***Edit--I published this post last night. I was super frustrated and mad. I almost immediately took it down. But if you get my blog through reader, I'm pretty sure you still got it! I feel the same way as I did last night, but I did want to add one thing. I don't feel this way towards most people in Vermont. There have been some amazingly kind people here, who I can talk with without feeling ridiculed or looked down on. And some of the people that incited this aren't even from Vermont! I just didn't want any Vermonters to read this and feel like this was a bit put down of the state as a whole! So I'm putting it back up, with that disclaimer!***
Okay, I just need to rant. I usually try not to put too much negative on my blog or really even share my feelings too much. I don't want to be "that" blogger. But at the end of the day, it's my blog and, I suppose, I can say (or rather write) whatever I would like on it.
I am so excited to be moving back down South. And most of that is because of friends and family. And there are some things I am going to miss about being here.
But tonight I am just frustrated! I am tired of being put down and made fun of for my beliefs. It is fairly constant here. I try to be really respectful of other peoples religious and political beliefs. I pray for Obama and try not to publicly speak ill of him. I do not belittle others for having voted for him. While I don't agree with the beliefs of most of my friends and acquaintances here, I do not tell them they are wrong or stupid. I have listened and given advice for so many situations that I personally completely disagree with.
But yet, I get made fun of. My beliefs get trashed. My religion (not my personal belief but Christianity as a whole) gets made fun of in front of me. I don't understand why people think that is okay? Why can someone demand respect for their own beliefs, but yet not respect mine at all?
And as much as I just want to speak back, I know that, in most cases, the best response is to bite my tongue and try to be kind.
Aghhh! But I need to remind myself that, as a Christian, I have it really easy. No one is threatening my life. No one is physically persecuting me. I can freely practice my beliefs. And I am so thankful for that.
So perhaps you could pray for me. Pray that I would have a gracious and loving heart. Pray that I would know when to speak and when to keep quiet.
Less than 2 months...
2 comments:
Hi Marley,
This is Elisabeth from the library! I've been stalking your blog again :) All of your pictures of Jack are just so darn cute!
I just wanted to comment because I feel really bad that you seem to feel so alienated here. I wanted to speak out and let you know that I appreciate your beliefs, especially because they are so different from my own.
You are so sweet, Marley! I would never judge you or think less of you because you are Christian and conservative.
Just wanted to comment on this to say, Vermont is THE least churched state in the US. but the Christians you do find there are often very strong in their faith. Yes, the non-Christian population definitely outweighs the Christian, but lukewarm Christianity isn't popular. I have found that the opposition most Christians face in VT strengthens and matures them. Since I have been in the South I have seen a lot of watered down Christianity. Sometimes standing alone is what keeps you from falling.
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