Down the Rabbit Hole: Sweet Summer

Something I've been thinking about...

So on the Mass. Pike there is a huge advertisement behind Fenway Park, that recently changed but still on behalf of the same organization supporting gun control in the U.S. Personally, I think violence is never the answer and that no citizen should have any reason to own a gun. I drive past this sign whenever I go into Boston and inside I silently cheer on behalf of the "right" side.

After driving 20 or so hours home from St. Louis to the east coast, I remember passing dozens of right-wing anti-abortion, pro-christian fundamentalism signs. Inside I cheer whenever I pass a liberal, pro-abortion, anti-gun, or freedom-for-all billboard, but I never thought, do right-wing conservatives cheer silently as well when they pass billboards advocating their beliefs? The thing is, I KNOW that forward thinking, openness, and anti-discriminatory policies are RIGHT. How can something that supports equality for all walks of humanity not be? How can increased gun restrictions NOT be beneficial in preventing crime? And what right does anyone have in telling me I can't abort a cell-sized child if I am not ready nor willing to have a child?

New ad for gun control: Photo courtesy of TheTruthAboutGuns.com

Previous Ad for gun control: Photo courtesy of AdPulp.com

I believe that my political standpoints are right, fair, and just. So does the religious right and the conservative movement deserve to feel the same way about their beliefs? I'm honestly not sure. I don't get how someone can buy a weapon lethal enough to certainly kill another person and feel justified. There are dozens of other methods of self protection, and rarely do I hear of someone owning a gun in defense that is not later used in offense. Why is it that the southern states, often included in the bible belt, are the states with the fewest effective gun regulations? Why is it that more members of the bible belt, own more guns than the more liberal, less religious north, even though the christian religion forbids murder? Additionally, I don't understand how others can think they have the right over others' bodies based on religion (even when god is not a provable belief, nor accepted by all! Religion is an outdated system passed down between generations as an excuse for lack of science and reason). And how can anyone accept or justify the fact that many minority groups (including women) are still highly misrepresented and discriminated against?

Giant cross in Ohio

Billboard stating the Ten Commandments, Ohio

Bible Billboard, Western Pennsylvania

"Jesus is Alive" sign, Western Pennsylvania

It honestly sickens me when I pass advertised religion and christian beliefs on the highway, yet I'm excited to see my own values lit up on signs. Am I neglecting each individual's right to believe what they wish? Or is it truly wrong to push any sort of social control onto others, whether it be liberal or conservative? I am certain my way of thinking is correct, but how can I say that without being completely contradictory in denying others their beliefs? And if so, how is fair for conservatives to try and push their beliefs on other, causing restriction, when I believe pushing pro-abortion and anti-gun laws will create freedom, safety, and equality? If liberal and non-religious based morals intend to create a more non-restrictive and free choice environment for all individuals, how is it fair to impose socially conservative beliefs?

For this I am proud to be a minority. I am proud to be apart from the mainstream christian beliefs of this country, and I am proud to be from a socially liberal city like Boston that keeps abortion legal, gay marriage legal, and decriminalizes marijuana. So here's to you, Boston. Cheers.