Did anyone watch the CNN - Paul Ryan Townhall Trainwreck?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

36. There is such a huge gap between

life as so many of us live it, and the life of so many others. Especially those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Your aunt is a sad and typical example of those who have zero compassion until it hits home.

Okay, so I'm willing to agree that prisons shouldn't be a picnic. But prisons in this country are far, far from a picnic. They are punishment, pure and simple.

I have a close friend who has been involved with inmates for about 20 years now. If he were more religious, I'd call what he does a ministry. That's not the word he'd use, but it fits. He corresponds with inmates. He has provided a place for some of them to live when they've been released. One inmate in particular feels to him like the son he never had. And here's the important part: he treats them as human beings deserving of respect. Their crimes aren't the important part. The people they are now are.

My only connection to inmates has been through this friend, and I'm blown away by his compassion. I cannot begin to help these people as he does. I can only (at best) follow his example and realize that we are all imperfect, and we need to help each other.

So often we get lost in judgement. I'm good, you're bad. The black and white morality that doesn't begin to encompass the reality of life.

It is beyond frustrating to me that so many conservative Christians only finally understand homosexuality when they have a son or daughter who comes out as gay. And even then, many of them don't dare admit this to their neighbors of church members. As has been pointed out all too often the religious right/conservative Republicans are opposed to whatever (abortion, gay rights, trans gender issues) only when they are personally affected. And even then, all too often they take the stance of "My situation is special, and has no connection to anyone else".