Tae

I feel compelled to point out (in a hopefully non-condescending sounding way) that Lilith is Jewish mysticism – not to be confused with the Jewish religion which has several branches itself - not Christian theology and so if your relatives were playing the Christian based trivia, Eve would in fact be the right answer according to that set of standards (but that's less because I'm stuck on the religion and more because I'm a trivia pursuit nerd). I love you both dearly which I would hope would be apparent after all this time. I’m also, one should hope obviously, a Christian, though not always (or necessarily often) the best representation. I’m also at the end of a long work week at the moment, tired, and debating whether I should say anything or just skim and keep going. I don't do religious debates or ‘I’m right/you’re right/everyone’s wrong’ statements - I find them pointless. The point of my religion is freedom of choice and I adhere to that for everyone. Just as I’m well aware that any group of people, religious or otherwise, is going to have members that represent it poorly. So this is actually an 'I agree with you guys' answer. No one should force their beliefs on anyone and there are parts of the internet that I tread that are very hostile to Christianity even though they're entirely non-religious settings. We won't even talk about family. The point is when I run into rhetoric that slurs what I believe or people who try to belittle me for it or force their version of 'the truth' down my throat, I find it helps if I put things in perspective. Which is where I insert the name ‘Asia Bibi’ - which has kind of helped me realize what I need to focus on. At the end of the day, I have to learn to shrug off other people trying to tell me what's best for me off and realize that my choices are my choices and all I have to be responsible or answerable for. The same way it is for everyone else. Letting other people drag me down is giving them control and I already know they're jerks in the first place, so I don't want to give them that kind of power (which is of course, always easier said then done but I'm trying - it's not easy to stop the internal debate monologue of what I'd like to say to them however). The world is full of people that will tell you you're wrong no matter what you believe and make a stink about it. It's not fair and it sucks. But - it could be worse. I'd like to think this is less about 'I believe this vs. I believe that' for us and more of a 'there are some real assholes out there of varied flavors, let's stick together and stay sane'. We're friends not because of what we believe but because of who we are.