I wish we could laugh more.

How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 1: 21

Few things get people riled up like politics and religion. Mix the two, and it is like pouring gasoline on an oil fire. It can certainly be argued that most of the misery we experience on earth can be attributed to some mix of religious zealousness, political infighting, and greed.
I laughed when I read in the newspaper this morning that political fighting in Ukraine's parliament is so bad, they throw eggs at opposition members, and even brawl in the aisle. Those who favor ties with Russia are at odds with those who are trying to bring the country into a more pro-western Europe, and it is serious business, for sure. But the photograph is what made me laugh. It showed one of the politicians being pelted with eggs while another one held an open umbrella to protect himself from a chicken embryo. I mean, they actually bring umbrellas into the chamber for just such emergencies?
There are all kinds of people hating someone: Christians, Muslims, Jews, Africans Americans, Gays, Mexicans, Rich People, Corporations, Film makers, movie stars, and Miley Cyrus. Poor Miley. It sucks to be a nice person who has success.
I tend to look at causes differently, and sometimes, I think it rubs my friends the wrong way. For example, I am perfectly fine with the State of California recognizing gay marriages. Some of my friends though, see that as a conflict with my faith. I do not. I just don't see what business any government has in anyone's marriage.
Marriage certainly isn't exclusively the property of any particular faith. It has been around longer than any of the existing faiths.
Still, I get a little irritated at the people who defend gay marriage rights (Now remember, I am all for it)! The other day I was invited to join a group on Facebook called "I hate Cancer." Well, yeah! Duh! Sign me up! I was pleased to see that in the months it has been in existence, it has over 600,000 members. That's good, right?
Except there is also a group online that is pro gay marriage, and guess what? They have over 2 million supporters... and most people joined that cause in less than a week!
Now, I don't know about you, but I find this incredibly stupid. I mean seriously: which is more important? Getting rid of a multi-faced disease that kills millions annually, or allowing gays to get married? I hope you agree with me that getting rid of cancer really should be a higher priority!
I just wish things were different. I wish we had a smart, strong government that taxed very little, and poked its nose in our business a lot less. I wish everyone could have good health care. I wish I liked to exercise. I wish everyone who wanted to get in your face with some issue would just shut up, and everyone was treated with dignity and respect. I wish we could all laugh more.
Don't you?