Before Any of You Say Something Stupid...
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
- John Donne, from "Meditation 17"
I have never had anyone close to me die; not yet. It's one of my worst fears, however, if I can be honest. I fear that one day I will have to attend the funeral of someone I love more than I could possibly put into writing: my wife (God forbid!), my brother (ditto!), my mother, or my father. I can't stand the thought, and if I think about it enough, I could be moved to tears. I'm sure all of you can relate...
Differences are what set us apart; our differences illuminate the landscape of humanity; we need each other's individuality more than we realize. We should be thankful to live in a county where those differences can be expressed without fear -- I know I am.
I know a lot of you vehemently disagree with certain ideals, especially if those ideals are conservative, or--gasp--Christian. I also am aware that some of you don't like it when people have a public forum to state their opinions on issues close to your heart, whether those opinions cover such topics as the definition of marriage, or the sanctity of life, or sin, or heaven or hell. When someone says something we disagree with, our first reaction is to react angrily, or even emotionally. I have the same temptations as you do in this area.
I'm writing today to plead with all of you not to bow to the cowardice of backhanded comments, ignorance, band-wagon emotionalism, or insensitivity. Whatever you think of Jerry Falwell, he was someone's husband, father, grandfather, and best friend. There's a wife tonight without her husband, and sons and daughters and grandkids with an empty hole in their hearts. I don't care what their names are; I feel for them.
No, I did not go to his church. No, he's not my hero. No, I don't agree with his stance on dispensational theology. But who cares? No one's death, no matter how public (or private), is about me, or any of you.
I'm sure you'll all take this in the spirit it was intended.
Most honestly,
- El Ruiz
- John Donne, from "Meditation 17"
I have never had anyone close to me die; not yet. It's one of my worst fears, however, if I can be honest. I fear that one day I will have to attend the funeral of someone I love more than I could possibly put into writing: my wife (God forbid!), my brother (ditto!), my mother, or my father. I can't stand the thought, and if I think about it enough, I could be moved to tears. I'm sure all of you can relate...
Differences are what set us apart; our differences illuminate the landscape of humanity; we need each other's individuality more than we realize. We should be thankful to live in a county where those differences can be expressed without fear -- I know I am.
I know a lot of you vehemently disagree with certain ideals, especially if those ideals are conservative, or--gasp--Christian. I also am aware that some of you don't like it when people have a public forum to state their opinions on issues close to your heart, whether those opinions cover such topics as the definition of marriage, or the sanctity of life, or sin, or heaven or hell. When someone says something we disagree with, our first reaction is to react angrily, or even emotionally. I have the same temptations as you do in this area.
I'm writing today to plead with all of you not to bow to the cowardice of backhanded comments, ignorance, band-wagon emotionalism, or insensitivity. Whatever you think of Jerry Falwell, he was someone's husband, father, grandfather, and best friend. There's a wife tonight without her husband, and sons and daughters and grandkids with an empty hole in their hearts. I don't care what their names are; I feel for them.
No, I did not go to his church. No, he's not my hero. No, I don't agree with his stance on dispensational theology. But who cares? No one's death, no matter how public (or private), is about me, or any of you.
I'm sure you'll all take this in the spirit it was intended.
Most honestly,
- El Ruiz