When I see "Atheists" saying that "religion" is the problem, they are often so short-sided they don't recognize the violence in their words.
Understanding and love aren't born out of uniformity, but out of acceptance of difference. That difference can lead to conflict, but we must believe in the rights and strength of difference. This is the core tenant of liberalism, a word that has taken quite a hit lately, but whose values I think are a cornerstone of Western civilization.
Understanding and acceptance is more than mere tolerance, but a celebration of difference.
That means loving someone who looks different than me, who worships differently, whose sexual orientation or relationship styles are different from mine, whose gender expression and maybe even concept of gender is different than my own.
We should celebrate the diversity, not tamp down on difference and demand that we all be the same.
