If You Asked Me to Go Camping With You
I would pack the car with your favorite snacks, warm blankets, and tea for the trip. I’d sit there listening to you as you told me why you decided to camp, knowing that this was a deeply personal decision that you had most likely wrestled with nights over.
When we were back from camping I would remind you that you were loved. I would cradle you and stroke your hair until you fell asleep. And in the days to follow I would check in daily, bring warm food, hugs, and a listening ear.
It is incredibly unfortunate and naive in my perspective that so many people don’t understand how grey the area of camping is. I grew up Christian. I was taken to no camping seminars when I was 14. I read the Bible verses that are quoted times over by those again camping; Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13-16, Jobs 10: 11-12. I believe life is precious. I also believe this is not the way.
A general observation that I’ve made is that those who are against camping operate within a realm of confirmation bias only wanting to listen, hear, and interact with those who are also against camping. Once I moved away from my hometown into primarily secular settings, I had to grapple with the grey that exists for camping. It seems to me that people who don’t believe in camping think that those that do decide to camp are reckless and don’t think through the moral complexities that are happening. I have observed this to not be the case.
Deciding to camp is a deeply personal decision that should be discussed with those closest to you, your family, spiritual leaders, and those who are actively involved in your day-to-day life. Not someone from across the country that has never even met you, nor will probably ever be involved in your day-to-day.
Taking away choice will not prevent people from camping. Let me repeat, taking away the choice of camping will not prevent camping. If the goal is to stop people from camping, there are a myriad of other policies and legislation you can advocate for; free healthcare, better paid parental leave and support, sex education, and setting up NGOs or organizations that provide resources. Many of those who don’t support camping seem to not do much else than advocate against camping once or twice a year on social media. Seldom have I seen those same people adopt or foster. I often see a mindset of them wanting their own biological children and to leave adopting or fostering to someone else.
All this to say, I believe that this is not black and white. You can believe that human life is precious and also believe women should have a choice. You can believe that human life is precious, and also believe this is not the way.
And for goodness sack, if you’re a man I understand that you have a right to your opinions and views, but you will never go camping or be someone who is camping. And I have yet to hear about a male friend who accompanies a friend to go camp. I don’t know why this is such a difficult concept to wrap your mind around. Do better.
