Not going to say much...

And this is probably too much since I swore I wouldn't touch this topic with a ten-foot pole.

But I have to admit I've found it hurtful over the past few days to realise that I've been lumped together with every crazed fanatic Bible-thumper out there just because we profess to believe in the "same" God. (And for what it's worth, I don't believe for a second that the loving, caring God I believe in is the same judgemental tyrant the fanatics believe in)

It shouldn't, I know. And I should probably be a good little Catholic and turn the other cheek and not say a word. It's politically incorrect to be a Christian these days. After all, we're responsible for the Crusades, the Inquisition, and all the persecution in the whole entire world. Yup. Not human beings. No, it can't possibly be humanity that's just taking doctrine as an excuse to be wantonly cruel: it must be the religion, because no other religion at any time has ever been used as an excuse to commit atrocities.

Being "afraid" of someone because they're Christian is the same as being afraid of someone because they're black, or because they're disabled. It's ignorant and prejudiced and serves only to fuel the divisions that exist between people now. As an example: should I be afraid of all black people just because I happened to be mugged and because my attacker just happened to be black? Why then should I be afraid of all Christians just because a few Christians spouted prejudiced crap at me?

I don't like it when people come up to me and try to indoctrinate or convert me. I don't even like being told that Christianity is the one true faith and that everyone else is wrong. But I'd like at least to have my choice respected. I'd like for once not to have people roll their eyes at me as though I were some kind of moron for still believing in Christianity's God, who as far as I can tell loves everyone on earth and teaches tolerance and love above all else.

I've never attacked or despised anyone for their beliefs. It's not part of who I am. And I just wanted to point out that it hurts to have someone come out and tell me that I inspire fear in them because some narrow-minded people lied to and frightened them when they were young.

Just some fun on Y!M...

At fearsclave's request, here is a transcript of our little chat on Y!M tonight, which took a few turns for the surreal (as they always do: that's where the Dread Pirette Firewillow was born, as well as Enrique the Spanish House Elf *shudder*).

( silliness beyond )