Kayla’s answer to “Are there any Gay characters in this book ? Is there a minor or a major reference to homosexuality ?” > Likes and Comments

Based on this comment I added you as a friend - I adore people who truly embrace empathy and open mindedness That doesn't stop with your own views, no matter how liberal or inclusive they may be. As soon as you attack someone just for asking a question about a subject that might make them uncomfortable (it wasn't a hateful comment), even though it could mean they do not think alike, you're no longer as open as you claim to be. I have friends of all ages, from all cultures and religions (when I say all I'm not just talking about the well known monotheistic ones either), exactly for that reason. Because I let them be who they want to be. (And also because I love hearing how others look at certain events, history, society etc). My one rule is similar to yours, perhaps a tad more specific: as long as they aren't (purposefully) hurtful towards others, nor push their convictions on to me, I don't care what someone does/ thinks etc. I have also noticed a very nice thing: since I'm all for open, respectful discussion about everything while letting them be/ being open to their arguments I've actually shown people why the thing that frightened or angered them before isn't that scary or insulting or weird at all, or why it could be included into their world. And trust me, that means you might learn a thing or 2 too, or change your thinking. Not everyone is open to it, but they don't have to either. Would I love a world where everyone is finally free to love and marry whomever? And that we all respect and accept every single person on the planet? Duh! But that's unfortunately still an illusion. But it helps if you start to be exactly that person. (Within the limits mentioned). Anyway... very well said. I rarely meet people who think and act like this - a darn shame! Plus you like cats, so you must be awesome ;).

That's exactly the problem I have with people nowadays. They don't want an open discussion. They preach acceptance but they refused to accept that others don't have and don't need to have the same views they do. You can't force people to agree with you or change their lives and minds. You can't force acceptance or tolerance. The more you attack people aggressively for not sharing your views and talk down to them the more they will turn away from people with your views and refuse to be open to it. If you are patient and respectful people are much more open to listening to what you have to say even if you don't agree. And they will walk away with a more positive outlook on it than they came into the discussion with. You get what you give basically. I respect people who respect people. Respect, trust, acceptance and things of the like are all things that are earned not given and people these days don't seem to understand that. I don't care what anyone does with their life as long as what they are doing isn't directly harming someone else or something else. Or even directly harming themselves. But even then you can't try to force change. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink. You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. I wish more people understood that. But the way people try to "educate" other people nowadays is just making things worse. I am not religious whatsoever. But I have read various books on them including the religious texts themselves so that I understand where people are coming from when talking to them. There is more hate in religion these days than not and its pretty sad. People pick and choose and twist the parts of those texts and weaponize them against others or use them to place themselves higher than other people. It's genuinely sad. And extremely frustrating. Feels like the older I get the harder it is to make friends because all anyone wants to do is fight. lol I don't have many friends but the ones I do share my feelings. We can always hope some day people will come around but it isn't likely.

I also love cats. We (my husband and I) have two. Calcifer and Sophie lol

There is a whole lot of hate in this world. And an equal amount of love and good to be experienced. I am of the mind that thinks "why you would want to waste the limited amount of time we are given to hate and spread that hatred when you can experience so much good and so much kindness and love by just treating other people as you want to be treated."

Thank you THANK YOU!!

Well said!

Why should i respect your views, when your views do not respect me?

This is a perfect response to the ridiculous attacks!! Go you!