Holy Weekend.

Easter Sunday and the beginning festival days of Passover occur together this weekend. Given that both holidays seem to be conveniently set around the vernal equinox, Easter and Passover often  fall together. I am intrigued that both religions (disclosure: I'm a practicing Jew) claim a singular path to truth, yet if either are right, one religion must be wrong.

source: Wikipedia

A while back, my friend Victoria G. Marshall posted George Carlin's thoughts on God's most favored nations. Hint: Carlin doesn't think the God he doesn't believe in picks favorites. Like Carlin, my father in law is an atheist. My father in law, Cary claims his atheism because "too many people have died in the name of God." I have to grant Cary that point.

I believe the overwhelming majority of adherents to any of the world's religions are tolerant and inclusive. I believe there exists a virulent, parochial, exclusive and vocal minority within most religions which incorrectly claims to speak for all followers. I believe most follow religion as a path to enlightenment and tolerance. I believe that although I seek that path as a religion specific monotheist, others can find their path through a different religion or atheism, paganism, agnosticism or as a Wiccan. Belief is great, but it is each individuals acts that seals the deal.

I wish all celebrating Passover or Easter a weekend of meaning, clarity, enlightenment and tolerance. I wish everybody else the same for their weekend.

PEACE.

Marriage Equality Defeats Fear (at least today).

This past Friday night the New York State Senate passed a marriage equality bill allowing same sex couples all the rights of heterosexual couples while protecting the rights of religious groups to object to same sex marriage. I present a metaphorical "Gold Star of Excellence" on both counts. I further present a great big wet kiss to NY State Republican and Democratic Senators for coming together to make this piece of history happen. When walking in a blizzard, it's always easier to walk back in the footsteps that already exist. The NY State GOP Senators stepped further into the blizzard  that consumes their national caucus. Some brave individuals are going to be out in the cold for a long time for voting their conscience.

In further related news, the Chicago GLBT Pride parade this past Sunday was a huge success, despite vandalism of 51 floats the night before. I hope the vandals will be found and further hope these vandals will be charged with a hate crime.

Still, the combination of the two events was a huge victory over fear. Think about it:

• The 13th Amendment outlawing slavery was passed in 1864. Brown Vs. Board was decided in May, 1954. Still, 1n 1957 the Arkansas Governor ordered State Troopers to defend segregationists and block access to a public high school.
• Roe v. Wade was decided January, 1973.  To this day, anti-choice legislation and violence are abundant in the USA.

The battle for tolerance is far from over. There will still be violent acts of gay bashing on a far too regular basis. I am not dismissing a hate crime committed prior to a scheduled public event. Still, 24 hours after marriage equality was legalized in the state with the 3rd largest population the best some haters could do was slash tires over 700 miles away? So at least today (OK, Sunday):

TOLERANCE 1, FEAR 0