More about the protest.

I haven't stopped thinking about Friday all weekend. I don't know why exactly it affected me so deeply, but I was seriously freaked out Friday night. Crazy, yes, but I couldn't shake the nervous feeling, as if Shirley Phelps-Roper was hiding in my dark kitchen, ready to jump out and beat me to death with a "God Hates Fags" sign.

I spent Friday night looking stuff up about these people, for some reason. I just wanted to understand, I guess. I watched some interviews, looked over their site (I don't think they do get money, after all - at least, they say they don't take donations, and there aren't any ads), read all of the FAQs and stuff... and I still just don't understand. Why they preach hate, they say, is because God preaches hate. They quote a bunch of Bible verses to "prove" that God hates, and that God doesn't love anyone on Earth, and there's nothing any of us can do but repent to change that.

As far as religion goes, I am not sure what I believe. As far as gods and myths and holy books go, I'm not sure where I fit in. But the lessons and virtues taught in nearly all organized religions - those I can get behind. Compassion, love for all things, The Golden Rule. I believe in those. And lately it seems that not many people do anymore, first and foremost these horrible Westboro people. Jesus, whether or not you believe that he was the Messiah or even existed, preached compassion and love. We can all agree on that, right? His basic message was "Love everyone and treat them with kindness, and do good deeds and you'll be rewarded in Heaven." Pretty much. He just wanted everyone to be happy, right? Even mean people, he told them to repent and change their ways, and there was still a chance for them. He didn't hate - I mean, sure, he was a man, and sometimes he got emotional, but overall he was a good guy. And he didn't want to see anyone in pain. And he told us to love and be kind and do good in the world, which in my book is pretty much the opposite of "I hate you all and it doesn't matter what you do, bwahaha."

I'm not even totally sure if I believe in any sort of an afterlife. I wasn't brought up religious. My parents were, but they didn't force us to go to church - unless we were at my grandparents' houses, because Christianity is very important to my grandmothers. And we went to church with them, and we listened, but it never really struck a chord in me like it does some people. On my own, I've researched Buddhism, Hinduism, Wicca, and I've paid attention when my Christian and Jewish friends talk about their faiths. I've been to Passover seders, Christmas masses, religious funerals and weddings. But still, I don't have any faith in God or Jesus or Christianity as a whole. I just don't. And that means I don't believe in hell, so telling me that I'm going there is really an empty threat. But even though I don't care about going to hell, I still do nice things and try to think the best of everyone and do what I can to save the world. And honestly, I think that means more than someone else doing it just because they don't want to go to hell.

But back to my point - where is the compassion, the love, the undying faith that most people associate with religion? Why is it good enough to believe in God, but not follow his teachings? And at the other extreme, why do some people think it's okay to follow (their interpretation of) his teachings so far that they forget the whole point? The point of most religions, as I understand it, is to be a good person. Whether you're rewarded with Heaven, reincarnation, good things coming back to you, or candy bars, or bunnies, or nothing at all - the point is, be nice to each other. Love each other. Treat people with kindness. And I think we've all forgotten that lately.

So I propose, in light of the horror of Westboro Baptist Church, we step it up a little. Combat their hate with love. Make it a point to do something selfless each day. Listen to someone when they're sad, or when they're happy. Try to understand before you get mad when someone cuts you in line. Forgive the girl at the register for getting your order wrong. Tell your family and friends you love them every chance you've got. Give someone a hug, or a compliment, or pick someone up when it's raining and they're walking home. Obviously, be careful and be smart, but above all - be compassionate.