Isn't it odd? Or perhaps maybe not.

Isn't it odd how, for instance, will mention something about theists in a post that a Christian will read and automatically assume I am speaking about Christians or Christianity. I've encountered this a several times, so I am speaking from experience. And I'll admit, it annoys me.

How high and mighty on your pedestal do you have to be to naturally assume every Atheist was formerly a Christian or is ranting only against Christianity? I've mentioned being raised Jewish many times before, but I think it plays an important role in this rant.

I wear a lot of color these days but I did wear a lot of black and darker colors in middle school; I chock it up to a hormonal imbalance of being a teen. I was a big fan of the fishnets-with-combat-boots look (and still am somewhat). I distinctly remember hanging out with a mixed bunch of friends: some goth, some grungy, some hippies- a little bit of this, a little bit of that. But definitely a "rock" crowd. It was the era of hip-hop (mid 90's) so pants around one's ankles were acceptable but wearing too much black got you called a "Satanist" by the vice principal. And she was not nice about it, by any means. But I digress.

I was hanging out with a bunch of alternative friends (though that word means nothing) and some stranger came up to us preaching about Jesus, assuming we all worshiped the devil. Many argued with him that he was wrong (I had a few Wiccan friends) and the first thing I said was, "I'm Jewish".

I bring this up to further my point. First of all, why must someone assume another worships the devil because of how the/she is dressed? Goths actually tend to be rather religious, just in a dark way (because it can be pretty dark). Moreover, why must someone assume that you've strayed not from just any religion, but Christianity? It always comes down to Christianity, in America at least.

But I suppose Jews might as well be Atheists, according to a few of the Christians I've known. Not to mention Muslims, Hindus, and the list goes on and on. Then again, Protestants might as well be Atheists according to some of the Catholics I've known. Maybe its not just a Christian thing- and I've noticed it most with Christians because I'm in America. Everyone who believes in a strict interpretation of some indoctrinating book knows, just knows, that they are right. There just isn't room for uncertainty.

Yet I haven't had any Muslims or Hindus (etc) commenting on a post I write about theists, assuming I'm speaking of his/her god.

I'm tired of being told (mostly online, but not solely) that I have to accept Jesus in my heart... in addition to what I've previously described, it would make my Jewish family very upset. (My half brother converted to Christianity and though we still talk and love each other, my Dad - suffice it to say - is not happy with it at all.)

If you happen to be a theist who's responding to something I say here, please (for the love of nature) don't assume I strayed from your religion, what ever that may be.