Well Informed 2.0: Syria & Immigration

This topic is nightmarish for so many reasons. 

I think there is so much more that should and could be done for the refugees. This is me speaking as an under-experienced and over-privileged millenial, but I just can't understand why power, nationality, race, or religion holds a higher importance over aiding these displaced human lives.

Social media has been a very powerful tool in the Syrian war. Alaa Basatneh, the #ChicagoGirl, used social media to coordinate and run the revolution in Syria from her bedroom in Chicago. UNICEF started the campaign #ChildrenOfSyria to help raise aid, funding, and awareness for the refugee crisis.

This crisis has been going on for 5 years. Some children have only known this war in their lives. If this was happening to any of us, I think we would expect far more help than what the refugees are receiving from us. 

I am afraid of terrorism touching down in the U.S. just as much as anyone else, but it's that exact fear that makes it even more important in my mind to save those who are the actual and first victims of it.

Well Informed 2.0: Radicalization & Religion

Interestingly enough, I came across a post on Facebook the other day where two previously devout Mormons came out to explain why they had left the Mormon religion. They explained that they had left the church almost 2 years prior, but had kept quiet about it to most in order to maintain healthy relationships and respect the beliefs of others. Their reason for coming out now was to offer their perspective on why they left, and why it's important to accept the decision of anyone else who does.

Here is a link to their blogpost titled Why We Left the LDS Church. They truly did their research, and offered an excellent, mostly-objective explanation.

I bring this post up because it started a public discussion about the Mormon religion in a way I've never seen before. These discussions are usually believers and non-believers pitted directly against one another. Although this was brought on by a now non-believer, they presented to both sides. Reading through the comments I saw that the post gave the minority opinion a much needed voice. I also saw many active members offer their respects. And it wouldn't be a social media post if it didn't have the unnecessary comments from the people whose heads the post went over. Regardless, it was a step in the right direction.

As we discussed this in class today, I kept thinking about ethics. There are so many different types of ethics, yet not one is held true over another. In fact, one could and arguably should use different ethics in different situations. At the base of ethics are morals. Everyone's morals are personal and you cannot impose your own upon another.

So I wonder how is this any different from different religions and one's own faith? It's really not. No one religion is going to work for every person just as no one system of ethics works for every situation. I think that's a rational conclusion to make no matter what your own convictions may be.