Can We Ever Learn to Get Along?

Twenty-five or so years ago, I was fortunate to work with a small CPA firm that consisted of only 6 employees, including the owners (a husband and wife).  Paul and Jill were the owners and they were Jewish, there was Vic, a Jehovah’s Witness, Wanda was Methodist and there was a man (who mostly stayed to himself, so I don’t remember his name now – but since he was about retirement age then I dare say he is around to be offended that I forgot) who was athiest.  Myself, I am pagan, but was raised Christian and my father was a minister.

I will never forget lunches at the firm.  Almost always we ate our lunch together in the conference room.  We would either bring our lunch, order in, or run down the the cafeteria and bring it back up.  We would put the phones on the answering machine, lock the front door (with an out to lunch sign posted), and spend an hour talking about things other than work.

Our conversations most often led to our opinions on politics, religion, social and moral issues, and our individual views on the world around us.  Sometimes we agreed on things, many times we disagreed – but never once did we raise a voice, attack or become condescending.  We shared and we divested but we always just agreed to disagree on a lot of issues.   We came to look forward to these discussions as all of us believed that understanding our differences meant understanding each other and as a result we worked better as a team than anywhere else I have ever worked. 

We always allowed the conversations to develop naturally:  maybe someone would mention a topic that was newsworthy at the time.  Often, the daily paper was there in the room with us that would serve as a catalyst for our discussion.  Many times in our conference room you would hear someone state an opinion and then directly ask someone else at the table their opinion and how they arrived at it.  What were their religious teachings on the matter, and did they agree or disagree with their religion’s view?  When the firm was sold and we went our separate ways, I was very appreciative of the things I had learned there.  

As a mother, I am very proud that my daughter has learned to also appreciate other points of view – and embraces differences instead of being afraid of them.  Too many people in our world are afraid of or just plainly hate others because they are of a different religion, race, ethicity, etc. 

Unfortunately, we see too much hate and not enough discourse.  I wish that everyone had the opportunity to lock themselves in a conference room everyday with several people who had different beliefs and just learn to talk to each other.  Find out what everone is about!  Of course, these issues extend beyond race and religion – sexual orientation is at the forefront of heated debates right now.  The way I see it, why should gays and lesbians not be permitted to marry?  What in the world is wrong with love?

That being said, I can’t wait to see “Milk”.  Here is the trailer for anyone who hasn’t seen it.  If you have seen the movie, please post a review!!