“While in the Middle East, I saw how quickly religious sectarianism and...” — Tulsi Gabbard Quote

While in the Middle East, I saw how quickly religious sectarianism and bigotry can lead to the disintegration of a country - how leaders manipulate people to fear others who are different, who look different, or who have different beliefs.

I believe we can make progress on bringing true equality and fairness back to our government if we continue to work together and make our voices heard.

When a person thinks, I am a Christian, this other person is a Muslim, therefore he is my enemy, or I am a Muslim, this other person is a Hindu, therefore she is my enemy, they reveal their own lack of spiritual depth. No religion teaches this, and any understanding of any religion that adopts this divisive attitude proves itself false by doing so.

I feel it is my duty to take every single opportunity I get to advocate for peace, no matter the circumstances of those meetings.

I understand that not everyone shares my faith and some find it difficult to reconcile with their own beliefs.

Find the beliefs that are strangling your feelings, challenge them for your sake as well as theirs, and see how it feels to love someone without a thought about the future, simply for who they are today.

It's our own small voice within that is our oppressor; it says we are not worthy and not powerful enough. Our limited beliefs are the real foes we need to fight and conquer.

Debating religious beliefs are a red line, a deep red line.

We are fortunate enough to live in a state that is rich with diversity, and we are built on a foundation of unity and fairness for all of our citizens. We respect our fellow citizens for their beliefs, but we do not discriminate based on our disagreements.