Egyptian

Last night, about half an hour after the start of the new year, there was a bombing near a Christian church in Alexandria, Egypt.

I don't know who was responsible. I don't know what religion or ethnic group they claim to belong to. I don't know the events leading up to the attack. But all I know is this:

Religion is meant to be a form of guidance; it is not a means to separate human beings. This isn't really about religion at all, it's about people and their egos and their own materialistic benefits. These are the people who spin religion into the story to make it appeal to the masses that don't know any better, and make them carry out such horrific things because of the hatred they put into their hearts. These are the people responsible, the people who throw the bait and then sit back and wait for us to bite.

But we have a choice. We can refrain from falling into their ambush. We can stick together as one, and acknowledge that every person has the right to choose whatever religion they please since it doesn't really matter what they call themselves; what matters is what's in their hearts, and we all know that faith, real faith, cannot be controlled.

So to the people who get easily influenced and carried away, please stop and think before you do or say something you'll regret. Give people their rights and retain yours. And to the people who only care about themselves and their appearances and power, we won't let you separate us.

I know it's saddening to see the way our government is reacting to these attacks (let's not even mention its role in the events leading up to them) and hear the usual hypocritical speeches, but we're stronger than them, stronger than we think. We can stick together and not grant them access to our minds and hearts. We won't be influenced. We'll be peaceful and loving and appreciate everyone's rights to do whatever they please as long as they don't harm anyone.

We're all Egyptians, and nothing will ever change that.