This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I continue to be bewildered (after 67 years) by those who presume to pass judgment on their fellow human beings, the so-called self-righteous.
We don't like Jews, we don't like African Americans, we don't like gays, we don't like liberals, we don't think girls should be educated, you must dress according to our rules, you cannot say that in our presence, women must obey men. The examples are endless, the punishments for defiance often egregious.
The source of such thinking is religion gone awry, both in the U.S. and around the world. Religion should be a personal and private matter not a means to control others.
I ask myself, why do you have interest in who I love, what my skin color is, what my religious beliefs are, what I chose to wear.If I do not break the law, if I do not hurt anyone, if I stay out of your life, why would you possibly care about mine?
If you don't agree with my ideas, face me like a mensch and maybe we can discuss. Take a moment or two, think for yourself. If you don't like me the way I am, stay away, you will do both of us a favor.
We have all heard of and/or seen the mob mentality in action. It never ends well.
Rose Bauman
Sandy