Living overseas, especially in an Islamic Kingdom, has changed the way I look at our world. We have lived here now for 2 and half, almost 3 years, and when I think back to America, I can't believe how much freedom we have. I see daily on facebook and twitter, people posting articles and statuses about how as a nation we are loosing rights left and right. It may be true, and I am 100% for our rights and freedoms, it is what makes us the United States of America. We were founded by those fleeing the oppression of their native countries, seeking freedom. But I have to ask the question, what are you doing with your freedom?
In the U.S., we have the freedom of speech. We can say whatever we want about whoever we want. We have the right to peacefully protest, to have marches, to start petitions. We as normal people, through our State Reps, can actually change things if we are determined enough. We can elect who we want to be in office. Granted it may not always feel like we have a voice or a chance, but we do. In the country we now live in, people are allowed to protest, if they contact the appropriate officials in advance and get permission. Police will meet them at their designated location and make sure nothing gets out of hand. If you say something bad about the King or the Prophet, you go to jail. The people can get the opportunity to vote on their parliament, but the King can (and has) fired them all and set up a new parliament. But the same people run again for election to Parliament, they pay off people for votes, and get elected into the same positions for their lifetime. Regardless, the King does what he wants, and has the authority to do so, the average citizen has no ability whatsoever to instigate change. Thankfully in our Kingdom, we really do have a good, kind King who listens to the people and what they want. We are blessed to have a King who is looking out for the welfare of his people, and although it may not always be felt, a freedom is lacking.
In the U.S., we have the freedom of Religion. We can believe anything we want, we can change around from religion to religion if we so desire, we can make up our own religion. We can do it, and no one can stop us. Here, we have freedom of religion as well. You are free to be of whatever faith you were born. Zoe is free to be a Christian because on her birth certificate it says she's a Christian and that's all she's free to be, well, except Muslim.
Now, here, we may live under a Monarchy and not have the voice or the freedoms from government that we have in the U.S., but the aspect of this country which really impedes upon a persons freedoms is the culture. I have been talking a lot about this with my language tutors recently. The difference between religion and culture. While the religion between Christians and Muslims in my country is quite different, their culture is the same. I have the freedom legally to walk outside dressed however I like, but if I go out in a mini skirt and a tube top, the culture is quickly going to catch up with me. I will get harassed, probably grabbed and most likely propositioned. Therefore, long sleeves, long pants/skirts and loose clothing it is. I have the freedom legally to go out of the house by myself at any time of the day I want, but if I go out by myself after dark, the culture will quickly catch up with me. I have the freedom to walk on the street with a man who is not my husband, but the culture will quickly catch up with me. A girl has the freedom to have sex outside of marriage, but a male family member (brother or father) might abuse or kill her and he might go to prison for 6 months. That's right folks, this is cultural not religious.
So, as I read tweets and status updates about people's unhappiness with political changes in the U.S., I challenge you to be thankful for the freedoms that you do have. Put feet to your words and do something about those things you are unhappy about, because that is your right, your freedom, and you have the ability to make change. Live life, take advantage of the freedoms you have.
On another note: Happy Easter! We are free to celebrate Easter, but if we do, we must celebrate on the day the King tells us to.
In the U.S., we have the freedom of speech. We can say whatever we want about whoever we want. We have the right to peacefully protest, to have marches, to start petitions. We as normal people, through our State Reps, can actually change things if we are determined enough. We can elect who we want to be in office. Granted it may not always feel like we have a voice or a chance, but we do. In the country we now live in, people are allowed to protest, if they contact the appropriate officials in advance and get permission. Police will meet them at their designated location and make sure nothing gets out of hand. If you say something bad about the King or the Prophet, you go to jail. The people can get the opportunity to vote on their parliament, but the King can (and has) fired them all and set up a new parliament. But the same people run again for election to Parliament, they pay off people for votes, and get elected into the same positions for their lifetime. Regardless, the King does what he wants, and has the authority to do so, the average citizen has no ability whatsoever to instigate change. Thankfully in our Kingdom, we really do have a good, kind King who listens to the people and what they want. We are blessed to have a King who is looking out for the welfare of his people, and although it may not always be felt, a freedom is lacking.
In the U.S., we have the freedom of Religion. We can believe anything we want, we can change around from religion to religion if we so desire, we can make up our own religion. We can do it, and no one can stop us. Here, we have freedom of religion as well. You are free to be of whatever faith you were born. Zoe is free to be a Christian because on her birth certificate it says she's a Christian and that's all she's free to be, well, except Muslim.
Now, here, we may live under a Monarchy and not have the voice or the freedoms from government that we have in the U.S., but the aspect of this country which really impedes upon a persons freedoms is the culture. I have been talking a lot about this with my language tutors recently. The difference between religion and culture. While the religion between Christians and Muslims in my country is quite different, their culture is the same. I have the freedom legally to walk outside dressed however I like, but if I go out in a mini skirt and a tube top, the culture is quickly going to catch up with me. I will get harassed, probably grabbed and most likely propositioned. Therefore, long sleeves, long pants/skirts and loose clothing it is. I have the freedom legally to go out of the house by myself at any time of the day I want, but if I go out by myself after dark, the culture will quickly catch up with me. I have the freedom to walk on the street with a man who is not my husband, but the culture will quickly catch up with me. A girl has the freedom to have sex outside of marriage, but a male family member (brother or father) might abuse or kill her and he might go to prison for 6 months. That's right folks, this is cultural not religious.
So, as I read tweets and status updates about people's unhappiness with political changes in the U.S., I challenge you to be thankful for the freedoms that you do have. Put feet to your words and do something about those things you are unhappy about, because that is your right, your freedom, and you have the ability to make change. Live life, take advantage of the freedoms you have.
On another note: Happy Easter! We are free to celebrate Easter, but if we do, we must celebrate on the day the King tells us to.
