
(.... tolerate - a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own.)
(.... accept -to regard as true or sound; believe.)
Tolerance .... mmmmmmmm ..... sounds good, doesn't it? Shouldn't we always strive to be tolerant of others' beliefs and opinions? I think so and being a pagan witch, I would dearly love to see the entire population of the world change their intellectual viewpoints into a single goal of tolerance towards everyone. But there is a difference between tolerating and accepting.
Last evening I was discussing a difference of opinion with one of my friends and christianity was at the center of this bantering. Do I tolerate christianity? My first reaction to that question is, " Of course!". I was a christian, as were many of you, for many years. My mother taught me, as her mother had taught her and as a mother myself, I was a very strict christian mom, 24/7. My beliefs shaped our entire lives. I know how devious this group is with its members, the lies that are told, the propaganda that is spread, the guilt that is used to control as well as the fear, maybe especially the fear. Their belief system has permeated our world in every way and you can not avoid references to these beliefs as you live your daily lives, it is everywhere and it is still not enough for them. I was referred to as being passionate about christianity and I see now that I am and with good cause as I look back over my life.
Do I tolerate them? Yes. Do I accept them? No.
Do they tolerate me? No. Do they accept me? No.
Do I expect them to believe in my goddess? No.
Do they expect me to believe in their god? Yes.
Perhaps all of us feel this way toward anything that has kept us bound or has controlled us. We have shed that fear and purged ourselves of being reliant on that source. Our reaction is not one of vengence, but more of apprehension & mistrust. I know that christians think that I am on my way to hell, in fact when I was a christian, even then, I was told by another christian (a different denomination) that I was going to hell. (Yeah, christians hate each other, too.)
I will never be accepting of christians or the bible in any way. Tolerant of them always, but never accepting ... not anymore. You will never hear me quoting a bible verse, singing a traditional hymn, praying to Jesus, etc., for me to do that I would have to bend my principles to the breaking point and I refuse to that.
Moon Blessings.







