I am a lifelong New Yorker. An American. I love New York. I believe in my town.
Here, if you fall down, someone will always come to help because that’s the kind of people we are.
We accept everyone and all beliefs. We live with all types of nationalities and religions and we accept others for who they are. We are the majority!
Every religion and race has its bad. We cannot let a few hateful people cause us to condemn any religion or race. The same blood, organs and breath are in all of us, no matter where you’re from, or what your beliefs.
The stories we read are from a few people who are angry and hateful. We usually see the negative and bad because it’s simply more interesting than the good. If you needed a blood transfusion or organs to survive, after a car accident would you ask what religion or race the person was who is giving you life? Would you refuse a kidney or possible a heart if the donor was of a different religion or color?
Here are a few religion basics:
All three religions have many commonalities; the main one is the 10 Commandments, Christians, Jews and Muslims all have similar 10 Commandments. Nowhere is it said to love only your own kind.
These values were all brought from other countries by our decedents for us to practice as Americans.
I was taught to love one another, not a specific type or group of people.
The seventh day is the day of rest, or Sabbath; Sunday for Catholics, Saturday for Jews and Muslims.
As Christians, we kneel. The Muslims bow and the Jews gently sway during prayer to show their reverence.
As a Catholic, growing up, I would wear a covering on my head while going to church. Our sisters (nuns) wear a similar covering over their head as the Muslim women wear, the showing of reverence and respect, for their religion. The Jews also wear a covering on their heads.
I believe it is obvious we are all doing the same thing… just trying to live and breathe! Love and kindness takes less energy than hate! Conserve your energy and learn to love.
If you don’t like someone’s religion, that’s OK; just move on with your own religion. But above all, please just breathe!
Let’s not be afraid to educate one another on the aspects of our own religion, since they are all meant for kindness, respect, compassion, and love. When an officer is killed in New York, we all reflect and become heartbroken, because we all know that he or she is one of us — just a human being with hopes and dreams as Americans. We stand together without regard for each other’s religion or race.
No one has ever left this world alive. We are only here for a short time. Let’s not waste this time since time is not promised to any of us.
This is my holiday wish.
Eileen Miller RN MS
New York State Chaplain
Bayside Hills
