I'm talking about people trying to tell other people how to live. This leaks over into every part of life - there are things like gay marriage, interracial relationships, dietary choices or lack thereof, medical choices or lack thereof and most recently, Pokemon Go.
I don't understand this need to regulate other people's lives or even to concern yourself with choices that really have no impact whatsoever on you - except perhaps that it might make you a little uncomfortable.
Who someone is in love with (and what bits they have), what tv shows they like to watch, whether or not they eat wheat or meat, what car they drive, what they wear or what Gods they worship is none of your business. In no way does it have any effect on your life or your ability to enjoy your life. What seriously is the purpose in trying to dictate to others that they have to be like you? Do you get a kick out of making someone miserable just so you can feel more comfortable around them?
Objections on Religious Grounds
If you feel that someone else's life is offensive to your religious beliefs, then why not leave those judgments and punishments in the hands of the Gods? I'm pretty sure They're more than capable of taking care of things Themselves if something should offend Them.
Personally, I'm not aware of any religion that requires it's followers to make others outside of the religion miserable just to please themselves. Similarly, I'm also not aware of any religion that asks it's followers to be the most obnoxious, self-important prats who constantly try to make the world over in their own image.
If something is against your religion, then don't do it. You don't get to tell others that they have to conform to the ideals of your religion.
Objections to Food Choices
If you are vegan or vegetarian (for whatever reason) good for you. Unfortunately, there's a trend amongst vegans particularly to try and push their lifestyle choices onto everyone else as though it's the only healthy option. This is usually supported by cherry-picked bad science that also assumes that everyone's physiology is identical and the dietary needs of one person are identical to the next.
If you don't like eating (or wearing) animal products, then don't. But you don't get to dictate that others have to follow your way. For many people this will make them very sick.
Since I discovered that I was Gluten Intolerant, I've found it truly bizarre not just how many people have an opinion about it but the range of opinions and suggestions I've had. I've heard everything from "this gluten-free stuff is all bullshit" to "it's not the gluten, it's the preservatives they put in white bread (which I didn't eat anyway), you need to make your own bread and you'll be fine" to "You're just being a drama queen".
I don't understand how becoming violently ill if I eat gluten affects you enough for your opinion to be something I should take under serious or any consideration. Unless you're holding my hair for me, I'm going to file you under "dick" in my head.
Objections on Aesthetic Grounds
Unless it's a school which has a dress code or uniform rules or you are employing someone for a job with a dress code or uniform rules, then how someone else dresses, what piercings or tattoos they may have is none of your business.
This whole "dress for the body you have, not the body you want" thing leaves me flabbergasted. All the social media memes about how low-riding or sagging started in prison to show you were "available" or all the blog posts about "what women over 30 should never wear" are all part of the same thing. Why does a complete stranger require your approval? If someone is comfortable and feeling confident and happy in their clothes, then that should be celebrated not condemned.
If you don't like those clothes, those piercings or those tattoos, then don't wear them. You might not like to see their stretch marks or their ribs, they may be bigger or smaller than you feel comfortable seeing, but you don't know their story, you don't get to tell them what they can and can't wear or what they should be doing about their body type.
Objections because Science
If someone wants to do a detox diet or use homeopathy or restructure their home for good Feng Shui how is this your problem? Aside from people dangerously neglecting children and pets by failing to seek appropriate medical attention when it's needed or trying to make a cat vegan, anything else is not your problem, it affects you in no possible way and there is nothing useful to be gained by being offended by someone else's choices in these things.
I'm sure you're seeing the theme here. Decide for yourself what you do, let other people do the same. Try to understand why you think that others require your approval and why you think your opinion of their choices or lack of choices should matter to them - would their approval or opinion matter to you?
Voicing your opinions about things like this says more bad things about you than it does about them.
Blessings
Debbie
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