I'm not sure if I'll be on track with this, my first post in the group, but one thing I have always found disturbing is the casual and over use of labels to define our friends and acquaintances, sometimes people we don't even know.
I've never liked them, when it comes to clothing for instance I often find that the people develop pretenses and feel ever so important as they've just gotten that brand new "Tommy Hilfiger" shirt and a greatly reduced price, it makes them feel far too self-important for their own good!!!! I've seen people wearing the most hideous technicolour yawn designs, which of course cleared out due to bad taste, and they've been totally changed as they think they've achieved some level of importance in the world by wearing a product which is nothing less than vulgar advertising.
People - How many do you know that refer to others who have different beliefs, religions, or points of view who are labeled and negatively implicated in some conspiratorial plot to overtake the world?
I've always hated labels, I find that they rob us of our individuality, and think that they do more harm than good, are we so intellectually bankrupt that we can no longer think on our own without using them in our daily lives?
To make my point I will relate this following true experience which occurred just prior to my return to Asia last autumn.Of course, you will firstly have to bear with me as I would like to introduce the circumstances and some background.
Malaysia, where I have chosen to reside in the winter is nearby Bangkok, the Gemstone Trading Capital of the World, and I could go there, and often do, but I prefer the quiet and peaceful nature of this country which is Labeled Muslim.
Needless to say, I live amongst a population of predominantly Muslim practitioners. It doesn't bother me, and I don't care as I've found in the course of my lifetime that we must share the space we exist in with many people who believe in things that vastly differ from our own points of view. Tolerance - Do unto others as they would do to you, none of them are rushing out to convert me from the Free Thinking, Pagan, Buddhist that I am, and that suits me just fine!!! Although, many have asked me my religion my response above often confuses them and they walk away, I don't bother to explain when they appear miffed as I think I'm part of a much larger universal reality.
I'm am not, nor do I ever want to be labeled!!!
I was with a few friends one day having a coffee down the street and enjoying the beautiful day and the accompanying small chat that came with it, along came an acquaintance who for no reason whatsoever began to accost me as being a Muslim Sympathizer - his justification was that I lived in a Muslim country, one of my friends in this nearby shopping outlet was Muslim and we were friends, and the fact that I loved Malaysia. I was quite offended by his unwarranted attack on me, and asked my friend for his hand-phone, he asked why, I'm calling the police, this is a HATE-CRIME, the accoster scrambled to his car and drove off furious at me never to be seen again. Thankfully I thought, I do hate losing my temper, but this type of labeling and rampant ignorance really twists my tit:) (sorry it's a very painful young lad's joke) Starting like this, "What's worse than a Hurricane" and then the demonstration with another weather phenomena, the TWISTER, which hurts like hell. Well sorry for the aside.
Fact of the matter is, I am tolerant, I believe well-educated and brought up in a civilized country - mind you not everyone in any country necessarily behaves or acts in a civil manner.
When I was a young pup in high school, I lived in a small town on the St Lawrence Seaway in Ontario, in the mid- 70's. As you can well imagine, small towns in rural settings have small town ideals, conservative thoughts and of course ignorance in abundance - they think one way and one way only so that anything different causes them to react in a very uncomplimentary manner.
One day we had a new student in our class, he was BLACK, he was from New York, and oh lest I forget, he was extremely effeminate. As random chance had it he sat in front of me. Being I think a civilized person I spoke with him and found out all of the above without judgment. But, in the back of my I secretly wondered, "how long will he last here?" He was obviously far too different from the rest of us, and of course, he was after all BLACK!!!! I think only part of his problem. People are cruel, they judge and label others without consideration of their right that are part of this world and have some contribution to make to it. Well, it was a bout a week, and one day the desk in front of me was once again empty. Sadly, I wondered and felt pity for this poor guy, and pray that his life worked out well fro him. He didn't stand a chance in that backwoods environment which was intolerant not only of change, but acceptance of anything which would alter their cozy little "We're White and we're Alright World." This in my opinion was a gross human injustice, he was judged, labeled and condemned all with one breath. Shameful!!!
One of my favourite TV shows, Seinfeld: I have known someone all my life who holds prejudices - a brief list will follow in order of chronological order:
1) Never marry a Catholic - you'll have to convert and your life will be ruined
"Most of my best friends throughout this lifetime have been Catholics"
2) You know Seinfeld is a Jew
" He makes me laugh, I won't condemn for his beliefs"
3) He's not a nice man, "You know he's been divorced"
"He is my neighbour, an outstanding friend who cares for his Mother, Sister and 3 Sons and, perhaps the nail in his coffin, he is Catholic"
4) "Gay people should not get married, it's against God's will"
"If two people love each other, who cares, they aren't sleeping with me, molesting me, so let them be" How does that hurt you? Why must you hate something because you don't understand it?"
5) "They should never be able to adopt children" It's just wrong"
"What's wrong with it? Why shouldn't they? How is love different for a child regardless of the sex of the parents? If the child receives a good home, loving parents and care what more could we ask?"

I find these examples not only discriminatory but a sad reflection on humanity which needs to change, can we not just accept all beings as part of this earth and part of our world without categorizing them?

A colloquialism I absolutely detest: "Ignorance is Bliss"
NO it's not, it's ignorance, it limits your life, and blinds you to the beauty of life and all of the differences in people that make us expand and grow our consciousness, improve our tolerance and advance the cause of civilization.

Labels - I find they limit our growth as a civilization, they hurt individual real people who have as much right as we do to exist.

I avoid Labels at all costs - there are good and bad people in this world, it is an undeniable fact. to label someone for their political, religious, lifestyle beliefs or the colour of their skin is a CRIME against humanity, and deserves punishment!!!

These are facts and some of my opinions which merely reflect my tolerance and participation in this world.

I sincerely hope that I have not offended anyone or that this, my first post in this group is in any way out of line.

Thank you