This topic has all the potential to cross guidelines and feel threatening to many members here. I know that some groups have hard feelings towards others that they perceive as not accepting them. No matter whether you are a Christian or identify otherwise, please remember that however we classify people, each person is an individual, and may live up to the stated ideals of the groups they belong to, or may not. Some rise far above the standards of the group or reputation that the group may have.

The key, when recognizing diversity, is to appreciate the good and the benefit that comes from all different kinds of people from all kinds of places, cultures, religions, and experiences. The world would be a boring place if we were all the same. We can all learn so much from each other, and that is because we have different backgrounds and experiences.

Also, it always comes down to that we are more alike than we are different. When we sit down and get to know each other, we will find that I like chocolate and you like chocolate, or we both have some of the same frustrations with our children, or we all crave love and approval.

Be careful about generalizations. Whether you're talking about a minority group or a majority group doesn't matter. If you say that Christians are unaccepting of others, that is the same thing as saying that natives are dirty or pagans are evil. All of those statements are stereotypes and they are not fair.

Some Christians break commandments. So do non-Christians sometimes fail to live up to their values and ideals. Christianity does not justify that breaking commandments is acceptable, but recognizes that individuals in this life are not perfect.

Some groups have values and beliefs that conflict with those of other groups (or individuals). We can make an issue of it, or we can treat everybody with respect, even with awareness of our differences. We are all human.

(I used the quick reply feature, and these comments are not directed towards any one person).

Rapunzel