In here, we use labels a lot: Conservative,liberal,Republican, Democrat, Christian, Atheist. Labels are very attractive. They break a complex world down into manageable pieces. Reading the thread Conservative, Liberal or human being got me thinking about the people I most admire in my life. And, the labels that I could attach to them. And, how many friends I respect who I couldn't label because I never bothered to ask them their political or spiritual identification. It might be worth a few minutes of reflection for all of us to do this little excercise.
First of all, I'll label myself. I am Liberal Democrat who loves Jesus Christ. Christian is a label that works well when they're doing a national poll. My faith is much more than just a label.
o.k. That's who I am. Here are some of the people I most admire, love and respect:
Democrats: Joe, Frankie and Derrick in my gospel quartet, my wife, my parents and my two sons. I don't love and respect them because they're Democrats. Or liberals. I love them because they are wonderful, generous, loving people.
Republicans: When I think of all the people I've had the honor of calling "friend" in my life, three of the most outstanding people are all Republican. They are social activists, not just in word, but in hard work. In my work life, I worked with several people who were millionaires many times over. Three come immediately to mind who were as good as people get. I suspect that they were Republicans, but I don't know that to be a fact. I never asked, because it wasn't important to me.
Atheists: I could make a whole list here, starting with probably the closest friend I've had in my life, who is a revered Catter. From my work days, I was very close friends with someone who was raised Catholic, but has been an Atheist most of her adult life. Our differences in belief never created any problems for us. (I don't know if she is a Republican or Democrat.)
Agnostics: I can throw one of my sons in here, along with many Catter and non-catter friends.
Christians: 7 days a week: Joe, Frankie and Derrick from my quartet, my wife and many friends who try to live a Christ like life, and fall far short of the glory. On Mudcat, you can include Bobert, Khandu, Jeanie, Sian and many others.
Muslims: My two sons from my second marriage, who are both fine men.
So what does all of this say? What kind of a profile of good people can I draw? It seems clear to me that I can't use any of these labels. When I think of people I admire and respect, it is the way they LIVE that makes me appreciate them, whether it's Bill D, who I hardly know, jimmyt (who is a good man, even though he is a conservative Republican AND a dentist!) Art Thieme, who is an Atheist, and so many others in here who I don't know by label.
But, as Leadbelly said, we're all folks, sure enough. And we're in the same boat, brother.
Sometimes we have to row, sometimes we have to bail.
Labels have never helped me to keep the boat afloat.