Do we worry too much about things that don't concern us?

This question comes about from an observation from both atheists and religious leaders alike. I saw both cases trying to impose their views on other people who didn't share the same beliefs. With television shows like Family Guy and The Cleveland show, you can see episodes where some characters will shun those who believe in God, poke fun, and patronize them. Then on the other extreme you see religious people not following Jesus' true teachings of acceptance and tolerance when they shun gay couples and object to their right to marriage. Sometime we have to ask ourselves the simple question: in what ways do some thing directly affect my life.

Does a gay couple really affect your livelihood in such a way that it impacts your day to day living, your job promotion, your home life? The answer for most who think it does might be: well I just don't want to see it. To not see something is to not pay attention to it. Their love lives are not of your business just as yours is none of theirs. Their union will never affect you, just as your marriage to your partner or your relationship doesn't directly affect theirs.

The same goes for religious beliefs. Whether or not someone chooses to believe in something, just because you oppose it, doesn't mean it really affects your life. You have your beliefs and they have theirs. It's when those beliefs start being imposed on others especially political decisions that's when things present a direct impact. For instance, when Romney says he will cut off federal funding for abortion clinics and federally funded programs like Planned Parenthood all because he believes that abortion is wrong. A young teenage girl or college student in Minnesota, Texas, New York, California who does not have the financial means to care for a baby or a significant other to support her does not directly affect Romney in any other way but it will significantly affect a girl who cannot pay for the full cost of an abortion. 

We all make decisions about what we want to concern ourselves with but we need to understand that sometimes we can care about irrelevant information which has no direct impact on our lives. Caring about a celebrity's pregnancy when they don't know who you are or invite you to their wedding shouldn't be something that takes one of the top priorities in your life. It may be hard because of all the media obsession with celebrities but you have to make that decision on yourself. Issues involving social justice, our political leaders making decisions which will affect our future, and things that impact you and your loved ones directly are the things that should be taking top priority. When you obsess over something, make sure it does something to change you, your loved ones, your society, and your nation for the better. 

Dear America: What kind of country do you want to live in?

Food for Thought #JIB
@JusticeisBliss1