Respect, itself, is dying.

A slow and painful death occurred recently, http://www.npr.org/2010/12/10/131978052/famous-christian-landmark-tree-cut-down-in-u-k , when a landmark tree outside of London was vandalized and all of its limbs were cut from the body of the tree, and left to waste. Some may say,” It’s just a tree.” Others will pay no attention at all. Some will go seemingly too far and cry for the loss of a miracle that was yearly harvested for thistles to adorn the royal Christmas table in London, England.

What I morn is the respect such an entity is entitled to, and was so blatantly stolen away. Whether we are discussing the Christian aspect of the history of the tree, the idolatry of the Egyptian culture and the great Pyramids, the rock used for Muhammad’s ascension (Dome of the Rock), any of the thousands of Buddha’s throughout southeast Asia, all of these and more are icons, yes. But they deserve not necessarily worship, but most certainly Respect.

And why? Why should you, me, or anyone else show respect to “pagan” idols, farcical icons, faded and tattered images of the past?

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Beauty, something else dying away and lacking in respect.

When a monk, priest, cleric, pastor, rabbi, see the writings of their faith, it is gibberish to some and priceless to them. Who are any of us to judge a rock, a tree, a stone, a parchment, and place a value on it above or below any other thing? Why am I so special that if my car gets damaged at the mall shopping for gifts, that mine is more important than you and your endeavors?

One thing, “tis the season to be jolly.” This is Christmas, a Christian holiday, hugely shared the world over as a magical time of peace, joy and goodwill… for many reasons. Chopping up trees, landmarks, icons, symbols, is hardly the way spread anything good, much less goodwill.

Two, be respectful and considerate of others. It is a good tenet to live by, and is generally expected from us of others. We would expect consideration, we should grant such consideration. It is worth the time and energy required of us, and rewarded over and over again.

Lastly, this is not about me. This is about us. My car was not vandalized, nor was I disrespected in any way. This is Me talking to everyone including Myself to remind us all, no matter how much that nattery old church in Kansas might be evil for protesting funerals, of all things, they will have to live with themselves for that and are not worthy of our attention: positive or negative. Yes, “terrorism” might exist in the world, but Muhammad down the street has done nothing to you. You may not believe in God or Christ, but that has never been any excuse to trample on the rights of those who do. I’ve seen enough demeaning of Christians lately, from the “learned Scholars of Higher Education.” I’ve had my fill. They can no sooner convince me of their beliefs than I can convince them of mine, why try?

But, we can all be Respectful of one another, quite easily.

So, in the “spirit” of Common Sense, I would ask of you Reflection. Ponder the concept of Respect: what it means? What it is? How it exists in your life? And is there enough? Not only respect FOR you, but also FROM you. And do others have respect for each other? It is a very telling thing, Respect. How it is given and taken can convey a wealth of information to those who will only open their eyes.