So the other day I was watching the 90's rendition of the Miracle on 34th St., and at the end of the movie I thought to myself, "Society is making children grow up faster every generation." Then I remembered my pastor's children: when I asked the three of them if they believed in Santa Claus, the three of them were ages three, five, and nine, the response I got from them absolutely broke my heart, they said, "Daddy told us that Santa Claus isn't real and it's bad to believe in him." I looked down at the three year old and tears welled up in my eyes, as she stood her ground and stuck by what her father taught her.
What are we doing to our children these days? Why are we denying these young children their own beliefs, yet shoving our own into their delicate minds? What kind of people are we to make such claims about individuality and personal development when we don't even give people that chance?
By denying children to believe what they want to believe in, you're sending them the message that they'll always be wrong and what their dreams tell them, should not be considered. I remember always fantasizing about Santa Claus and what he would bring me, and whether or not I would ever get to meet him. My heart races for the jolly old man, and he is the man who inspires me to be the person I am today. No matter what people want to say about good old St. Nick, whether a truth or a myth he will always be my true inspiration.
This idea of asserting beliefs does not only apply to the younger generation, but to our generation as well. I get preached at by many visiting church groups to accept the blood of Jesus, or the word of God, when they don't realize that I already have. Even though you have the freedom of speech, there is always a right to your own beliefs. I understand that evangelizing is great, but don't try to come at me like a wildebeest ready to strike. You will lose your credibility and also have people lose interest in your work. Now it's not only the radical Christians that attempt to pull me in, they're just the one that is more vocal and prominent.
No matter who you are, forcing someone to alter their beliefs or fantasies is unjust. No one should ever have to undergo that kind of mistreatment and torture. An individual should be just that - an individual. Now, I accept some sort of friendly persuasion, but there is a cap, and many people choose to cross it.
This reminds me of my wonderful memories of the beach, and lo and behold someone is there evangelizing, telling everyone that they'll go to hell if they don't accept Jesus into their lives. Personally, I don't think they'll get anyone's attention by doing much of that, because firstly, they look ridiculous. Second, by ridiculing others, they're diminishing their chances to rope in the "audience". Lastly, well, they just look plain old silly. Now most of the time, I am the one that gets called out by these people, telling me that Satan is going to drag me to hell because of my sexually deviant and sinful acts. Last time I checked, I was a clean slate and my sins only include bearing false witness and having absolute pride.
Now I have my own beliefs just like anyone else on this planet. I believe that gaudy clear plastic stone jewelry makes a person look less desirable than they would if they worecubic zirconium. No matter what my beliefs may be, they will always be my beliefs. I can't make you believe something that isn't you, nor should I deceive an individual to persuade them. If that is not your cup of tea, I understand you may keep walking, but I'm going to strut my way.
