Navigating the New World
My First Post in Some Time
I wasn't sure what to write for the first post on my updated website, but I ultimately decided it should be about the realities we now live in. I'll preface this with a little backstory. I'm a Canadian, born in this country more than 60 years ago. I don’t follow politics closely, but I like to keep myself apprised of the major issues affecting me and my family. I don’t affiliate with any political party; when I vote, I choose the person I believe will do the best job for my riding, whether it's a municipal, provincial, or federal election.
Living in Canada
In Canada, we have a multi-party system ranging from left to right. I haven’t seen the kind of political division here that we see happening elsewhere. I believe many Canadians are like-minded and want their elected officials to represent everyone, not just their voters. While not perfect, our universal healthcare ensures no one has to pay large sums of money just to see a doctor. Most employers offer insurance plans that cover a portion of wages for those off work due to illness. Unfortunately, with the current economy, people can still face hardship from lost wages during long-term illnesses. For those without private or employer-provided insurance, the government does offer some benefits. It's not a perfect system, but it’s one reason many people move to this country for a better life, and we welcome them.
Some Background
I know many people are religious, but I'm not one of them. I was raised and baptized Catholic, but my parents never forced us to go to church, letting us decide for ourselves whether to practice a faith. Personally, I tend to base my beliefs on facts and data. I recently saw a video where someone, debating the definition of morality, argued that their morality came from their Christian belief in Jesus's resurrection. The proof they offered was documentation in the Bible and from historians. For me, that isn't enough proof, as the Bible is a collection of texts with no definitive evidence of its historical accuracy.
Others may disagree, saying their faith brings them peace and guides their daily lives, and I respect that. I have very religious friends, and we get along well. I’m interested in hearing about their faith, especially from those of non-Catholic traditions, and I have learned many things over the years from people of various faiths. Still, with all that has been written about heaven and hell, and with the scientific knowledge we've gained in the past century, you'd think we would have found some evidence of heaven by now. Perhaps I'm wrong—maybe it exists in a different dimension or reality, and someday, proof will be found. For now, I remain skeptical. I worked as a miner for many years and have been more than a kilometre underground—I never saw hell, just rock and ore.
The Unpredictable World We Live In
The world today has become very unpredictable. Politics are increasingly divisive, which I have a hard time understanding. How can a political leader publicly state that the opposing party is “evil and corrupt”? I just don’t get how people can judge each other based on political beliefs. Politicians take office to serve their community and improve society. They aren’t elected to serve only their voters, and they shouldn't demonize those who hold different beliefs.
When I see the political violence in the United States, I don't ask myself why, but rather, when will it end? It seems the only path forward is for people to realize that more gets done when we work together for the common good. In a democracy, the electoral process determines who holds office and for how long. If you're unhappy with your elected official's performance, make your voice heard at the ballot box.
What the Future Holds
I don’t know what will happen over the next few months or years. I do know that, eventually, today's conflicts will fade into history. World War II ended 80 years ago, and most of us alive today know of it only through history books. We learned from the atrocities of that era and created new laws and declarations of rights to promote equality—a goal that still hasn't been fully realized.
There are still people who are not treated as equals. In some cases, it seems some believe that those with different views are less than human, or at least, that’s the impression I get. Years from now, society will learn from today's events and strive to avoid repeating our mistakes. Today's leaders will eventually be just figures in history books, remembered for their actions. History will judge some leaders harshly and revere others. The decisions and laws made today can be changed by future leaders. We need to do better as a society and work together to make the world a better place for all.
