Then the article moved on to discuss a play I really like, Angels in America, which I read my first year at college.
In one telling scene a gay man with AIDS named Prior is helped to the hospital by a Mormon woman named Hannah. As they wait for the nurse, the man confesses that he believes he had a vision of an angel, and Hannah responds:
Hannah: "One hundred and seventy years ago, which is recent, an Angel of God appeared to Joseph Smith in upstate New York, not far from here. People have visions."
Prior: "But that's preposterous, that's ... "
Hannah: "It's not polite to call other people's beliefs preposterous. He had great need of understanding. Our prophet. His prayer made an angel. The angel was real. I believe that."
Prior: "I don't. And I'm sorry but it is repellent to me. So much of what you believe."
Hannah: "What do I believe?"
Prior: "I'm a homosexual. With AIDS. I can just imagine what you ... "
Hannah: "No you can't. Imagine. The things in my head. You don't make assumptions about me mister, I won't make them about you."
That's what I try to walk around with in my head: You don't make assumptions about me mister, I won't make them about you.
I think my favorite job to date was Balloon Animal Twister in Denny's, here in Austin. For one, I made 3 times more money at it then I do teaching. For another, I offered my "talent" to everyone, without discrimination, and I really didn't care if they gave me money or not. It made people happy. I did this job for 4 days, two Saturdays and two Sundays and I observed America. Poor and middle class individuals and families of every race, religion, and status. The least likely man, a bearded motorcycle guy, gave me the best tip. A cool teenager who wore my jester hat ironically was inspired to learn the "art" himself when I told him how much I was making an hour. People were nice to me.
People are nice.
So I guess Mitt Romney, that wishy washy Mormon guy, is gonna run for president? Such a waste of money. Also:
Whether a candidate is Mormon, Muslim, Pentecostal, Catholic, Jewish, any other religion, or no religion at all is not grounds in itself for judgment about the commitments or character of a candidate. Like race or cultural background, to vote, or not vote for someone based on religion is prejudice, pure and simple. Remember the Mormon mother's words: "You don't make assumptions about me Mister, and I won't make them about you."
3 Brilliant Bits of Inspiration:
Love this post :) I couldn't agree more.
Great post.
I'm not LDS, but I may vote for MR. A candidate's religion only matters to me in so far as I do prefer a candidate who believes in some form of "cosmic justice" that they themselves will have to answer to. I don't want someone who thinks that in being President, they are the most powerful force in existence and as long as they don't get caught by Congress or the media, they can truly "get away" with anything.
You're right, it isn't good to make many assumptions about someone, good or bad, based on their church (or what have you) membership; certainly it is foolish to tell someone else what they believe based on such a thing. One CAN cite what official church teaching is, but they should do so by going to the source, not citing a mocking critic's interpretation of it.
Oh, and for many years I had a job in which I was able to perform a humble service for people from all walks of life, all nationalities, etc. I didn't care their status or background, with the exception of doing what I could to accommodate anyone with an apparent disability. I always tried to provide excellent, helpful, and courteous service, and if they were having a bad time and as a result were getting hostile with me, I tried to make things better for them, even if all I could do was let them vent and give them my sympathy. Sometimes, that was enough.
Thanks much
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