Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Straight to Hell I go...

(Warning: Those easily offended by differing religious opinions should skip this blog.)

Most days it doesn’t really bother me when one of my more fundamentalist acquaintances tells me I am going to Hell for writing horror. Today isn’t one of those days. Today I find myself just a little annoyed with it all, at their presumptiveness, well-intentioned or not. They seem to think because I like ghosts and witches and things that go bumpity bump bump in the night I am some kind of Devil worshiper. This seems very prevalent amongst Fundamentalist types, non-denoms, muslims and a few others who don’t fall into the moderate spectrum of whatever faith they ascribe to. I also get it because I have friends who are of various denominations and faiths, from Wiccan to atheists.

And I have no problem with any of it as long as they aren’t trying to change or judge me. I personally judge people I associate with by the way they treat me and others, not on their particular religious viewpoint.

For the record, I am not a Satanist, Devil-worshiper or Tinkie Winkian, nor do I sacrifice virgins or small animals to Beelzebub, or sit on a mountain waiting for a spaceship to pick me up. In fact, I’m a Methodist. Who enjoys spooky things—reading them and writing them. Does not mean I am out there participating in wicked acts with naked nymphs in the woods in the dead of night (though if anyone has any info on how I might do that please lemme know…)

One particular friend thinks if I write anything but Christian-oriented material it’s evil stuff. Anything supernatural is a tool of the Big Red Horny Guy. Sex is bad too. Though how she got those kids, I’m not too sure. Sci Fi and those naughty romances fall into the same category as well. Westerns are ok as long as there are no wicked bargals or peculiar acts with horses. But horror stories about ghosts, demons and Mr. Rogers with an axe are the worst. And though she likes me and seems to go out of her way to talk to me, I think it’s only because she sees me as a poor pathetic lost soul that needs to be saved.

There are days I get sick and tired of it. And want to fire back with what the—pardon the term—hell does “Judge not lest ye be judged” mean to you anyway? And those who know how sarcastic I can be tend to wait for the word paint balls to start spewing. But I rarely say anything. Much. For one thing, it’s not worth it, and for another you can’t change their minds. I don’t want to try to change their minds anyway. It’s not my place. I try to respect their viewpoint, but that is as long as there isn’t this condescending or patronizing “You know you’re going to Hell” look on their face or in their tone.

I think the thing that tweaks me most about it is not so much the judgmental aspect. I can deal with that most of the time, as long as I am not male PMSing, because I know they truly believe what they are thinking and are passionate about it. I understand passion. As long as it doesn’t infringe on the passions of others that’s fine and even commendable. But I think it’s the fact that even after once, twice or thrice politely telling them I respect their opinion but feel different, they still go at it at every opportunity. They don’t give up. It becomes a mission. I become a mission.

But it’s beating a dead horse. Because nothing turns me off faster than someone trying to cram something down my throat. Especially a subject I might otherwise enjoy discussing with someone who wants to share and is open.

So, I guess I should ask if anyone here knows what the condo rental rates in H-E-Double Toothpicks are going for nowadays. I need something fairly cheap and I burn easy, so keep that in mind…