about making a little more love in the world...

Seriously, America. This has got to stop. The country is going to hell in a hand-basket, and it isn't because of a "breakdown of morals" or a "turning away from Jesus." Actually, I take that back. There is a serious shun of Jesus' teachings going on, and it's coming from a group as harmless-sounding as a "tea party." Here's my theory. Were Jesus around today, he'd be a healthcare-giving, gay-loving, anti-war SOCIALIST. But Anna! How can you say that!? Because HE WAS A HEALTHCARE-GIVING, GAY-LOVING, ANTI-WAR SOCIALIST WHEN HE WAS AROUND 2000 YEARS AGO. He kissed lepers and made them well. Not because he was a miracle-worker. Because he looked at people who were different, outcast, hated even, and said, "You are a human being who deserves to be loved and respected for who you are. You are not an abomination. You are a child of God."

We are burning through our natural resources, people are starving (not Americans, of course), we are chin-deep in unnecessary, un"win"able wars, and where are our priorities? Treating gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender individuals like a second class of people? Driving questioning teens to feel they have no option but death? Fighting (STILL) about whether a woman can make a decision about what to do with HER body? Keeping people from receiving proper healthcare? Shouldn't all of these things be no-brainers?

I'll go back to Jesus: LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR. Love them so hard it hurts. Love them a way you didn't know you could love. Love them BECAUSE they are different from you and you know they need it more. And while you're in the process, hug a tree.

2012? I doubt the world will end in a giant tidal wave. But if we aren't careful, it's going to end in fiery pit of hateful behavior. Get it together.