am good enough.
The other majority the title refers to is simply the "majority" that includes every living being on the planet, human or otherwise. We're all more alike than we are different. About the only thing I've retained from my Southern Baptist upbringing is the Gold Rule - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (Matthew 7:12) but I think it's a good maxim to live by (and no, I don't mean the magazine, look it up!). I don't need an organized religion or cult leader (can someone explain the difference?) to tell me what is or isn't a sin, and who's going to heaven or who will burn in hell, as long as I'm willing to treat everyone with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Without getting all "new-age-ish" on you, we all are a majority of one... one cosmos, one world, one humanity. The sooner we get that through our thick skulls, the sooner we'll be living in a better place.
So, welcome to the inside of my head. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
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Happy you've started a blog, Jeff - and I look forward to future posts! Thought it was interesting that you opened by saying you're "NOT in the majority when I espouse that gay and lesbian Americans deserve the same rights and privileges..." There's some interesting polling out there about this, much of it fairly optimistic. Another blog I enjoy posted an interesting analysis of the whole gay marriage question, and while overall nationwide support for gay "marriage" is at about 42% (so, not a "majority,") there are a number of polls that show that nationwide support for "equal legal rights and privileges for gays and lesbians" is over 50% (as long as we don't call it "marriage"). So while we're still in the minority, there is a silent reservoir of support out there for legal rights -- maybe the next step needs to be de-fusing the word "marriage" to be less of a "hot" button.
ReplyDeleteEnjoying the ride inside your head so far, Jeff -- looking forward to what comes next!
Hey Ashley! You're my first comment!
ReplyDeleteYep, you're right, at least conceptually, a high percentage of people believe we should all have equal rights. In fact, I think in most places, legislation is lagging far behind popular opinion. We can't even get congress to move on Don't Ask, Don't Tell when a very clear majority of the country thinks it should be overturned.
I'd still argue that if it's not called marriage, it still isn't equal. The word matters, or else NOM and the rest wouldn't be fighting so hard to keep us from having it.
In a perfect world, I'd have the government stay completely out of the business of "marriage." Convert all existing marriages to "Domestic Partnerships" for legal purposes, with all rights and responsibilities they entail. Then let each church set their own standards for marriage. The government doesn't get involved with baptisms, christenings, or bar mitzvahs. Why should it be involved with marriage?
Thanks for reading. I'll try and keep Facebook updated with any new posts I make. :)