…it wasn’t sin that was born on the day Eve picked an apple: what was born on that day was a splendid virtue called disobedience.
—Oriana Fallaci—
Liberty of conscience is precious to us. We need to feel that we are doing the right thing; sometimes, this may mean disobeying authority, as abolitionist, suffragists, and conscientious objectors have done.
Yet when we research our hearts, it is our own authority, or the authority of a spiritual source outside ourselves, that commands our true loyalty. And others must trust this authority, for themselves. Trust in ourselves teaches us to be respectful of others’ beliefs.
Obedience must be based on trust. If this is true for us, we can understand that it is equally true for others. Our spirit is larger than our beliefs, and more generous.
Today I’ll try to understand that everyone wishes to do what is right for themselves.