(originally posted on facebook)

I’m not a religious person, but I do try to respect the beliefs of those around me, and I don’t ever want to diminish someone else’s faith.

But when I see someone that flouts their religion, cites virtues, and attacks others in ways contrary to their supposed beliefs, I see an inexcusable hypocrisy.

And I don’t believe that a lack of faith, or belief in an afterlife means that there is no reason to be a good person. I believe that gives us a greater responsibility to make the world a better place – both for those with us now, and for those that follow us.

I originally posted the above on Instagram where I was limited for space if I wanted to keep it to one slide. I said above that I’m not religious, but I still have a lot of respect for those that sincerely dedicate their lives to guiding and bettering humankind. What initially prompted me last night was seeing that at least a second pastor had been peppered by ice.

Children have been zip-tied, and now I’m seeing that children were tear-gassed on their way to a Halloween party this past weekend. If that’s “collateral damage”, that doesn’t make it any less horrifying.

How can anyone justify this behavior? The fact it is happening, and thus far without any meaningful consequences is appalling, and a stain on this country. And now in addition to people being scared of leaving their homes, many are afraid of not being able to eat or worse, not being able to feed their children.

I’m as angry as I’ve ever been, and I feel useless. I like to think that I don’t hate frivolously, so when I do say I hate, I truly mean it. I may not believe in a hell, but there are some people for whom I won’t be disappointed if there is one. And no, a presidential pardon or Nobel peace prize wouldn’t let you buy your way out of that trip.