If I saw this outside of my police station, I would be intimidated. I would think that since Im not a Satanist, I would be subject to more scrutiny for not believing the same way. I would feel that my safety and concerns would be ignored because I do not share their values. I would feel that in a dispute with an avowed Satanist, the police would automatically take their side instead of looking at the facts. I would probably feel rather threatened and defensive, and I suspect many of you would, too. So now lets put the shoe on the other foot, since were supposed to treat others as we would be treated. Replace that with an icon of your own beliefs. Maybe a crescent if youre a Muslim. Or a star of David if youre Jewish. Or a cross if youre Christian. Did you know that not everybody feels the same way about that symbol as you do? Did you know that for some that symbol is not a beacon of hope and fairness, but a weapon thats been used against them personally to justify abuse, brutalization, legal persecution, terrorism, and even murder? Putting it outside of government buildings isnt going to teach a single one of those people who are horrified of, disgusted by, or indifferent to it to feel otherwise, no more than this monstrosity of a statue is going to change your beliefs. All that either will do is promote favoritism instead of fairness and breed mistrust, resentment, and divisiveness where none of these are acceptable or useful. It turns public spaces that should be safe places for all into war zones. It doesnt build communities. It divides them. You want to win converts? Stop wasting your time and taxpayers money building up monuments and other golden calves--for that is EXACTLY what they become regardless of what form they take when the object itself becomes more important than the well-being of ones fellow man and community--and start watching your own behavior, especially how you treat those who look differently, think differently, act differently, or love differently than you. Sticking those icons all over public buildings like overpriced propaganda posters wont do the work for you. Thats just being lazy at best and committing a form of idolatry at worst. Writing it into law isnt going to do it either. But demonstrating your beliefs in your private behavior and your interactions with others (especially those who are VERY MUCH others) will make all the difference when it comes to convincing people of the merits of your beliefs.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 00:17:12 +0000
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