I Just Don't Understand.

After I read the news about Dr. George Tiller yesterday, I was angry, then as I read more about the events and started to read the reactions, that anger became rage and deepened into absolute fury. I wish I could make intelligent, coherent statements about these events, but I can't. I'm so angry, I'm shaking.

I don't understand why it to some people that the idea that a woman can choose when and how she becomes a mother is so horrifying. I don't understand why people that help women who have made really difficult choices are considered to be bad people. And I'm really lost on how this is all supposed to be tied to a person/being who was supposed to be forgiving, understanding and helpful to all.

I don't understand who gave these people the power to make choices for others. I don't understand why someone else's life is their business. I don't understand why they can't exist unless everyone believes what they believe, and why they can't simply live their own lives and believe their beliefs and not bother anyone. I don't understand why others living their lives differently are such a terrible, pronounced threat.

I don't understand why it's wrong to learn, to reason, to read more than one book. I don't understand why someone can't read and learn many things and still be able to believe in different things as well. I don't understand why knowledge is considered to be a threat to faith by some. I don't understand why their faith is so shallow, so fragile, that conflicting knowledge is dangerous.

I don't understand why some man had to stand screaming at people to BELIEVE BELIEVE BELIEVE for half of my subway commute today, why he was so adamant that we come around to his beliefs OR ELSE. I don't understand why it's so important to them that we validate what the believe, if their beliefs are so strong. I don't understand why they are considered the true believers, when those I know who really believe never once made me feel like less of a person for thinking or believing differently than they did. I don't understand why more people can't simply practice instead of constantly preaching.

And I don't understand how killing a person is okay if you disagree with what he believes. I've never understood that. I may not follow any religion, but I'm pretty clear on the big rules, and unless I don't understand, there's no loophole around that one, and I don't understand why some people believe that there is. I thought that one was pretty clear cut. But then, I guess I just don't understand. Does anyone?

I Just Don't Understand.

After I read the news about Dr. George Tiller yesterday, I was angry, then as I read more about the events and started to read the reactions, that anger became rage and deepened into absolute fury. I wish I could make intelligent, coherent statements about these events, but I can't. I'm so angry, I'm shaking.

I don't understand why it to some people that the idea that a woman can choose when and how she becomes a mother is so horrifying. I don't understand why people that help women who have made really difficult choices are considered to be bad people. And I'm really lost on how this is all supposed to be tied to a person/being who was supposed to be forgiving, understanding and helpful to all.

I don't understand who gave these people the power to make choices for others. I don't understand why someone else's life is their business. I don't understand why they can't exist unless everyone believes what they believe, and why they can't simply live their own lives and believe their beliefs and not bother anyone. I don't understand why others living their lives differently are such a terrible, pronounced threat.

I don't understand why it's wrong to learn, to reason, to read more than one book. I don't understand why someone can't read and learn many things and still be able to believe in different things as well. I don't understand why knowledge is considered to be a threat to faith by some. I don't understand why their faith is so shallow, so fragile, that conflicting knowledge is dangerous.

I don't understand why some man had to stand screaming at people to BELIEVE BELIEVE BELIEVE for half of my subway commute today, why he was so adamant that we come around to his beliefs OR ELSE. I don't understand why it's so important to them that we validate what the believe, if their beliefs are so strong. I don't understand why they are considered the true believers, when those I know who really believe never once made me feel like less of a person for thinking or believing differently than they did. I don't understand why more people can't simply practice instead of constantly preaching.

And I don't understand how killing a person is okay if you disagree with what he believes. I've never understood that. I may not follow any religion, but I'm pretty clear on the big rules, and unless I don't understand, there's no loophole around that one, and I don't understand why some people believe that there is. I thought that one was pretty clear cut. But then, I guess I just don't understand. Does anyone?