Disagreements

I don't dislike people who disagree with me.

But I do dislike people who tell me that I dislike people who disagree with me, because I don't. Okay, I don't really dislike them, either. That would be rude. And I certainly don't get all defensive about it when someone implies that I don't like people who disagree with me and then go and write a whole blog post ranting about it or anything, either. Because that would be ridiculous.

Okay, maybe I do and maybe I would.

Perhaps because I'm passionate about what I do believe, and am not afraid to blog about it, there exists in some folks a notion that I do not like folks who disagree with me about those beliefs.

I disagree!

Without a doubt, I do not dislike people who disagree with me! (Or, at least, I don't not like people just because they disagree with me.)

I like having friends with different beliefs than my own. They are the spice of life. I'd rather eat a meal of a dollop of mashed potatoes with chicken strips and ranch dressing and cheesecake than I would a giant plate of just mashed potatoes.

But you don't have to like chicken strips and ranch dress to be my friend. Heck, you don't even have to be a Christian or hold a politically conservative stance like I do. I like respectful differences. I will say, I have a dislike for rudeness, so if you don’t like what I talk about on my blog, then... gasp... STOP READING. Novel concept, I know.

The last thing I wish for my blog to be is some kind of worship fest where everyone who reads is in love with everything I do. Besides, I'd much rather that you worshipped my Lord than that you revered me. For, as much as I say I don't care if you share a difference of opinion, I'd be lying through my teeth if I said I wasn't hoping to point you to Jesus. For even if you don't believe in Him, I do and I know He can change your life if you let Him.

But, even if you don't believe that and never will, I still value your opinion and want you here. I don't think you are a terrible person. I don't wish death upon you and your household. (Talk about mean... THAT would be mean.)

Maturely stated differences in opinion, stated out of love? I don't see those nearly as often as I'd like.

Cowardly attacks on my character, shared anonymously? Take a hike. And, thankfully, most of them have.

The same thing irritates me about staunch Obama haters, even some I am very close to. In my opinion, it is one thing to be absolutely repulsed by his stance on abortion and appalled by where he would like to take health care in our country (both of which I am not ashamed to say that I am), but it is quite another to have dislike for the person himself or to talk badly about him. Even some conservative talk radio show hosts, whose political stances I have much admiration for, go over the top with Obama hatred in my opinion. It's unflattering and does not serve their purpose well to President bash. Honestly, I think it makes them seem pretty shallow and close-minded.

Like attracts like. Naturally, the people who come to my blog will probably be my familywomen, maybe even students. Maybe even life long Texans. I hope that people who love Jesus will be at home on my blog as well.

So, please go find somewhere else to spread hate if all you want to be is a mindless Negative Nelly who disagrees with everything I say just because I'm me.

Yes, I'll be your friend even if you voted for Obama. Will you still respect me if I tell you that I didn't? Yes, I'll be your friend if you are an Aggie. Yes, I'll like you even if you hate Celine. After all, if tolerance of all religions and skin colors and assorted differences is really where it's at, as is so "politically correct" to believe, will you be tolerant of my beliefs even if they are different than yours?

And now let's all join hands and sing Kumbaya. Much better.