The Problem with Riding the Fence

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Aside from getting a huge wedgie. :XD: 

I've often been told I ride the fence too much about various issues. I'm not Republican or Democratic. I don't believe in Evolution, but I'm not a Christian. I believe in women's rights, but also the rights of men. I support gay marriage, but not abortion. (I don't know why people think this is on the same level...)

Because I ride the fence, I am sometimes called ignorant, foolish, a bigot, morally corrupt, and misinformed. 

I assure you I am none of these things. 

First of all, I live in a free country. I am entitled to my opinions and am permitted to do as I please with them as long as I am not damaging the life or the value of life of those around me. You will never see me on the corner of a street with a sign and screaming at the passersby. No. I'm not like that. 

Secondly, why am I being called ignorant? I love this part for some reason at the same time hating it. I got called an ignorant not long ago by someone because I didn't know a couple of actors. Okay...I know someone who can list all the actors in the world basically and she doesn't know who the first President of the United States was...you know...her own country? Just saying. This aside, I am not ignorant of what's going on around me. I am aware of the current political heat and even of plenty of past comparisons to make with what we are currently dealing with. I'm more interested in ancient Rome and Greece, sure, but this does not mean I am not aware of what is happening in my own government. I also have an opinion about it, but prefer to keep it to myself. Why? Because I get berated for it. When it comes time to vote, I will make my decision, but prancing around acting like my opinion is the only one to matter is not how I go about things. 

On the topic of foolishness, we are all considered a fool to someone. 

Now being called a bigot is an entirely different scenario. I have never understood this one. I am open to all religions, even evolutionists (don't try to teach me it, I know the details). I simply want to be permitted to do my voodoo in peace and I'll leave you to your own beliefs. I wholeheartedly support the gay community and wish they would get their rights already. I wish there was more we could do to help the homeless who are actually trying to work and feed the hungry and clothe the poor. I have no issues whatsoever with different races/social classes/cultures/sects/genders, etc! I don't get it! I believe in equal rights to all people and they should have them, so for Pete's sake I am not a bigot!

Morally corrupt was a new one. I got called morally corrupt because I didn't like abortion. Again. I am not the one out there holding a sign. I simply wouldn't get an abortion myself or advice it to someone given the health risks to the woman and because I know people who've gotten abortions and all of them have regretted it. I'm not going to go up to someone and slap them across the face and tell them what to do. I don't even think of them as evil for doing it: just maybe a bit misinformed. Do I think under-aged girls should have to go through their moms first? Sure. Should teenagers be educated about the health risks and psychological problems of going through an abortion? Definitely. People should be educated before such an important life-changing decision, whether or not they believe it has a soul. If this makes me morally corrupt...well, I'm not sorry. 

Finally, being called misinformed has always greatly amused me because I hate being misinformed. I am constantly looking stuff up, reading up on information, and clarifying the details I couldn't understand before. Does this make me intelligent? I doubt knowledge is the only indication of intelligence, so no I would say this doesn't make me intelligent. Does this make me informed? Yes. Now, granted, I do not remember everything I learn and so in arguments/debates/whatever you want to call them, I often forget the tiny little facts. If this argument is happening in person, I do come across as an idiot. If I am given the argument and have time to prepare my notes, I guarantee you'll find I am not misinformed. 

Of course, this all leads me back to the beginning problem of riding the fence. Do I ride the fence? No. I have strong opinions on life and its values and what I believe is the moral standard. Why do I come across as riding the fence? Two reasons: one, it is not my job to dictate how you run your life. That's your problem. I can barely run my life; I have no business trying to run yours. Two, I'm what I like to call an "equalist" (no, this is not a real term). I believe in equal rights for everyone and want peace and happiness for the whole world. I do not anticipate this happening nor do I ever believe we'll find an Utopia, but it's a nice thought that helps me get through the day. 

In closing, we'll ask me the question why I decided to write this journal post: because I'm tired of dealing with it and would like you all to know. Not a lot of people read my journal posts, so I'm not particularly concerned about getting in an argument. Feel free to comment. Brighten my day or send me a rain cloud: you're choice. :D


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