Challenges everyday ....

[firefightermichelle]

This may be a kind of a tangent and is probably more of a statement 
than anything else ... just something I wanted to say!

Heterosexual Pagan women are pretty rare in a profession where the 
majority of people are Christian and the majority of females are 
homosexual.  Guess who doesn't talk about her beliefs (religion?) at 
work?  Yeah ... I just smile and pretend I'm just pretending to play 
the Devil's Advocate when it comes to religious discussions :)

As far as tolerance (acceptance?) goes ... I am one of the most 
tolerant and/or accepting people I know.  Most of the guys I work 
with would sleep in a different room, even if it meant giving up the 
bed they'd slept in at work for 20 years if they knew a male member 
of the crew was gay.  My roomie, who is another of the few hetero-
chicks in my department, doens't like sleeping in the same room as 
any of the lesbians that work with us.  

I'm guessing all this tolerance and acceptance stuff comes from how 
you were raised.  Or at least this is my theory.  My mom and dad 
always taught me to listen to other peoples ideas.  Learn new 
things.  Read the newspaper.  Read books.  Ask questions.  Don't be 
afraid to ask the "stupid" question.  Don't be afraid.  Stand up for 
what you believe.  Admit when you are wrong.  Say sorry.  Colour is 
something that makes pictures pretty.  Religion is having faith that 
everything will be ok, because there is something bigger than us out 
there taking care of things.

Is one belief more right than another?  Yes ... if it hurts other 
people maliciously ... Satanists offend me.  Severe Right-Wingers 
offend me .... do I think they are wrong?  well, yeah, but unless 
they are maliciously hurting others, they have as much right to 
worship whom they choose as I do.  In my world, every one has the 
right to love and be lvoed, everyone has the right to do what they 
wish, as long as it isn't hurting others.  It doesn't matter what 
your "religion" is, it doesn't matter what your "race" is, I don't 
care if you are a pygmy, albino, mutant satanist dwarf from Outer 
Mongolia ... if you aren't hurting people, you're cool :)

Ok, yeah, I'm done with my rambling for today.  

Michelle :)  <----who went to her very first Mardi Gras in New 
Orleans last weekend and only showed flesh 3 times (I'm rather proud 
of my restraint!!!)

p.s.  If you are a pygmy, albino, mutant satanist dwarf from Outer 
Mongolia, I apologize for using you as an example. :)