Beliefs, religions and judgments are a reality in our world that causes conflicts amongst different groups. Personally I am raised as a catholic but I have also been taught about other religions throughout the world. Groups of individuals tend to stick together when they share common beliefs and judge every other belief that does not match their own. Different beliefs, and religions is a part of being a human being, a part of finding out who we are as individuals. I react strongly to when individuals are so narrow minded and judgmental to any other form of belief. I remember when I was talking to a friend and I started expressing some of my beliefs to her. She looked at me like I was mental and told me that I was wrong to believe such thoughts and how much she could not understand why I felt this way. Honestly beliefs are personal and I really try to be open minded and understanding to individuals who express different beliefs from mine.
Conflict based on different beliefs is portrayed in the story Pharisees and Jesus. The Pharisees were a Jewish group that had strong beliefs and any individual who did not follow the Pharisees rules were considered unworthy. Jesus considered every human being equal and welcomed even the individuals considered unworthy in the Pharisees eyes. In this story conflict would have occurred between Jesus and the Pharisees because of their different views on faith. Jesus was an extraordinary man who is a major role model in my life today. Jesus did not judge others based on their religions or whether they followed the rules of his faith. The Pharisees did not like the fact that Jesus welcomed the unworthy and unclean individuals, which then caused tension and conflict between them and Jesus.
When I read stories like the Pharisees and Jesus I try and consider what I would do in that situation. I cannot actually know for a fact what I would do in these situations but I hope I would be like Jesus. Beliefs and religions do distinguish human beings as specific different individuals but that does not make any individual or belief better then the other. Jesus loved the Pharisees but he also loved those who were considered unworthy to the Pharisees. This story is as simple as comparing to high school. There are cliques and groups throughout high school and individuals ignore and are rude to those who are not in their clique. Human beings are created equal and we should help others whether they have the same beliefs and values as us or not.
As an individual when I look at myself I see my looks, interests, and achievements. I am passionate about music, I played piano for 10 years, have been dancing for 8 years, love singing and just listening to music. Music is a major part of who I am as an individual. I have other interests that I could list for hours but when I look at my passions and myself I automatically think of music. When my uncle died I didn’t want to socialize or do much. I spent hours and hours lying in my bed listening to music because music helped me personally deal with his death. Grief is a hard fact in life and music was my relief from reality. Music is extremely powerful for me and is what I turn to when I am angry, upset, stressed, or just really happy. When I look at myself as an individual I see my passions and my achievements. I have achieved honors in all my classes, have received dance awards and my grade 6 royal conservatory and grade 1 theory. These are only a short list of achievements that I am proud of in my life. I have always been told to be the best individual possible and when I look at myself I want to look at the positive parts of my life and hope that God also sees those positive.