It's not over. I'm in the South. I'd more likely be classified as a devil worshiper for reading tarot than a witch...the weird thing to me is, don't people ever watch TV? Or read anything online? I know you can't believe everything you see or read, but wouldn't it give people a broader perspective of things- IDK, it's so strange to me that people still live in their own little boxes.
Ok, first off. i want you to know that overall i agree with you. People typically sit down and let someone tell them what to think.
BUT, i do have two contentions that i want to throw out there (not directed to you specifically but on the subject.)
1.) I am getting tired of the "Dont put me in your box" line, or any box-like reference. To ask someone to not put you in their box is to effectively ask them to not even try to understand you, as it is only after we put something in our box (we all live in our own boxes btw, some of us just dont seal the lid shut. I like having multiple boxes) that we realize it doesnt fit there. THEN we can either adjust our box, find a new box for it, throw the item out cause we want nothing to do with it, or try to jam it into a place that it doesnt really fit. Most people will try to do the last option, as the first option(changing the box) is really terrifying, as basic instinct says that things that are different are potentially threatening and its better to miss a blessing than invite a disaster. Most people shudder at the concept of redifining the definitions of their lives, which is what accepting differences honestly is. I dont condone bigotry or ignorance, but it's kindofa natural process.
2.)The Abrahamic Faiths (Judiasm, Christianity, Islam) have the rep for being the most intolerant, and all the pro-tolerance people are like "BOOOO!!! YOU CANT JUDGE PEOPLE IN OTHER CULTURES!!!!" and dont realize that they are doing just that. If people REALLY respected the right to believe what you want, than by necessity, you MUST accept that some people's faith is Excusive, i.e. there is only ONE right way. The reason that Christianity (cant speak for the other two very well) has such a rep for not tolerating gays, witches, other religions, etc... is that the doctrine is effectively "These other people have all been decieved by Satan, for only God (and note, not the idea of God, but Yahweh Specifically) is holy and good and we (the church) are to cast off ALL things of the world and live to God"
Now, this doesnt condone pretty much all of the shit the church tries to pull, and, if you look, you will find that 99.3% of things the church does has NO basis in the Scriptures they claim to live their lives by, but still. The argument is getting tired, because truthfully nobody, ON EITHER SIDE is looking past what affects them personally to judge objectively.
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Sorry, i dont normally go on tirades. I am sorry that people accuse you of being a Satanist or anything else horrible they may say. But i am getting fed up with a whole bunch of shit right now and it all kinda exploded. I beg the pardon of everyone here if i stepped out of line there.