The lines we draw

The lines that divide us only exist in our own minds. I have no quota on how many or what kind of people I can call cherished friend or valuable aquaintence. I do not see my religion or heritage as a safe place to huddle by only reaching out to those who share it. The autrocities that have happened in this world were led by a few evil men and followed through by the followers who believed in the lines or boundaries they were taught.

How many Germans felt trapped when the reality of their new world order sunk in? Probably many had no idea that children were burned, intelligent and loved human beings were beaten and valued less than cast off cattle. But when they did realize it did they still draw that line between themselves and the pitied but nonetheless inferior jew? That glow of humanity that gave them the gift of guilt, did it erase that line? Or was it only more confusing to know that the genocide of an entire people was wrong but unexplainably deserved as they'd been told and believed?

Prejudice, hate, war, genocide: only exisit because the majority allow fear a place in their heart. Fear of what is different and misunderstood. This fear is the father of the lines we draw.

We as a human race.
We as different nationalities and cultures.
We as Americans.
We as white skinned people.
We as conservative middle class country folk.
We as Utah christians.
We as Mormons.
Myself as wife, mother, friend, and thinking Vernal citizen.
Do these catagories draw lines that divide us?

Only if we believe they exist. I refuse to let that fear into my heart. I am no different from any other human who has lived before or who will live after me on this earth. Unique, yes. But no different in the eyes of God.