What I Believe About Rights, Dignity, and Conversation
Read This!
I love you.
I may not know you personally, but I still love you.
How?
Because, as Thomas Aquinas said…
To love is to will the good of the other.
That’s what I want for you — only good.
I want nothing but the best for you — even if we disagree.
If you don’t “get” that about me, then you don’t understand me. At all.
Since I love to talk about faith, philosophy, culture, and ideas…I often venture into sensitive issues. And sometimes, I may express my views with conviction. This can stir up emotion. So, let me be abundantly clear on where I stand…
I affirm the dignity of every person. Regardless of race, creed, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, beliefs, background, or status — you matter. You are valuable. You are worthy of respect.
I condemn all hate, bigotry, and violence. Period. No qualifications. No excuses.
I support everyone’s civil rights, including freedom of thought, freedom of belief, and freedom of conscience. You have the right to believe or not believe, to worship or not worship, to practice faith or not to practice at all. That’s your right, and I will defend it.
I affirm the dignity of those who disagree with me.
There is no “but” to any of this. No hidden clause. No exception.
Other than…
I’m human.
I have good days and bad days, just like you. And I can get frustrated or defensive, just like you. But…
I still want only the best for people, including you. So…
If I disagree with you, I do so as someone who affirms your dignity and wishes you well. And when I speak, I do so with the conviction that my voice belongs in the public square every bit as much as yours does.
That’s how a free society works. At least, that’s how it should work.
Thank you for reading!
✍️ Follow me here on Medium for more
📖 Check out my latest book: Thou Shalt Not Kill: The Ancient Commandment We Dare Not Break
