We all have different opinions and belief systems, but America, has, since its inception, stood for respecting the rights of others to believe as they believe, speak as they believe and worship as they believe as long as it doesn't violate natural laws or infringe on others rights.
Awhile ago a friend of mine brought up an issue that I felt very strongly about because of what I believe about God. God gave everyone free-will choice; he doesn't force anyone to believe him. As we continued to talk she told me I should respect others beliefs. That isn't quite true. The real truth is that we should respect the right of others to believe and make free-will choices about what they believe, say and do. For example, if I don't believe in the observance of Lent, I have that right. However, I do have to respect another's right to believe in it. This is a very unemotional and simplistic example, but there are other issues that evoke huge reactions and very emotional responses. I am well aware of the complexity of our society and there are issues of science and morality that are being tested in the public square. Who is supposed to set the standards of how people treat each other? It is not the government, IRS, the banking system, wall street, cable news, philosophers, social justice warriors, teachers, doctors, psychologists or even theologians that determine what is right and true.
In our conversations with each other, we will always be involved with an exchange of ideas. No two people think alike. We are all different and have had different life experiences and education. If we happen to hear a different idea and demean and act condescendingly to the other person for what they believe, the exchange stops. The word 'woke' falls in that category. It is a dividing single expression that indicates there is an opposite group that is 'snoozing'. The label, 'woke', is polarizing. When someone opinion is at cross-purposes to what I believe, I have the right to reject it, but that does not mean I belong to a hate group. I don't hate anybody.
4 Charity suffereth long , and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; I Corinthian 13:4-6
