Your Idols Are Still Human — Jasmine D. Lowe

I felt uncomfortable watching the video and images of the Dalai Lama sticking his tongue out to a child and telling them to suck on it. I’m still grossed out thinking about it, even with the hundreds of comments and notes surrounding the incident with offerings of content and explanations. I wasn’t there, I don’t know the Dalai Lama, and I don’t know much about Tibetan culture, so I don’t want to say what it was or wasn’t. However, the story plastered across every homepage of every blog and website has reminded me that all our teachers, idols, and leaders are human and that none of them are perfect.

Most religions and beliefs ask us not to worship people or other idols but to find inspiration from those who appear to be on a positive path. We’re encouraged to seek wisdom from within ourselves and to find guidance in the overarching power that unites us all in this universe. We are taught in most religious teachings that no other person is better than another, and no other earthly being is beneath another. We are asked to be kind and care for one another because we are all equally on the same level.

I grew up Catholic but purposefully studied numerous religions that led to my belief in a higher power energetically connecting each and everything single thing in this universe. A part of this journey evolved from hearing about a local religious…