Breaking down my prejudices. Islam is peaceful.

October 17, 2024.

Hello! I woke up at half-past seven and fell asleep around 10 p.m. yesterday. I was thinking about Grandma Galya, who asked me how I was doing. I couldn’t help but laugh when I imagined how I would answer her questions about love, saying I was in a polyamorous relationship, and if she asked what I was doing for work, I’d reply, "unemployed prophet." She would probably faint if she heard that. I can already imagine her reaction after calming down. She would likely suggest I pursue a job as a teacher or lecturer at a university, dedicate myself to a woman, start a family, and live a "normal" life.

After researching and learning more about Islam, I was able to break down many of the prejudices I had built up through various talk shows and news reports about this religion. With this new knowledge, I can see that Islam is a peaceful religion.

I set out for Borsum to incorporate some new ideas into my journal. Along the way, I bought a cheese roll and sat on a bench to wait for the bus when I suddenly remembered that I had forgotten to take out the hemp underwear I had soaked in the sink. Leaving it in the lye solution for hours wouldn’t be good, so I headed back home.

On my way back, I looked into the eyes of a bearded man who appeared to be Muslim for a little longer. We greeted each other with a “hello.” Somehow, after my exploration of Islam today, it felt easier to look at the man with the long beard, after breaking down my prejudice that it’s a rather dangerous religion, as it’s often portrayed in talk shows and the media.

A few steps further, this incident sparked a thought that struck me like lightning: I will sit down and write out all my prejudices and dismantle them one by one. A wise thought came to me spontaneously, as if God were speaking to me: For I say unto you, whoever sees good will sow good, and whoever sows good will reap good.

As seen in the image above, the lye water from the hemp underwear didn’t turn black, which is of course logical. However, it did take on a slightly beige tone, reflecting the color of the underwear. Apparently, clothing always releases some color, whether it's artificially applied or naturally occurring. However, this doesn’t make me want to switch back to black underwear, because if both types bleed color, I prefer the untreated and undyed version.

Around 11:00 AM, I rinsed out the underwear and hung it up to dry. Let’s see how long it takes for it to dry. What I particularly like about the hemp underwear is that, just like merino wool underwear, it is odor-resistant.

I’ve noted down some people and groups towards whom I have prejudices and feel rather hostile or negative:

• Left-wing extremists
• Right-wing extremists
• Vladimir Putin
• Adolf Hitler
• Jihadists and Salafists
• Pedophiles
• Murderers
• Politics in North Korea and life there
• Macho-like youth and “tomboys”
• Complainers
• When I think of radical feminists and other radical groups, I often feel they lack self-reflection and mostly come across as aggressive.
• When I hear phrases like “I’m pansexual” or “I have no pronouns,” I often get the feeling that the person thinks they are cooler or more modern than others.
• People who use gender-neutral language (like the asterisk in German) trigger similar thoughts in me as I used to have towards vegans. I feel like they’re trying to impose their views on me and lecture me. That directly puts me off because it gives me the impression that I’m not good as I am.
• When I think of conservative politicians, especially from parties like the CDU or AfD in Germany, I often feel it’s pointless to discuss with them. They seem stuck in old ways of thinking and not open to reconsidering their opinions.

The world is my home, and the people are my children. I do not divide my children into good and evil. I love them all, just as God created them and as our shared home has shaped them. I will let go of all my prejudices and approach people with openness, respect, and understanding. No child in this world deserves to be cast out of our global family.

The bed frame was finally picked up. Now, the space for spirituality feels even emptier! In this emptiness, I can hear God more clearly.

Shortly before 9 PM, my left ear started burning. Is someone sending me a telepathic message? (I'm currently busy writing yesterday's diary entry).

I also spoke to Julia before going to bed. If the words of a human being can bring about so much good, what could God’s words achieve?

Today, I am grateful:

• That the bed frame was finally picked up, and the space for spirituality now feels more fitting.
• That I have decided to break down all my prejudices, especially towards those cast out by society.
• That I have discovered wonderful oriental music.