It divided brother agensts brother.

It divided brother agent’s brother.

Most people view the American civil war as the start of a long battle for the freedom of blacks. I know there were a lot of political, social, and economic issues that played into it, but let’s just stick with the liberation of a race of people. So what made one brother fight agents another brother? What divided the family so that they were literally fighting each other? Fighting to the death.

I can only imagine that the dinner table conversations started out about normal things. They could talk about the neighbors, that year’s crops, the dog, and then the school teacher. And then they always turn to politics.

I really wonder, did they argue about the blacks having rights or not. Was some good Christian person standing there arguing with there brother that blacks were worthless and were only good as slaves. Did someone actually take that argument, and get to the point that they would want to kill their own family members because they believed that black people should be or not be free.

They didn’t kill over it, but people used to argue that women were worthless and were not smart enough to vote.

And now, here in our time, people actually argue that we need to limit people’s rights. I recently have watched the divide of my family start to grow. A few years ago, and probably more than a few now, my family was pretty close. We would get together and talk, play games, and talk politics. But that was a happy time. A time when most of us were young and still hadn’t defined ourselves as the individuals we are now.

Not all of us are religious. Right now I think it is 50/50 of my family. 3 are less religious, and 3 are more religious. One of those is fence sitting. And then there are my parents. It is interesting, that the 3 that are becoming less and less religious are actually being driven away from the rest because they are more liberal in their views.

I now have seen the argumentative nature of people grow to the point that divorces are happening. I have seen it come to the point where one time close family members will not talk to each other. I have seen it come to the point where the threat has been given where one person will not allow another into their home if they do not hide their views from plane sight.

The issues, democrat or republican. Pro life or pro choice, and that is an overly simplification of the very complex issue. Gay rights, or to protect the safety and the sanctity of the marriage.

I know there is a very big deference between the civil war, and today. The issue of slavery or gay rights. But lets face it, they are both equal rights issues, just to a different type of people. I personally do not think that everyone choices to be gay. Maybe there are some that like the headaches that you get from it, but I personally think it is the way we are made. I know that you can be born with depression and mental health issues. Myself I was born that way. I also know that I was born with learning difficulties.

I know some people are born with the gift to do complex math in their head. Some people can write, and others cannot. Some people can paint, and I myself cannot draw a line. Some people like blue, and others black.

I believe that the difference between a gay person and a straight person is pretty much the same as someone that likes different colors. I am sure it is more complex than that, but it really is a matter of preference. What do you like? I like gadgets, good books, and movies. I could live without all of these things, but it wouldn’t be the best of lives. I like girls, but I think I could live without them. (LOL) If I was gay I am sure I could force myself to live the life of a straight person, but the quality of my life would not be the best that it could be. Yea, someone could pretend to be straight, they have done it in the past. But why would we limit the possibility of other people’s happiness just because we think it is sinful. If it is at the free will of both parties, and is not endangering the well being of another, then what is wrong with it? A gay person is not the same as a child molester or rapist. Just because I like women, does not make me a rapist.

Let’s say that that lifestyle is a sin, like a lot of people believe. Who are we to force our beliefs on them? If we want to believe it is a sin, then we can do that. By why should we tell other people that believe differently that they are sinning, maybe they do not see it that way.

I could go on and on with this subject. But I just wanted to say, I think I now know how brother fought agent’s brother. I have watched something that is relatively unimportant, divide a family into halves. The fear that the family will fall apart is doing the damage, not the issue that is feared. I do not think that the world will end if we tolerate the god made difference in another person.

I have seen the threat of it do more damage to the family then the issue itself could ever do. This is indeed, very sad and in my opinion very needless.