I just don't understand...

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For years, many have discriminated against me because of my beliefs. I get called a heathen, a freak, a "devil-worshipper". During holidays, my Catholic family members glare at me for my "oddball ways" and hint strongly that I ought to convert before I go to hell. I've made countless enemies when my religious beliefs were revealed against my will. Hell, I've had rocks thrown at me as they call me the things they say. It's not just the Catholics either, many different people have done this to me, namely various Christians and atheists and a few others who I think worshiped some kind of clowns (don't ask, I honestly do not know). It's heartbreaking when you finally get the nerve to ask someone out just to have them scoff in your face for being the wrong religion. Just recently my brother lectured me about my "disgraceful ways" and told me all the bad things that would happen if I didn't take the REAL God back into my heart.

Why? What have I done to these people? I don't even retaliate unless it gets physical and the need to defend myself is a must. I don't bash their beliefs or try and force mine onto others. I love them as much as any other human I encounter, but frankly I'm sick of being the only one in the room who can't discuss their beliefs without getting laughed at. I'm angry that people will just treat me like crap JUST because I have different beliefs. I HATE fighting with people over something this ridiculous.

Basically my question is, why are people so willing to hate each other? It's so much harder to do and takes up so much more energy. I understand that people are afriad of what they percieve as violent and abnormal, but I'm not violent. My religion practically revolves around being peaceful and loving to others no matter what, but damnit I'm sick and tired of this. I HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG. Just because I apparently don't believe in God "the right way" and that my customs are a little different doesn't make me an abomination. As much as I hate to admit it, I pity those out there who can't just accept others and spend their lifes attacking others faith.

Don't get me wrong, I know that humans have instincts, and those instincts make them afriad of differences. I've been a little afriad of others too, but I'm not going to stone them or bash them. Are we not a civilized species?

I hope that I do not come out looking pretentious. I have been told countless times I act like I am above all humans, and if you got that idea, please forgive me.

Such is the way of the conscientious, altruistic, honest, candid, self-aware mind.

I would venture to say we walk nearly the same path (if not actually the same).

I empathize with you completely. Most religions speak peace, but those that follow practice it in neither action nor demeanor. They're kind of like salesmen; they will happily talk to you about the product as long and as in-depth as necessary so long as they feel that you might buy it. But as soon as they realize their sale isn't going through, they're a different person and suddenly their teeth are coated in venom, their visage of righteous distaste. I grew up Southern Baptist and then non-denominational, and I know what you mean. If you're in their club, everything is fine. If you're not, you might as well be in rival gang territory. It doesn't make sense to me to preach a message of open arms when they build their walls so high and thick.

I'm not sure what all I can say to salve your frustration, but knowing that there are other people out there with a similarly positive general intent in life can hopefully be a little reassuring. Where I live my beliefs contradict the majority, but I can sleep at night knowing that they don't make up the world and for the most part, people are a lot more decent by default.

Because you were (I presume?) Catholic once. Your family, at least, doesn't get how you could leave not only the Church, but Christ, and take up a non-Christian religion; they're genuinely worried for you, that your apostasy is a one-way trip to Hell; they're probably frustrated that you don't see what is so obvious to them; they don't know what to do about any of it but they want to do something; anger is an easy outlet. That's the process as I've perceived it, standing in your family's role with my brother (whom I am otherwise very close to) in yours.

I did not spot where you specify what the beliefs or nonbeliefs are.

So I cannot label you as either an enlightened being or demon deceived. I probably would not anyhow.

You need to bear in mind:

Most people believe in being in groups.

Most people have problems with those who believe otherwise than they do.

Most people have even MORE trouble if you are NOT in any group.

If you are prepared to think for yourself, and act on what you learn, you WILL be a Green Monkey - if not with family, with coworkers, if not with coworkers, with neighbours, if not with neighbours the government will get you.

Do right and accept the consequences.

There are some people who will not attack you for not conforming.

I was never Catholic. I adopted Catholic rituals for a short time while I was young after my grandmother threatened me with an eternity in hell. Once she learned I followed my mother's footsteps, she basically disowned me. Now she just assumes I am stupid and will come back to the light eventually. This depresses me greatly; she know refuses to discuss anything but religion with me and won't answer the phone 99.9% of the time.

And my brother, as much as I love the fool, is a pretentious moron who loves nothing but himself. Call me out on this if you will, but it is his fault most of this is happening anyway. He's the one who told everyone, hoping to get his "Satanic" and spoiled sister in trouble. He must have all attention on him, but he loves to see me under a harsh spotlight too. I'm sorry, I hate saying it, but quite honestly it's true.

But how does one deal with the others? I've been outcasted by many Christians for not being Christian. I've been hated by atheists for having a "God", and no one can resist teasing someone who supports gay rights and is so connected with mental disorders.

Back to the main point so I don't start a debate, I've always been taught that one must be patient and just turn the other cheek and let the major forces do their thing. That's easier said than done. I can't get revenge, because that is immoral. I can't even tell anyone or else it gets worse. No matter what it seems i am doomed to be an outcast, and Asperger's isn't helping whatsoever. I just wish I could comform, but ironically their beliefs (or lack thereof) are too far out for me (the irony is my beliefs are just as strange for them, if not more).

Why does it even matter? How does MY thoughts and MY beliefs hurt you? I do not perform sacrifices or harm others. Hell, I go out of my way to make sure I don't harm others. But I'm really starting to lose faith in the human race.

A Green Monkey? What does that mean? I assume it is negative?

Must be some sort of freaky religious thing.

(sorry, couldn't resist)

I'm sorry that your family are jerks to you about your beliefs.

I, for one, don't care what you believe.

The colloquial use of "green monkey" is foreign to me also, but I did find this that might help:


Overall, I think is just refers to "outcasts" and/or seeming "undesirables" like we have been talking about here.

Ha, that's EXACTLY what the last guy said right before I told him. He was the one who made fun of me the most.

Well, you haven't said what your system of belief is.

All of them are, one way or another, voulnerable to ridicule.

Some of them moreso by nature of being very strange or rare, or by being riddled with immediately verifiable falsehoods.

You're getting to experience what it's like to be a minority, I suppose.

A minority around jerks, anyway.

But some stuff - i mean, rastafarians believe that in the next life, the white people will be slaves. And yet there are white people who claim to be rasta.

I've been harassed for my race too, and I'm white. But that's some people for you, at least I know not all people are total racists. Still, too many are.

I feel very uncomfortable saying it, for it has only given me misery when others find out. Based on everything I believe, you could call me a Buddhist, but because of my upbringing by my Wiccan mother I have consequently adopted some of her beliefs and customs too. Like putting out food during Halloween and whatnot. There are few to no female, white Buddhists in the Midwest that are serious about it, so minority is an understatement.

If I had a nickel for everytime I've been called out for "worshipping a fat guy", I'd be wealthy enough to buy myself a hot muscle car and drive to a therapist to complain about it. He's kinda like Jesus for me because he was an important man who was Enlightened (I'd say Jesus was Enlightened if he walked the Earth (which I believe he may have), wouldn't you?) and changed the world. I follow what he taught and what I believe is right. I believe that God is no big guy up in heaven, but a part of each and every one of us. Jesus and the Buddha both fully discovered God, hence Enlightenment. Then you can go up to heaven and live happily ever after, guiding those on Earth like an angel would. I also believe in reincarnation and karma. All of these things freak people out a lot, and I now that I think of it, that IS a realyl freaky set of beliefs I have.... I am one weird 16 year old who just can't comform

Other PG rated names I get are tree hugger, hippy, Commie-Lover, witch, "that Buddhist chick", anti American, Nazi, Communist, "Eastern Oddball" (thank you father, I appreciate it), a goody two shoes for having morals and just plan psycho. I could easily call Christians weirdos for eating the flesh and blood of their undead savior, but I won't because that would be rude and offensive.

These issues suddenly seem petty. At least I'm not starving and the physical violence was minor. These people are morons, and I'm only letting them win when they get to me. They have problems too. Now I feel bad.

That's absurd. The fat guy is Hotei.

Oh, and I've been taunted for being white, but i was 5 years old and had no idea why the poly kids were calling me Haole.

I work with a lot of people from india, and one from china. And my oldest brother married a girl from india, so i have a half-indian niece and a half-indian nephew.

Buddhism looks drab and mundane compared to the complex and bizarre tapestry of east-indian faiths.

I saw papayas dressed up like a mr. potatohead to sit in for dieties at my brother's wedding ceremony and I was OK with it.

Consider joining a Unitarian Church where they encourage you to "form your own theology". You might get crap for being a Unitarian by Christians, but not from within a Unitarian Congregation for wiccan flavored Buddhism.

Haha, thank you you that. After all, the Buddha was tall and slender, or at least I picture him as such.



That's even worse in the eyes of my Catholic family. My dad would shoot me lol. I'm happy where I am.



It very much does seem very drab compared to many other religions, but it is crazy to other folk here in the west. I didn't even know it existed until I saw it on The Simpsons and realized it fit me perfectly.