The world fears and hates all over the place; deeply, pathetically, violently.

But I’ve noticed one overarching theme in all this mess: people fear and hate that which will not, or that which they believe will not, leave them alone.

Right now (U.S. election time), there is a heated battle between Conservatives and Liberals. Why? Liberals think Conservatives want to take over, and vice versa. If that weren’t the case, it would just be two groups with differing views who would be content to leave each other alone. I think the same is true for Muslims and non-Muslims, with one side fearing the takeover from the other side. The added complication here is that there are quite a few prominent and conspicuous Muslims who are claiming that taking over is precisely what they intend to do, no matter what the cost in lives or destruction. I’m pretty sure they’re serious.

Personally, I’d like to live on a planet where everybody agrees with me, or where everybody is at least willing not to kill me if they disagree. Actually, I’d like more than that. Not only do I not want them to kill me, I’d like them to not threaten or intimidate me either. Maybe even treat me as something less than dirt or excrement. And I’d like them to be convinced that I don’t want to force them to do or think any particular way, as long as they are willing to leave me alone.

That means I’m willing to leave them alone, too. Is that isolationist?

I think there are peaceful people in the world. People like the Amish, who mostly just want to be able to live their life their way, without hurting anyone or being hurt. They’ve pretty much proved that in my book, by the way. I know I would have difficulty in forgiving a mass murderer of helpless children, but they’ve done it, and I don’t see any in their community trying to make money off of this recent horrendous tragedy either. What gives with them, I wonder? What do they have that most of the rest of the world doesn’t have? I think I know, but if I say it aloud, then I’ll be labeled and discounted, and a whole plethora of assumptions and presumptions will be made about me. Instead of maybe being listened too, I’ll be categorized and vilified or ignored. Not by everyone, of course, just those people who disagree with me and think I want to take over.