It saddens me to see people living in basically the most privileged, rich countries in the world and they can still find something to complain about. I find a lot of the times people complain about 'society' and 'the man' and how it hates people like them, I find that they really have no reason to complain. They're just lazy, in a way. If you want society to accept you as an individual, that can be done without conforming.
My faith is radical in the way that it calls of me to live without certain indulgences of the world like hate and being self-centered. While our society seems to love these practices, that does not mean that I have to conform to them to fit in.
Why I am not wholly rejected is a matter of respect, I think. I would not be abandoning my beliefs if I lived by myself, and I'm not abandoning my beliefs because I respect what others are trying to do.
It's a matter of respect, of the Golden Rule. The second part of the greatest commandment (the first being love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind) is love your neighbor as yourself. Despite the fact that your neighbor might hate you. It's matter of showing love to your enemies. Doing without 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth'. It's more of a, 'when your enemy hits your left cheek, present him with your right.'
Back on topic, the reason people that feel the need to complain about their country and society in general is that they don't put enough energy forth to present themselves well, have a positive attitude and respect others. It's kind of convoluted that people think they are so entitled that people are going to show them respect with nothing put out from them.
So, even though their are some terrible terrible thing going on in this world, that doesn't mean that everything is happening to you. Someone called you a name? Somebody's son probably just died from malnutrition. Or AIDS. Or a bomb shell.
And what's even more shocking is the fact that people seem to think that not fitting into society is the norm. It's just something people do. I really fear for this generation (I don't know if it's hypocritical- seeing as I'm 14). But really- consumerism seems to encourage people to try to get as far away from society as possible, and encourages the behavior. But where does that get us?
Okay, that's my speech, rant, whatever. I'm 14, Christian, and a Social Conservative if you haven't picked it up.
