Intolerance

There's nothing that I loath more than people who try to shove their beliefs down your throat like they are the only acceptable ones. I like to think that I live in a world that is open to the concepts of diversity, relativity and freedom. The reason why I hate homophobes is not merely because they practically abhor the likes of me, but because they rather slack off the rest of their lives beeing spoon fed with collective beliefs and perceptions rather than take their own initiative in knowing the truth.

These past few days, I've had several encounters with this person they call Kuya Kevin. I always tell myself that whenever I meet a full blown homophobe, I should give myself a tap in the shoulder, for I believe that they are on the brink of extinction. Anygays, he is definitely the embodiment of homophobia, his rants and choice of words when he commented on my article about homosexuals in Tamarawbayan.com pretty much stated where he stands. I couldn't care less about what he said or what he thinks, but it's just that whenever I come across him, I couldn't help myself from being overtly disgusted and rude. And that's not because I find his often religious beliefs wrong, it's because he cannot find it within him to exert even a little effort in understanding others. He just logged in and judge the existence and morality of homosexuals like he had travelled around the world and had learned everything about us. The arrogance that he displayed when he made his beliefs known definitely flared me up.

"I know that I know not". If one of the most well known philosopher in history can admit that he is devoid of knowledge, why can't we? I'm not saying that we must go out there and act stupid. It's just that I observe that, sometimes, as people become more philosophical, the more indifferent and rude they become. They act as though they know everything that they become so tense and aggressive in expressing their philosophies, all the while ridiculing and belittling that of the others.

Though I admit that I have a rather vague stand when it comes to the existence of God, I don't go out there and insult the beliefs of people who follow Him. I wouldn't be able to look myself if I do that for I wouldn't be any different from the homophobes that I vowed to fight. I don't think that you can fight something by using the manner in which it is fueled. You can't fight evil with injustice and violence. You can't fight discrimination with crimes and indifference. And you can't fight hate with hate.

I still pray with my friends and classmates. I still kneel with them at church and I even volounteered to lead an opening prayer for our seminar. If I am asked by muslims to come to their mosque and pay respect to Allah, I wouldn't hesitate. I don't think that this makes me a hypocrite. I am committed to being an example to my likes; that even though most people discriminate and hate us, I can still find a reason to love and respect them despite our differences.

Though I admit that it might be contrary to what I've been saying about acknowleding diversity and differences, I can't help but think of how wonderful the world can be if everybody can do the same.

XOXO

Jerome