It's a rarity to see a constructive exchange between two people who have completely different points of view. I wanted to share this one between HuffPost users metallicdiva9009 and Catdog101 found in the comments of Janet Mock's piece on HuffPost Gay Voices:
I wish people would accept themselves as God truly made them, it's sad that we have to find ourselves looking to be something we factually are not. You're not born something else than what you really are, you're born the way God intended. There are no coincidences. But if you're happy, be happy. I'm all for live and let live. I'm Christian. And I believe that judging is wrong, and I don't want you to feel judged, but enlightened by another perspective. And if you can respect my view, i can totally respect yours.
I want you to know that I completely respect your view. Everyone has their own way of looking at things, a unique "lens" through we understand the world. This "lens" is molded and influenced by our background- how we group up, the family and friends we have, all the personal and unique experiences that make up the essence of who we each are in the world. When you said however that you wish people would accept themselves as G-d truly made them... Her story that she just shared with the world is WHO she is. What you were basically saying is you wish people would just accept what they are instead of who they are. I believe that there is more to what we are than our physical selves- we embody a spirt, a soul-an essence. If you believe that everyone is born the way God intended- then each individual is a unique and perfect creature just because they are- because they exist. We all have something to learn from one another- and to me, that's the whole mystery behind life. Life would be boring if we were all the same- in fact, it really wouldn't be life at all. I heard one quote in a documentary that I loved : "Nature delights in difference- why can't humans do the same?" I like what you said about being enlightend by another perspective- I was enlightened by yours, and hopefully you can be enlightened by mine =)
Also remarkable is that each of these are the first comments of the two respective users. Not a bad way to start out!
Fanned and Faved to both of you for keeping it respectful.