A common occurrence I've seen among "enlightened" people, including some of my favorite philosophers, is a public apology for any transgressions that may have occurred at a time in their life when they "had all the answers". This is my "oh shit, sorry" letter.
To gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people: When I was younger I preached your hearts were filled with gross perversions and it was through your own free will and sin that you were gay. I participated in "Cure the Gays" prayer circles. I stood by as ridicule and hate were spewed from people I chose to look up to or call my friends, even if I felt it was wrong. I was told it was God's will, which is much more important than ours. I shamefully passed down these horrible points of view to younger generations of youth and I sincerely hope that they see reason now after my unsubstantiated bigotry. I apologize for signing multiple petitions to prohibit gay marriage and suppress gay rights. I deeply apologize for saying these things with no rational justification what-so-ever.
To Non-Christians and atheists:
I ridiculed or tried to convert on mission trips. I was once pig-headed enough to think that my reasons for believing in something were better than anyone else's... they aren't. I was confused and it never truly occurred to me why I disapproved of other peoples gods. If I had ever stopped to think about it, I would have realized why they don't believe in mine*. I'm sorry I said that you are going to hell to be tortured forever. That was bullshit. (put simply) I now find it morally reprehensible to assert that someone disserves anything of the sort for simply holding different beliefs under the same evidence as I hold mine and I refuse to put any stock in a God who would do something even close to that.
To the Wiccan girl who was made fun of by my friends and me for an entire school semester while adults did nothing to shut us up: We inflicted upon her a mental torture that some kids experience, but not for that length of time without any outside help. I very deeply regret the stupid and ignorant things that were said. I realize this technically fits into the apology above, but I'm convinced it deserves its own space due to its content.
For not investing more time and money into worthwhile charity work: I've spent most of my life tending to the comforts of my own mental and physical state. Since my college days, after all my comforts have been taken care of on a weekly basis, there has been plenty of either money or time to spare. I give myself no real excuses and will strive to give more of my excesses to those who cannot provide themselves simple comforts.
For allowing and accepting sexual repression in various forms including women's rights: I'm sorry for signing a petition to stop funding for Planned Parenthood. I'm sorry for aiding the struggle to encourage young men to feel ashamed for masturbating. Making someone feel sick inside for doing something so natural (even more awesome when done with a partner) I am ashamed of.
I'm truly sorry. I once thought it was a good thing for the world to push my own beliefs, I now view as dangerous, unto others. I wasn't making the world a better place, I was making it a bitter hate-full place and being a bigoted douche' bag while I was at it. It is now my prerogative to ensure that "my" absolute certainties of belief and faith are replaced with reason, logic, facts and sound moral thought.
From Craig to Dawkins, from Buddha to Nietzsche, from The Bible to The Koran, they all point out some of the very same simple facts: I am born, I live (for a short while), then I die and what I do during life is extremely important. For me it is deciding that my importance in this life is to chase knowledge in all its forms while helping all others in their chase of life and liberty.
From the pinnacle of my intelligence (from the bottom of my heart is to imply
I think with my feelings, which I no longer do) I apologize.
Sincerely,
JoeNavy
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