Dear Anonymous

Dear Anonymous:

You left the following comment on my blog, in response to my post on the visit of Francis Cardinal George coming to speak and I wanted to comment on a few things:

Original Comment from Anonymous:
“It's nice to think of people coming together in solidarity and recognizing the hand of god in things. But what if people don't believe? There is a reason that there is no state religion for example. Religion is a choice. It would be nice if congress sang about god together, but the fact of the matter is, not everyone believes in god, or those who do believe believe in different ways. Let's say I'm an atheist, and I find refuge and solidarity by getting together with other non-believers and talking about what we believe in. Does that mean that if you and I are both in public offices that we should go about building such solidarity my way, not yours? Surely you would object. Stop trying to force religion in areas that are meant to remain neutral to it. It doesn't mean that individuals, or even large groups, can't act in a way that squares with their beliefs, but you have to see the problems when you try to prject that onto the political arena. It's not the place. No matter how much you think it should be. Why don't we try to find common ground that we can build on. Instead of hoping and wishing that congress would sing "God Bless America" (And ******* and moaning when they don't) try to figure out a way to accomodate each other so that we can all have a sense of comradery regardless of our religious backgrounds. Your thoughts are naive and way too compartmentalized. Leave the mountain west and see the world for what it is.”

My Comments:
Thank you, Anonymous. I appreciate the gentle reminder that no two people are alike; exactly how God created us. With that said, I respectfully remind you and any other readers, that this is my personal blog. I have the freedom to write and share my opinions however I please - I may write things with which you disagree - this post being our case in point.

Personally I believe that, (I don’t think you will agree with this, and that is absolutely your prerogative,) this nation was founded by men who were led by God. If people don’t believe in God, that is their choice. I believe in God. He still leads us today – however, men and women have chosen not to believe that or listen to Him. I hope, again, this is my personal belief, that one day our nation will return to worshiping Him and recognizing His hand in all things. That is what I believe. That is my right. I do not believe that I am closed-minded, naive or that I compartmentalize things too much. I work very hard to look at situations from different perspectives - but when I believe something, I believe it, and I don't stray from that. I do think we are arguing a moot point – you believe one thing. I believe another. We both have that freedom. We’ll agree to disagree, but we both have the right to voice our opinions – and that is exactly what I was doing on my blog.

Also, I respectfully disagree with you that I should have to leave the mountain west to see the world for what it is. Why should it make any difference where I live? The world is the world. I’m watching the same news channels and reading the same NY Times articles that you are. (Unless they print two different copies and I get the “censored” version. I highly doubt that.) It is up to each man and woman to educate themselves. Should everyone move to the east coast (the supposed promised land)to receive their education and upbringing? Hmm, I would presume that there are differing opinions on that question. I would say no. I spent nine years growing up in northern California, studying a month in Italy, working and serving a year and a half in Germany and have spent the accumulation of my high school and college years in Utah. There are two sides to this debate: do we need to see blood, murder, sex and violence to appreciate what we have? Yes and no. How can we appreciate good and happiness without experiencing bad and devastation? We can't. However, there is a point where we come to understand how much bad is out there and we don't need or want to participate in it or see it to appreciate the good. So, I think I will stick to my west coast ways. Los Angeles has murderers just like New York does.

Again, Anonymous, I’ll state that we’ll agree to disagree, but we both have the right to voice our opinions – and that is exactly what I was doing, and will continue to do, on my blog.

You cool with that, friend? I am. If you don’t like what you’re reading on my blog, you also hold the freedom to not read my blog anymore.

Your imperfect friend who tries to be a little better and a little more open-minded everyday,

Ashley E. Jones