Thinking and Persecution

There has been much persecution in the history of our world caused by various hates for various people and subjects. Great thinkers have been called heretics and put to death by corrupt religious and governmental organizations. Great prophets have been stoned to death by rabid, bloodthirsty mobs and even by corrupt governments. The pendulum has swung back and forth, every which way, but that is NO EXCUSE for persecution. The LDS church has never been guilty of persecution as a whole or in direct obedience to leadership. If members have ever been guilty of persecuting anyone at any point, it has NEVER been condoned by leadership. Rabid "Mormons Gone Wrong" have been the worst offenders of reading literature and junk internet information full of name-calling and laughable logical fallacies. Unfortunately, more recently, I've witnessed some Southerner friends attempting to appear unbiased and on the side of informed, intelligent thought-processes. My grandma was an Oaky and hated LDS people and passed that on to some of my family. It has been disheartening seeing some of my own family part of perpetuating continuing ignorance and persecution.

Why has there been such persecution? At best because of ignorance (varying degrees between accidental and willful), at worst because of premeditated evil.

Not much I can do about premeditated evil, except living a good life, treating my neighbors, friends and even enemies with love and respect. Also, teaching my children to treat others with love and respect because we're children of God. And, of course, simply trying to share information with those who aren't aware of it already in my attempt to expose evil for the stark-naked truth. Although just a blog, throwing the information out in cyberspace is my most promising outlet for the moment. Through the last year, trying to share information has been challenging! Friends have become offended because they feel that by sharing information, I'm saying they're ignorant...as if that is the worst thing they could be! If we can't admit our ignorance and seek learning, then when does the learning START?! We're all ignorant of something! I was surprised at the amount of pride revealed by the offense. My tendency to take so much to heart, I started wondering if people were reacting to me (my education level, my position in life, etc.). Maybe people would rather listen to a scientist, politician, church leader, or anyone who is distant enough from them in socioeconomic position. My suggestion is that perhaps throwing out information on a blog will do more good than presenting information on facade-book to my friends, acquaintances and family ever did.