I'm Ugly and I'm Proud!

Anyone remember that line from Spongebob? Or am I the only one that was childish enough to watch it? For this last blog post, I wish to write something so simple to us, yet it's just as foreign. Being content with yourself. I've learned this past week, and really this past semester, that I am not ideal. I'm not even close to where I thought I was (self-detrimental humor sucks sometimes). I've understood that I'm not perfect for as long as I can remember, but I'm starting to know that I'm not perfect. And to be honest, some of that may be on BYU...

We are told by Paul himself that we can have all that the Father has; we are joint heirs with Christ. I remember this quote from Elder Christofferson, and I'm paraphrasing, "Humility is not the same thing as humiliation." Of course we want to cement who we are, as we are always told here at every BYU devotional, every Sunday, and even in our classes. I remember sacrament meeting a few weeks ago, someone said that if we are commanded to love our neighbor as ourself, and we treat everyone with kindness, why don't we treat ourselves like we treat them?

Hence the blog title, I believe in traditional, morals, the whole nine yards. Tradition is how people find themselves, and how they start to know who they are. One talk I heard by Jack Christensen said "you think you know him [Christ], but you don't". It's okay to not know something. Just because we may know something or everything, it doesn't make us right. That was one insight I had this week.

Here are a few of my other recent realizations:

1. History does not repeat itself. People serving their beliefs and desired outcomes repeat what people in history have shown us will fail.

2. It's easier to destroy something than to create it. Mankind thinks we progress by finding something to knock down or destroy.

3. From NCIS: "Always let the suspect draw his own conclusions"

Peace. I'm out.

P.S. Don't be me and procrastinate this last MCOM assignment. All-nighter!

The Evolution of Tradition

Is that possible? Can tradition evolve from what it once was?

I heard a quote just within the past two hours: "I've been so busy looking at the chess board on my own, I forgot to be a part of it." Tradition exists because we choose to continue it. I've been thinking about this lately: why am I starting to like tennis? Don't get me wrong, I still hate golf. I associate enjoying golf and tennis with age. Should I? That's up for debate. But here's what I learned: I am getting older.

We're on our own. Have been. Will be. I was on the mission, and am at college. And getting older does that. So is it a problem that I am starting to like tennis? I don't think so. But I realized that I'm acting like I'm separate from the chess game. Acceptance is hard, but it shows, and if used correctly, it provides miracles. It will always be important, but some will deflect it for years.

I think of tradition as old. Think of my grandfather. But the only way to want the tradition is for us to understand how it makes us better. So, although this post is short, this answer speaks for miles. I'm doing what President Uchtdorf told us, "Don't take yourself so seriously". Tradition may be tennis and golf with my grandfather, and now tradition is me and tennis. That is because I am becoming who I want to become, and the only way to do that is through acceptance and change.

(End post with Michael Jackson song...you know what I'm talking about)

Ask the Duke, this isn't Justice

I've learned about the world recently in a light that I never really had. It's actually because of my Econ 110 class, of all things. Now, I'm not talking about LAPD type crime, but rather, Major League Baseball, of all things. If you're in my MCOM section or know me, you probably know that I love baseball. But here's why I have an issue with the MLB: why aren't players equally punished to the seriousness of the infraction? And my observation for this week: money really does make the world go round.

Don't get me wrong, I believe in mercy and am an advocate of it. That will never change. Where the issue lies with the MLB is that people are willing to look the other way if something bad happens. To an extent, this is in no way a representation of real life. Here's an example: Rougned Odor, the second baseman with severe anger issues for the Texas Rangers, was suspended for 7 games after he clocked Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays. 7 games?!?! Being that I am not in the MLB, if I clocked someone because I got mad at them for a stupid reason, as Odor did to Bautista, I'm in jail. And chances are, I'm either facing felony or misdemeanor assault charges. Oh and add the lawyer fees. Can't forget those. Not one cent was taken from Odor. Or, why are baseball players still paid, and in some circumstances allowed to play, while appealing a suspension? Again, as a civilian, if I'm caught with drugs or steroids, that's some fun jail time. And for these athletes, unless in certain situations like domestic violence, no criminal prosecution?

Okay, now I'm done bitching about it. But here's where it matters for us: just don't be stupid. That's my life motto, simple as it is. You don't want to be the one who was known for looking the other way. I suspect attorneys for the MLB Players Association get involved with civil prosecution, and make it disappear. Again, I believe in mercy, plea deals, etc.. There's a reason steroid testing is getting smarter and why players still cheat the system: they don't get in trouble.

My Life is More March Madness than Lonzo Ball's! You heard that right, LaVar.

"Perspective"...yeah, I hate that word. I feel like it always implies that I am in the wrong, that someone else's view is correct. Now, I'm in pretty decent shape, but my friends can and will tell you, that there is no place for me in the tournament. I'm like 5'9", 150. I have a better chance of beating Michael Jordan in one-on-one (LaVar Ball, anyone?). So what could I learn from something I have no part of? That's exactly the magic of it! As I write this, I'm watching the Kentucky-UNC, Elite-8 game. As good as these athletes are, normally, I wouldn't watch this game. I'm a die-hard USC Trojans fan; it was good while it lasted. But this game is fun! It's been fast paced the entire first half. Some points come from the playbook, but most are from improving in the moment. March Madness is all about the upsets, just look at South Carolina and Oregon in the Final 4. Points that should be easy are blocked, as UNC is dominating. Shots that are tougher somehow come from plays that are sloppy at best. Point being: my life is more March Madness than Lonzo Ball. 

Although he probably won't ever see this, this picture is for you LaVar, with love. Shaq humbled Jordan, I doubt you'll have a chance

Whether you watch college basketball or not, if you follow sports, you know the name Lonzo Ball. Everyone has known he was going to the NBA after one year. Everyone knows his father will yet again, say something stupid. Lonzo Ball's life is under the microscope. I don't want to use the word "scripted", but people have known what his intention was after the tournament. Conversely, my life isn't predictable as Lonzo Ball's life. No one is following me to the NBA draft, and no one cares. My father is not telling people the only team I will play for is the Lakers. He isn't telling someone to sign a billion-dollar-shoe deal for me and my brothers. (Apparently, anything under a billion dollars is not acceptable!) Does it sound like LaVar Ball could be exploiting his kids? Shots that should be layups in my life aren't just blocked, but after being blocked, the basketball hits me in the face, slamming me on the court to leave me there. Fast breaks that I shouldn't be on randomly occur in my life. It's the closest thing I will get to March Madness. I'm figuring out that no matter how much I try to prepare, I won't be prepared. But it doesn't mean that I shouldn't prepare. 

I have always been someone who tries to make everyone happy and help them with what they need. My experience: people are mean, and people are jerks. People can really suck! They want their life to be Lonzo Ball, predictable of success. Here's where I apply it to my life: I deserve to be famous just as much as Lonzo Ball does. But, his skills far surpass mine. And although we deserve to be famous at the same level, we have differences that prohibit that pursuit. Look at Oregon and South Carolina; they shouldn't be in the Final 4. I shouldn't be in the Final 4. But that doesn't mean that I can't be. Take that to life: we all have the opportunity to success, but people bet more on upsets than logic. 

One of the half-time-show hosts of the Kentucky-UNC game said this about the tournament:

"You've got to bring your game, not your name"  

That's the fun of March Madness. 

That's also the fun of life, as well as the suck.

Try to upset the others, but don't let it happen to you.  

The Reason as to Why This Blog Exists

The Millennial generation carries well-known stereotypes such as lazy, narcissist, rude, etc.. Although I make fun of it, I am part of the generation. But what I learned this week was just how real, and scary, it is to be part of this movement, if you will.

I recently started watching a show called, The Great Indoors, a show on CBS with Joel McHale. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. The reason that this TV show is relevant is because it centers around making fun of Millennial stereotypes. This show has gotten bad reviews from people, but guess what?: The offended are Millennials! In my opinion, this show is doing everything right, down to a "T". One episode makes fun of Tinder, another gender labels. I've attached both. I want to get rid of a tendency I may have of "change yourself, change the generation". I'm all for activism, but it kind of seems like a load of crap. Take it as a blessing: people who still believe in traditional, and ethical, I may add, principles are just distinguished even more. Why should I, or you, care?: Guilty by association.

How do I plan to use this? To be honest, I love this show and am around seven episodes behind. When I have time from homework, I am all for watching it. It's funny because it's real. Below this I'm attaching a short interview. It'll look like a long post, but I guarantee it's not. Remember, it's 7:30 on a Saturday night, and I'm a college kid.

Stephen Fry, who stars in the show as a travel editor who becomes the boss of a group of millennials in the digital department of a magazine, jumped in to say that he believes there is “an element of coddling” in the generation and “an element in which you have it tougher than the generation before.”

“Yeah, no shit” the millennial reporter, not named by Deadline, fired back, before saying she wanted the question answered by Gibbons, not Fry (who noted a previous generation in his family was sent to Auschwitz).

“A great example is how you interrupted my answer,” Gibbons replied.

Another incensed millennial reporter later rhetorically asked: “Do you want millennials to watch your show? Cause you come out here and said ‘Ha, ha, ha, millennials are so sensitive and PC,’”, branding his comments “so negative”.

The Great Indoors co-star Joel McHale interjected that if the show is offending millennials, it is “the best strategy ever”. 

The Hard Reality of, well, Reality

I'll be honest, I hate reality. Thinking about it, I understand more than I know, and I don't think that I'm alone. Here's what I'm thinking, but it's only a thought. Maybe we don't learn things when we think we do. Psychology and neurology have gotten us far, but here's my theory. I believe that we don't necessarily learn when or how we think we do. I think concepts exist, and naturally, we come to make the connection when new material is introduced. Does this sound like learning? I believe that learning is a personal, cognizant action. I think, subconsciously though, we make connections that we haven't been introduced to.

Here's where my title comes into play. I believe that I have recently seen these connections in my life. And not that I'm just observing them, I actually believe that I've been making some. Don't get me wrong, I completely believe in religion and the role of inspiration. I feel like reality and fate are intertwined by the way we explain it. Reality seems to have an outside influence, as if we are subjects to the reality of fate.

I have a quote from Bill Watterson that I have seen in my life. "Reality continues to ruin my life". Although we don't know what will happen in the future, can we do and know more than just anticipate it? Some may call it OCD, and maybe it is, but I've noticed that the more we actively observe, the less we know, but the more we understand. I believe there is a lot more to tendencies than we believe, but reality is just as bad as it is good.

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, and the Netflix

What's the similarity between a car, television, socks, and Netflix? Other than owning each item myself, the big connection is my free will. I could be without them tomorrow, and would drastically feel the effects of not having these items. Today, I see them as a standard, not as a luxury. I believe in God-given signs and I believe in God-inspired wonders. I know about free will, but it never hit me until now. But "free will" is like the chance the Lakers have to win the NBA title this year...non-existent.

I have come to understand the notion of "the will to live" though. The only reason I say "free will" does not exist is because there is always a consequence, positive or negative, resulting from our actions. (Oh, and before I continue, regarding free will, that girl from like three posts ago didn't work out, and I used my free will to end it). And here is where Netflix comes into play. I love Netflix! I've finished Baby Daddy twice, CSI: Miami once, and I'm currently around season 5 and 80 episodes. There are 13 seasons on Netflix. Recently, I tried watching the first two episodes of the Netflix produced, Santa Clarita Diet. NETFLIX: PRETTY BAD CHOICE! I love comedy, but that was down-right disgusting. Really not one of your best choices Drew Barrymore, and to be honest, I can't watch her act for a while. I don't hate much. But I do hate that Netflix is the new HBO..no rules, no clothes, all TV-MA. I don't do zombies and I don't do gore. I'm relaxed about practically everything, this, not so much.

Remember that teaching growing up: the media we use influences us? Yeah, I never totally bought into that one. But growing up, it has hit me harder each week. I never thought a Netflix show would be a sign of it though. The more we grow up, the more we make mistakes. The more we grow up, the more we succeed. The more we grow up, the more we set our own goals according to our will. And the more we grow up, the more we understand what our will tells people about us more than it tells us about ourselves.

Now what's a good quote to end this post, maybe something from some old, mentor-status person. I'm thinking Morgan Freeman, good 'ol Denzel, maybe Oogway? Okay, here's my choice from Will Arnett playing Bruce Wayne : "First rule: Life doesn't give you seat belts". What I know: Life has no seatbelts, but understanding the impact of your will, it'll save you from going through the windshield.

Didn't Expect a Part Two to be Honest

Being from Southern California, I grew up and still am a Los Angeles Lakers fan. I also love Magic Johnson. How can you like the Lakers and not like Magic? I know. You can't. That is a man who knows how to maintain poise and control in all situations. What I learned this week: it really does pay to maintain and enrich your connections. Do you know what I'm talking about Phil?

Phil Jackson won five titles coaching the Lakers. Magic won five titles playing for the Lakers. Phil Jackson and Jeanie Buss were together for 16 years. No one really knows how long Magic and Jeanie were planning this change. Point being, connections are changing the way business is conducted. Companies like LinkedIn allow and enable connections to be made as well as maintained. I had a chance to ask Scott O'Neil a few questions in October of 2016. Scott O'Neil serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia 76ers. One simple but effective tip he gave me was "each connection you have will have three other connections". Just think, instead of one connection, you may actually gain four connections. I know simple right? 

Here's my point: Magic Johnson loves the Lakers and the Lakers love him. Is Magic Johnson ready to be in charge of the Lakers? To be honest, I don't know. People say that he doesn't have any front office experience. True. But he has a basketball mind that few others do. This is one reason that he wants to involve Kobe Bryant, another basketball genius. Basketball isn't just an industry, it's people working extensively with one another. 

Should Magic be in charge of the Lakers? Absolutely. Other than a relationship dilemma, Phil Jackson seems more qualified since running the Knicks. But even though Phil has run the Knicks for a while, he's produced more drama than results. I would rather take the opportunity of Magic over the experience of Phil. The more you put into a connection, the more you get out of it. Networking is not the same as having connections.

Sorry, Phil, no More Triangle...

One of the most iconic names is now one of the most ridiculed. Yep, that's right Phil Jackson, I'm talking about you! To be clear, being from San Clemente, California, I grew up a Lakers fan and will die a Lakers fan. But who Phil is now is not the Phil who won 10 NBA Championships with two different teams. He had Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaq, making him the best coach of all-time. Now he has Carmelo and Porzingis, and can't win back to back games. Although, I'm still questioning how the Knicks beat the Spurs...My point this week: we have to keep going. What we were describes us; it doesn't define us. 

I know I need to change. I said so in my post last week. But change is not the same as improvement. It's not wrong to be comfortable in our own skin. But it is wrong to not improve. Phil won 10 titles, but now he can't run a should-be a playoff team. After all, look at Lane Kiffin. From the Oakland Raiders to the FAU Owls, he couldn't ride his past forever. Not to mention his past kind of sucks. Being a USC fan, he showed his colors versus ASU a few years ago. His bubble screens define him, but that doesn't mean he needs to abandon it because it's too predictable now. He and Phil have something in common: you can ride the same system, but you have to adapt it for different circumstances. You can succeed with the same strategy, but you must adapt to local circumstances.

Now adapt this to our lives. There is nothing wrong with who we want to become or how we want to change. Certain things about us will never change, and if they're good practices, they shouldn't change. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to change. I've been lucky the past few weeks. I always saw change as passive, but now I realize that it is anything but. Remember how people say music and movies influence you? Yeah, I never bought into that. I like explicit music and I'm fine with rated R movies, to an extent. You change depending on the environment you put yourself in. Seeing what I've seen with my life and with Phil, I fully believe it! Don't be afraid to maintain who you are, but one size doesn't fit all. Carmelo does not play the Triangle offense. 

You are who you are Becoming, and that can be Scary!

For the past few months, I have learned more about myself than I ever really expected. It started with little things, pointing out differences between myself and other kids at BYU. Here is why I mention this: In my seminary classes, I was the only kid my age who went to a private school. That being said, my friends aren't members of the Church; they swear, drink, and do other things than members wouldn't do. I love my friends and wouldn't change it for anything, and I wanted to be like them. I wanted to be the "black sheep" among the Mormon kids. Since my freshman year in 2009, I've been swearing more than I should. I'm okay watching rated R movies; I do research before every movie on IMDB, looking at the Parents Guide. If it's too much, I don't see the movie. But here's what became a reality for me this past week: I am changing because I want to change. I want to be better. I want to be like those kids who I annexed myself from.

While on my mission in Colorado Springs, Elder Shayne M. Bowen  came for a mission tour my first year. He was very funny and witty, but he said something that has never left me. "When you know who you are, then you will act accordingly." It is simple but powerful. And while I notice that my preferences are changing, I've tied it back to one moment: I want to become better for a girl. It sounds stupid, and it is, because we're not dating, well, not yet. We haven't friend zoned each other in the slightest, but we're becoming good friends and getting to know each other really well. We know that it's easier to transition from really good friends to a serious relationship. She wants to have what she calls "the college experience", going on dates with different guys, and she wants me to do the same with different girls. With our busy lives, we both know that we aren't in the position to commit to each other, again, at least, yet. But although she is the reason it all started, I now want to be better for myself. I'm not fighting it like I used to. I catch myself changing my music to clean versions, or while listening to my music, I don't want, need, or desire, to swear with the songs. In fact, it  kind of hurts my ears. This is one reason why I decided to see the new Lego Batman Movie instead of John Wick. 

Now, it's clear what is in the future. I am hopeful that I will have a relationship with said girl, and do believe it is a very real possibility. But regardless of the future, I want to change, and I need to change. Specifically, I want to change for said girl, but I want to change for anyone I come in contact with. I have had very spiritual experiences about my future, and I know what can happen. One thing that has been stressed to me is that the Lord's time is not my time. Believe me, I wish His time was my time. For the promised blessings I anticipate in the future, I know I need to embrace change. 

My Lense Isn't the Only One

I would love to hear other ideas on what to write about! If you'd like, use the comment section for any ideas.

Mean Tweets-Unethical or Hysterical?

Thinking about what I learned this week, I was stumped. Then I saw a video from Jimmy Kimmel Live. It was a video that I had seen numerous times, but I had a thought regarding something other than comedy. People are mean. I can't watch nightly news because of how depressing it is. It's no surprise that "Mean Tweets" still exists because of the entertainment factor. What I never considered before was the athlete reading a mean comment about themselves. Why do the athletes agree to fuel these segments? Growing up, my dad always quoted Investor Business Daily saying, "How you think is everything"  This truth applies now more so than ever.

How do we approach people we respect? How do we approach people we don't respect? Most people have a favorite athlete or celebrity. Though a controversial athlete, my favorite basketball player has always been Kobe Bryant. I still wonder why Kobe would read a mean comment about himself? I also wonder why LeBron James or Michael Jordan have not appeared on "Mean Tweets"? Celebrities are role models, whether they like it or not. Are we more inclined to protect our egos or defend our character? Depends on the person. Do we laugh at these segments because the comments are funny? In all honesty, yes. But the real humor comes from the reader's reaction. 

Personally, I am all for athletes showing the world they are humans. I love athletes that know who they are and what they stand for. Some get offended, some don't. In "Swallowed Up in the Will of the Father", Neal A. Maxwell talks about three groups of people: pessimists, optimists, and innovators. Innovators are those who see the good and bad in each situation, and determine their choices because of that viewpoint. Not only will they make smart decisions, but they are what they think. They are practical, yet they have vision. I do not commend all of these athletes for their responses, but some I absolutely do!   

Selling History to Rick Harrison

We've all heard "Money makes the world go round"; but do we actually believe it? I love the TV show, Pawn Stars, which if you've seen it, the objects brought in are amazing! Recently, I've seen a 1957 Brooklyn Dodgers signed by Sandy Koufax and other all-time great baseball players. I saw a Russian medal valued close to $40,000 recently bought for $6000 dollars. So, my common thread is this: What determines the amount of money paid for something? Pawn Stars is a perfect example; history is still worth the price. 

At first, I had a certain view on the practice of selling the past. Why should we sell our past for a few dollars? Attached are two videos. The first video shows the old introduction to the show, followed by the current introduction. I think it is interesting to hear the words in both videos. What changed in terms of priority? The second video shows a daughter selling her father's World War II memorabilia. Part of me believes that selling family treasures like that is pretty telling of how much we care about our nation's past. But why does this matter? How many children, or adults for that matter, would know about antiques if historical objects weren't sold? Kids would read about historic events in a textbook, but would they be remembered? Rather than selling the past, the practice of antique dealing shows just how much we care about the past. We talk about moving forward, but the way I see it, we still want to remain in the past. We give thousands upon thousands of dollars for some items. Why? Because it is the story of us. Those events are the reason that we are here today! 

My great-grandfather was in Skunk Works for Lockheed Martin from World War II through the Cold War. He was business partners with the top engineer, Kelly Johnson. Together, they designed some of the greatest airplanes ever made, including the SR-71 Blackbird, P-38 Lightning, and U-2 Bomber. Unlike anyone else in the world, my family has pictures and sketches signed to my grandfather from Kelly Johnson. Being who he was, Johnson's signature on original blueprints or plans is worth serious money. But, there is absolutely no way that I would sell that history for anything! My great-grandfather would be rolling in his grave! Just because I won't sell the pictures doesn't mean that I won't talk about them. The reason people pay so much money isn't because of time passing, but rather, what it means to them. Believe me, if I could sell a 300 year old piece of wood for thousands of dollars, I would do it in a heartbeat! History still lives because it matters to each person, regardless of age, background, economic status, etc.. Not only do we need to remember history; we need to embrace it. The best way to move forward is to remember the past. History repeats itself now more than ever. 

Hall of Fame or Hall of Shame?

So I have a question for you: Are innovation and cheating the same? Both provide a more efficient process, and both produce a positive result. Well, in theory. Each day should be different. That's the joy of life. But, today was different than the normal different. Today, baseball players were elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. Those who had a vote believe they chose the best players. But, come to think of it, what if the "best" cheated? What about two players who snuck their way into Cooperstown this year? They say they were pioneers of innovation in baseball; they just cheated. Run that experiment yourself. I dare you! Cheat on a test, get caught, then tell President Worthen you were just "innovating". Then, please maintain your innocence. Is honesty really the best policy? The world doesn't run on honesty anymore; it runs on "innovation". I find it interesting that when honesty is caught on camera, the world is stunned.

Hence the title of the blog, I am all for innovation. I also believe in honesty and traditional values. Now it seems that it's a paradox! Super computers called iPhones are at our fingertips. There is more computing power in a smartphone than there was in the first space shuttle. Scary, huh? On the contrast, high school athletes are being suspended for steroid use. Are we innovating, or are we "cheating the system"? I guess it really depends on the way you want the world to go. Progress is perspective. Millennials claim to embrace the future. Why not embrace "the now"? Why "innovate" when we can actually innovate? It's not an insult to be a Millennial. Admit it or not, if you are in that age group, you are a Millennial. I hate to break it to you. The Hall of Shame is just one example of Eddie Guerrero's quote, "If you're not cheating, you're not trying".

What can we do? I am one person. Someone else reading this is only one person. The sad reality is that even though there are many Millennials, we are all one person. What we can do is innovate for our benefit, not cheat ourselves. We are a new generation! So, why don't we leave the cheating and steroids in the past generation? Why don't we end the "Steroid Era"?

I Failed Because of My Beliefs

For the record, I plan to record entries about the title of my blog, not about religion. This is just simply one aspect of the blog's title. 

Our forefathers founded this country on the freedom to believe. We take it for granted everyday. We're supposed to embrace different beliefs. Without realizing it, we have strayed far from this ideal. My younger brother goes to a Christian high school. I went to an Episcopalian high school, a place that has a very dear place in my heart. Before I continue, my little brother and I were raised as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are Mormons. The freedom of belief enables different religions to have different theology. That's the beauty of it! Although an Episcopalian school, my alma mater defended each student's beliefs, whether they were agreed upon or not. Unlike my school, I was alarmed with how my brother's school teaches religion! Instead of a prompt to identify differing doctrine between themselves and Mormons, the pastor asked why Mormons were wrong. (And for the record, no question he asks regarding Mormons is ever in context). A religious school is to teach their belief and values, not degrade a student's! One example is my cousin's husband. He went to this school where he was taught to hate. When I returned from my LDS mission, I spoke in church. After my talk, without hesitation, he told my mother that when he didn't agree, he completely stopped listening. I'm still amazed with how open he was with his hate of Mormon belief. 

In the Book of John, Jesus himself says, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" (John 8:7). Replace the words "is without sin" with "has different beliefs". A pastor, a man who studies the scriptures for his profession, was violating what Jesus Christ taught his disciples!

When my brother showed me the homework assignments, I was furious. Seeing the guidelines, I helped him with his responses. What is truly shameful is that he was given a 0%. It is gut-wrenching that he failed for defending his core values. Does this sound of the freedom of religion? Or discrimination? I'm sure George Washington is rolling in his grave. General Washington fought for the freedom to believe, not to condemn. Why is it commonplace that future generations are taught to hate? Hate is more apparent now than ever, an example being Israel and Palestine. Everyday Israeli children are taught how to defend themselves from a Palestinian attack. On a much smaller scale, the only way to pass this religion class is to hate Mormons. Does that seem right? But the bigger question is, why is it okay for a Mormon to get a 0% for defending his beliefs? The whole point of this is that the future is a scary one. A society that talks about peace and diversity is teaching the very thing that they appear to be condemning.

Millennials represent a whole new way of life. Millennials are individualists. We are changing the way the world has worked for centuries. The future is more than scary when hate is not just acceptable, but taught and encouraged. Unfortunately, there is no simple method to cure hate. It's easier to cure cancer than it is to cure hate. I am part of the rising generation, but I don't stand for a large part of what we are supposed to become. I worry about raising children in a society that thrives on hate. All we can do, and must do, is live our beliefs. Practice what we preach. I believe in tolerance, love, respect, and other traditional values. Just because we are a new wave of people, does that mean that traditional values are being replaced as well?