Recently on Facebook, a Friend made a comment about China. One of the people who replied to the comment used a derogatory term for the Chinese. I heard this term growing up, (there’s even a game named after it) and don’t think it should be used at all – especially in a public forum.

Well, I wrote this person (privately, of course) to ask her not to use such terms. She answered in the predictable way.

“I am a rational, God Fearing, Adult; and if I want to have moments of bigotry, then it is my decision to do so.”

However, later she tries to defend her bigotry:

“We are humans and not perfect!”

In my mind, these statements contradict themselves. If you are “God Fearing,” why are you hateful? I assume she is a Christian. Is this something Jesus would do? And it is true that we are all human and make mistakes, but a remark of bigotry is not a mistake. She herself said this was a “decision.” This not being perfect is an excuse used by many who claim to be Christian to defend their bad behavior.

Bigotry has nothing to do with religion, yet she tries to attack me to put me on the defensive:

“I am sure being an Atheist that you’ve made your fair share of wordy blunders yourself.”

Being God Fearing or an Atheist really has nothing to do with any of this. It is more about your mindset. Are you a hateful person or not? I have never used racists remarks and I try not to think in a hateful way toward anyone based on their color, race, or country of origin. It’s like Buddha said, it all starts with your thoughts. Actually, Jesus had something to say about it, too.

Of course, she began her rant with “I’d like to know where you come off correcting me.” Typical. I of course replied with what should be common sense to everyone… that good people cannot allow this type of behavior, otherwise how can ignorance be defeated?

If we allow bigots to continue using their hateful words, if we allow hate crimes to continue, if we do not try to work from a mindset of tolerance instead of hate, what type of world are we allowing to exist? Stand up! Tell those who use hateful words they are wrong.