Utah as a Condom

Imagine, if you will, Utah, and more specifically, Utah County as a condom. Now I know many of you are already moving you're mouses to the little 'x' that will close you out of this blasphemous, sinful window, but for the rest of you hear me out.

We are raised in a very religion based society. We learn at a very young age that stealing is bad and that if you swear you'll get a certain spice poured on your tongue. We learn all liars will get punished, if you are nice to everyone you'll have friends, and if someone jumps off a cliff that it doesn't mean we have to as well.

The society protects itself from the evils of the world. Parents try to "raise children the right way". We come together as a community to shield young people from being tarnished. In doing this, our society essencially becomes a plastic incasing, always trying to be safe. Do you see where I'm going with this? In trying to protect ourselves, we become an object we don't even to discuss or understand till we are in high school, when hormones are flying. I'm not saying that this is a bad thing. It'd actually wise. By doing this, we're more likely to ensure that we will be surrounded by good people who will have the same ideals.

But this can only take us so far. Just like a condom, this plan isn't 100% full proof. When this plastic bubble pops we are exposed. It's a little shocking and overwhelming. We suddenly know people who act on those things we were protcted from. I'm not saying they are bad people. On the contrary, some of those people are very encouraging of finding your own way. You don't have to do something that they do.

My bubble popped recently. I suddenly find myself having friends who drink, others that as Aaron Gordon says, "Have done the beautiful", and another who isn't mormon. But that is how it is in the popped world outside of Utah i have come to realize. Not everyone, everywhere was raised the same way. Does having done those things make them bad? I don't know how it could. Each of the friends I affore mentioned are facinating people with amazing hearts. They are good people who just try to do their best. Everyone has good in them, well, except Ben from Lost, but I am speaking in reailty.

The right thing isn't nesicarily the same for everyone. What we feel is right for us might not be what is for another. We shouldn't take it upon ourselves to make that judgement. We should just be nice to everyone and let them do their own thing. Sound familiar?