Breathe In Your Morning Air

So after my post earlier today, the Gospel this evening at Mass dealt with pride. The passage read, Luke 18:9-14, describes a scene where a Pharisee and a tax collector go to the temple for prayer. The holier-than-thou Pharisee prays, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity...'

Now, those of you who know me, know I'm definitely an elitist. Not as far as my religion (I at least don't imagine that I am better than others for their religious beliefs, just that some religious beliefs make less sense than others), but in general. And I am very judgmental--but almost exclusively of hypocrites or people who don't use the minds God gave them to challenge anything. At least that's what I try to limit myself to.

Not that this justifies it. At all. But that's my rationale.

I speak out and argue not to tear a person down. I argue to break down their argument, and test their intellectual ability to examine their own views in a critical light. Not simply "oh this is what liberals think" or "oh this is what my parents think" or "this is what my priest thinks". But to really examine where their ideas came from, and to challenge them to support their ideas with reason.

Not that I'm always reasonable, because I'm definitely not. But I do contemplate my reasoning, and try to at the very least understand it. And for whatever reason, I often feel compelled to challenge others to do the same, because I feel it isn't done enough.

This doesn't make me many friends. I'm okay with that.

I am a hypocrite. I am judgmental. I'm sure I always will be. I'm human. At least I acknowledge my flaws. And when I'm the one getting put in my place (especially by scripture), I at least take the time to look at what's really going on.

On a completely unrelated note...tonight I carved my pumpkin!