And if you dare call my review condescending or insulting, I will cry.
Now that I have calmed down a bit, I am perfectly ready to admit that many Christians are narrow-minded, insulting, prejudice, and quite possibly evil. But that is not the RELIGION, it's the person. I find it highly degrading to be compared to such a person. I am not an idealist, I understand that there are such people in the world. I hate reading about Christians persecuting other people. But if you think people of other religions are any different, then you are the one who is sorely mistaken. In your piece you mentioned it supposedly being ok for Christians to look down on others in this country. I can only say, if you think that's true, you are making it true. Stand up for your religion, great, I admire that, and I do apologize on behalf of all the Christians out there who truly try to follow Christ in the way of love and acceptance. But please, I am begging you, don't become so blinded by hate that you drag everyone else down. Please try to see each person as separate, and acknowledge that truly, the majority of Christians are not conniving idiots who pleasure in bringing pain to people of other religions, because that is so far from the truth. Seriously, reading your piece made me feel like throwing up, for two reasons. One is shame at the views of that woman, and the views of those Christians who somehow have lost their way and are desecrating Christ's teachings. The second was fear of the way our country is turning on each other. Who cares that our Pledge of Alleigance says 'under God.' That was added when people were worried about Communism, not to attack paganism. If you allow yourself to hate others because of things that really shouldn't make a difference, all I can see happening is further spread of discord and hate. Please, rise above what you feel about this woman. She is horrible, yes, we all agree. But you can be stronger, and accept that there are idiots out there. You don't have to be one.

Icscuse me. I can understand that you were highly insulted by what you read in that article. I was highly insulted by what I read in that article. But I have to let you know that right now, I don't see how you are any better than that woman in the article. I understand that you hate people thinking they are superior, or whatever, because of their religion. I really do. Because right now, I am so mad that my hands are shaking. And I am mad because YOU are being so blatantly disrespectful of my religion. Starting out reading this piece, which I did because I read your Cassandra story and loved it, I felt I might end up being on your side. I wanted to kick that woman's sorry butt through that courthouse window. And here I need to stop and explain something to you. I am a Catholic Christian. My PERSONAL belief, which happens to be shared by a large community of people, entails belief in God, and in Jesus Christ, and I am proud of that belief, because the message of my religion is faith, love, sacrifice for those you care for, and TOLERANCE. One of my best friends is Christian, one is Jewish, and another couple are deeply pagan. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM WITH THIS. Religion does not make a person good or bad, superior or inferior. One of our favorite things to do is discuss the similarities and differences between our religions and try to understand where each other are coming from. We do not tear each other down, we do not try to convert each other, we simply value each other's friendship and respect, even see the importance and comfort of each other's differing religions.
Now, in your piece you did mention that maybe not all Christians were like that one woman. However, you immediately contradicted yourself, and seriously made such a fool of yourself. This is a childish rant disguised as a hurt, passionate baring of some great truth. And you are totally wrong. Christianity is all about love of your neighbor. The woman in your article disgraced that ideal, and yes, is a condescending **. BUT SHE IS NOT EVERYONE. If you think that the majority of Christians feel the same way, you are sorely mistaken, and are being just as closed-minded as her. I seriously challenge you to do as you proposed and ask your Christian friends how they feel about other religions. And if you feel attacked or disrespected from this, hell yes I mean it to be attacking and disrespectful. Not of your religion, never of your religion. But completely of the narrow, condescending, attacking, hurtful view that makes you no better than the woman who offended you.

Sadly, again the adage is true: Christians are the worst advertisement for Christ ever.

From what I've observed (from afar, I live on the other side of the world from America, in New Zealand) America is going through the teething pains of secularism. I warn you: the Christians will kick up a stink at the total removal of Church from state, but ultimately, it winds up for the better. These days there are just too many religions to have one that is connected with the government, ESPECIALLY a monotheistic religion.

I can't say New Zealand's perfectly secular, we're further along than America, and the process is much harder than the reality of a secularized government.

Well, if you ever get too fed up with the Christian influence in America, I reccomend New Zealand! A lot of my friends are pagans, and they find it quite pleasant here. Other than the occasional nutjob in the Square preaching (but then again, you have to dodge the Hare Krishnas as well!) it's a reasonably religiously tolerant country! lol

Don't let anyone's harsh reviews hurt you. I think you were not insulting to Christians, for all the reasons you pointed out in your resonses (you differentiated between SOME ignorant Christians and others) and you are right to feel insulted about the woman's dig at paganism. I'd feel ** off if I were you.

And while your rant wasn't planned (as you say) I thought it was very good and well written, worthy of John Safran! (If your into religious studies and stuff and have some free time, try and get hold over the net of a series called John Safran vs God, it's bloody brilliant! A great comedic look at worldwide religions...and hey, you get to see him puke his ring out on cactus!)

the coffee fiend

I respect your views on Christianity, as, judging from your past experiences encountering us, they are not unfounded. I am glad, despite the should-I-be-offended-but-surprisingly-I-am-not content, that I read this impromptu essay, even though I was hesitant to at first, admittedly. Because I am fully aware that us Christians can be quite hypocritical at times, and I even struggle with this, as hypocrisy is what I despise having most. But this essay served to compel me to be more open minded towards other religions. Although I personally have never blatantly disrespected another religion as Miss Castillo did, I have, I admit, thought on several occasions that Christianity's the way to go, period. So thank you for that rant.

I never personally actually stopped to think of how the world may perceive of us as, or of how the attitude of some of our less than savory members could be actually pushing people away. But this only helped to make me aware, partially, of what some of us are doing wrong. Reading your responses to some of the reviewers on the next chapter, I realized just how many people were so quick to judge you when you were just expressing your belief. I am ashamed that, because of the attitude of so many false Christians, that you feel this way, but not ashamed of you/this essay, but of the many hypocritical Christians out there, who are, frankly, giving us a bad rep.

Again, I respect you, your views, and this essay. Since, if anyone bothers to actually read through this essay without automatically assuming the worst of you, it's not as if you were out to conform the world against us. You were simply ranting--and right after reading that article, too; talk about ouch. I read your essay carefully and I know perfectly well that you're not condemning Christianity. And for that, I thank you even further. This only cements my belief that you've quite an open-minded person, despite past experiences you've had of us. Truthfully, I think I can say I won't ever become one of the hypocritical Christians you’ve encountered, but neither am I a hardcore Christian. I'm still growing in my faith and continually believing in Christianity, but I can only hope that there are less of the Christians that you've described in your essay, and more of us who have more of a solid belief in Christ. Or at least, enough faith to try and act Christ-like.

Finally, it may seem odd that a Christian may continually thank you for writing this essay, but thank you (again ^^;;). I think that if more Christians actually had a chance to read this essay--REALLY read it, than it would actually be beneficial for some of said hypocritical Christians. I can't exactly describe it...but this is like a wakeup call of sorts. Oh, and, sorry if this review was just one big ramble...I've a tendency to do that, see. Plus, judging from the size of the scrollbar, this review is getting realy long...but I had to say something in response to this controversial essay of yours. But really, I’m not offended at all because of the careful consideration you’ve had for the wording of your essay, and since it’s obvious you’re not blatantly against Christianity, only some of its followers. I considered reading this essay a more enlightening experience, rather than something to rage over.

I don't know. I'm very torn with this essay. I am Pagan and my parents are Christian. I have friends who are Christian, Catholic, Pagan, and what have you. I guess I don't understand why you let the article get to you so much. I understand the way you feel and all but you're being just as bad as these kind of Christians by bad mouthing them. It doesn't make you look any better.

I have to get this off my chest, first and foremost.When I read your info, before readingthis piece, I admi, I was ready to write you off as someone who was being different for the sake of being different, rejecting the faith she was born into because it was too mainstream. Sadly, I know a few too many people in that catagory. So, I apologize for that snap judgement.yet the result of that judgement was me reading this. I figured "She's got an explanation? Hmm. Can't hurt ot read."

Dear God that woman in the article is a moron. People like her give Christians (although, in my favor, I'm Catholic) a bad name around the world. She did herself and her faith no favors by making that claim. Yes, cats have generally been associated with witchcraft. They've also been associated with various schools across teh nation. Should they giv eup their mascots as well?

Christians ( and by Christians, I refer to Protestant churchs- Catholics excluded. People don't like us much either) do get the upper hand in teh States. It's true. It's not fair, but it's true.

I disagree with part of your essay though. I've noticed that minorities, whether racial or religious, tend to get away with pulling out the "woe is me, I'm oppressed" card more often than not. White people can't hold a white pride parade- that's akin to saying that white people are supirior, omg! Whatever. Ditto for Straight Pride anything. The social norm can't get away wwith as much because it's the norm, so it should be happy and content that it has the power.

That being said, I really hate those "OMG CHRIST DIED FOR YOU" shirts.

Long story short? I agree that Christians in general are idiots. I don't agree that they get pandered to. They do have an advantage because the founders for this country as we know it were Christian, and thus incorporated their beliefs into the country itself. Sucks for immigrants who don't believe the same, but kind of hard to change.

Now in resposne to some of the points brough tup in yor response to reviews:1: I actually heard that the Church back in the old days timed its holidays around pagan holidays as a means to help with conversion. Tricky tricky.2: The "In God we Trust" I don't kno about, bu the "Under God" thing? Yeah. that was courtesy of the Knights of Columbus, a catholic organization. Modern hissy fits about it kind of ** me off, because no one's FORCING you to say it. When I was questioning my faith, I dind't. I said teh pledge without it.3: The holocaust did not have the Pope's stamp of approval. Fun fact- the second largest group of peopel killed in teh Holocaust was Catholic Priests. The Vatican itself nearabouts got invaded.

Now I admit I may be wrong in my following statement, but last I was told, my church asn't gonna burn you for not being Catholic. As long as you were a good person who was committed to their faith (and thus, how they viewed/worshipped God), you were ok in God's book. Even if that's not true, that's my view. Kinda sucks that a few whackjobs make everyone else look bad.

So. I know you likely won't update the review response page, but that's ok. I would, however, be happy ifyou responded, as you seem not only well educated, but not crazy fanatic about your belief.

BTW. Wanna see a real Christian loony? w.chick.com . That guy..wow. He's nuts. He says Catholics aren't Christian, we're pagans too. Not even gonna bother with him.

I agree wholeheartedly, even if you seemed a bit...overexcited. Not that you don't have a point. Living here in the Bible Belt, I know what you're talking about, I've dealt with the random people on the street trying to convert me or shying away when they learn I'm not as they. I've dealt with the people who try to prove that their Christianity is the only true religion, too, but...well, those are rare in my world.

I don't really know what to say except be at peace, calm, and accept it. It won't go away. The Burning Times never really ended...sure, people aren't necessarily dying but the persecution is still running strong.

BB- Arej

Thank you for writing such an essay, I experience some of the same things at my school too. As the only Jew among 4,0 "Believers in Jesus", (Here I am using this phrase to show that they all believe in Jesus being the Messiah, because I don't know all the names of their churches) I have been frequently asked why I don't believe in Christ, why I should be given special privileges, and why I didn't believe in God.

Naturally, this made me pretty upset. (Seeing how I do believe in God and my so-called "special privileges" were not singing songs about how "Christ is the Lord”)Now I only ask you this. If "Christians" are so loving and kind...why did a minister/priest tell my little sister that she was going to hell, that's right hell, because she was a Jew? SHE WAS IN SECOND GRADE!

So other then just ranting my head off, I'll sum up my entire review with these parting words.Thank you for writing this, and have a nice day. YOU ROCK!!

I am also a Pagan (worshipping the Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses) and I used to get alot of crap from people. Now, most of them are leaving me alone. The most recent thing was someone called tarot cards witchcraft, when in fact, it is a form of Divination (think outside of Harry Potter right now)along with tea-leaf reading,crystal ball gazing, incense reading (which I can do) and any other fortune telling.

To all those who say that Christians get oppressed and that when other religions put up their symbols, they don't get taken down, **. Other religions haven't put their symbols on government property.

I especially hate it when people say that Christianity is superior and has been around for a long time. Paganism is the oldest religion and the base of almost all religions (keyword ALMOST).

I do have Christian friends and my whole family on my mum's side is Christian. We just don't get into religious debates.

My school is pretty tolerant about religion. The only thing that irks me is how the people (yes even the teachers) make fun of the other religions. Today,in Western/Eastern Hemisphere class,we were studying Islam and my teacher was making noises out of a rolled piece of paper to represent the prayers and basically made fun of it. That irked me.

To the person who complained about the Muslim kid who got his own prayer room, read the five pillars of Islam. Seriously,do that. One of the pillars is prayer and the serious Muslims pray five times a day and the prayers last for a few minutes. He was only following his religious duty, as would you if the bible told you to pray five times a day at certain times.

Going a bit off topic here (and not to offend anyone), I was laughing at the end of Kingdom of Heaven when the Christians lost Jerusalem. The Muslim leader Sala-hadin (I am not sure how to spell his name)let the Christians leave unharmed. Whereas, the Christians would have killed all the Muslims. Is that not ironic? Muslims are thought of as terrorists and Christians are supposed to be peaceful. Ha!

Well,enough ranting. I enjoyed the essay Alyx Bradford.

I know what you mean by this. It happens not just in "Democratic,Free, Secular" America, but in most parts of the world. I have been living in India for a while. One of our (government)party leaders told Hindus (the majority in India) to "abandon family planning" because it seemed that the Muslim population would outgrow the Hindu one. I am a Hindu and India is supposed to be secular. It was an insult. Anyways, who wants a growing population in an already humungous India?

I get this. In Britain you get less of this crap, but there are still the crazies who just assume Pagan = devil worship without even researching our beliefs. One website you might find helpful is w.Gatheringspace.org - it's trying to unite the Pagan and Christian comunities and stop spreading myths about both of our religions.

Happy yule.

You know, normally I try to avoid talking about Christianity, but reading this essay was actually quite refreshing. I, myself, am not in any way remotely Christian, but when I was younger, I used to read different bibles to try and figure out why someone would actually WANT to believe in such a religion. The whole thing makes absolutely no ** sense! I won't go whole full fledged rant on you unless you email me to let me know you want to hear me rant. If you can't see the little email address note thingy, my email address is tempistdragon@yahoo.com. P.S. Your rant was rather short, but it did a very good job pointing out the high and mighty attitude of Christianity. Don't even get me started on witches and the devil.

Well said, Sister.and... lmao."Insulted, my lily-white pagan **. "Thank you for writing this essay! Brilliant.

Bravo. No, seriously, bravo.

I don't think I've ever enjoyed reading an essay so much as right now.

It's ironic, too, because I'm a Jesuit (raised one, at least), thus a defender of christianity. However, let me say that you a perfectly correct. We did steal the pagan holidays and transcribed them to our own. We do, in a very delicate sense, worship a dead and resurrected deity (though maybe next time, putting it a little more delicately would work, mm?), and unfortunately, there are more morons amongst us Christians than tolerants.

It's quite sad when you become ashamed of your fellow believers, but it's something I go through every day. It's good to know there are others out there who actually care enough to bash the morons.

And, well, even if you are pagan,

Go with God.

In nomine patris, et fili, et spirictus sanctis. Amen.

HIYA! I must say, this essay would have to be one of the most controversial essay I've read in a long time! (beams)

Oh, and also: YOU GO GIRL!! WOOT!

Man, incredible essay. Your views were expressed as you felt them; no one should condemn you for that! Also, you CLEARLY STATED (several times, in fact) that you used "Christians" as a general term, not applying to all Christians.

And I agree with you on several points. I can't say I'm picking sides (althogh, paganism and religions similar to it sem to be slightly underdogged [I don't think underdogged's a word . . .]), but a lot of the things you said were absoloutley true!

Oh, and I would like to say that I have no religion. I'm afraid I don't believe in organized religion (winces at angry catcallsthat I KNOW some of you out there are dying to make). In fact, I've hopped from one religion to another. It's fun, you should try it! You learn alot!

Now, your essay was brilliant and I'm glad you let your feelings out. Prejudism is a cancer. (blah, bad analogy) To put it simply, it's a horrible thing to be!!

So, I hope I didn't offend anyone with my review! (;3) And I hope to see something like this again! Rants are SO much fun, aren't they?!

Ta!~Para Noya~