It is ok to not be like me.

Israeli police have arrested three Jews in the murder of Muhammed Abu Khdeir, the 16 year old Arab Israeli. They are being called “extremists” by some media oulets. Let’s call them what they are: terrorists. They are no different than members of Hamas or ISIS. They murder innocents and it disgusts me. Now that I have said that: I honestly believe that a grand majority of Arabs and Israelis want peace. They are not going out and killing people, throwing rocks, shooting rockets. They are living their lives, going to work, raising their kids etc. They have no desire to murder anyone because they are not the “right” faith. They shop, work, eat next to people who believe vastly different things…and are ok with it.

The people who scare me are the ones who have no tolerance for anyone who is not like them.  It is OK that someone worships differently. It is perfectly acceptable if someone prays five times a day. I don’t and that is also OK. If someone wants to worship the sidewalk in front of their house, that is not my business. If someone is in love with someone who is of the same sex as them, that is fine with me. If they are living their lives and are happy and not forcing their beliefs on others, what is the problem?

The people I admire in the world are those who are not afraid to stand up and say “It is OK to be different. It is OK to be you”. I hope and pray that more people will stand up and say this with me.