September 6, 2006

Who I Am vs. Who You Want Me To Be

I’ve become an outsider. A minority in terms of speaking. I’m positive your wondering what the hell I’m talking about.

I’m a Republican, conservative, Catholic woman from the midwest. I go to church every Sunday. I volunteer my time to teach 8th graders about the bible and what it is to be Catholic every Wednesday evening. I don’t believe in abortion. I don’t support stem cell research. I support the war in Iraq. I don’t condone homosexuality, but I don’t condemn it either (an on the fence issue for me that I grapple with constantly).

I try my best to follow my faith. I believe in God, I practice Catholicism openly, but even I admit I struggle with it daily. Afterall, I’m a sinner like everyone else. I make mistakes and I answer for them.

I don’t understand radical leftist liberals. I get irritated whenever Ted Kennedy opens his mouth. I despise John Kerry. I’m honest about my political views and I don’t back pedal my beliefs when someone opposes my opinions.

But what I don’t understand is that when I give forth a comment about politics or religion (both very important to me), if someone doesn’t agree with me, they stop reading me. They will pretend I don’t exist. I can’t do anything about that. But I would hope that you aren’t solely judging me or reading my blog based on my political and religious beliefs.

I’m a very open-minded person. I listen to other people without bias and try to see other points of view. I try not to attack others intentionally. But yet, I’m not granted the same courtesy.

This puzzles me and also causes me to wonder: In a world as big as ours, surely there must be others who believe what I do. Speak up! Don’t be afraid to stand your ground. Don’t hide. And please don’t conform to the majority. I once did the same and found out it’s not who I am.

I am Dana and my beliefs are just as important as anyone elses. Yes, we will not always agree, we may argue and object to each other, but at the end of the day we go on believing what we know, learning about others and co-existing in this world. That’s all I can ask for.

Posted by Dana @ 10:48 AM • Religion, Uncategorized

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7 Responses to “Who I Am vs. Who You Want Me To Be”

September 6th, 2006 at 1:18 PM, Christina Says:

Hey Dana, actually you are a part of the US majority at the moment. It’s a majority of 51%, which may have slipped to a minority of 49% lately (we’ll see come November, I guess), but it is the majority that got the current leaders in their positions. We live in a very divided country.

I do have radically different beliefs than you do, but I still come here to read. We have some similar views on parenting, and we can both enjoy a good laugh about many things.

I will admit that I tend to skim some posts about your beliefs, but that’s mainly because I’m a big believer in “live and let live”. You are entitled to your opinions and beliefs (especially on your own blog) as much as I am entitled to mine. I have no wish to enter into a battle over who is right and who is wrong, so I try to leave it alone, and instead enjoy the posts that aren’t about those things.
September 6th, 2006 at 5:31 PM, Mominator Says:

Amen Girl! I feel the same way. Free speech seems to be fine unless you go against certain peoples beliefs. Keep up the good work.
Sue
September 7th, 2006 at 6:07 AM, Dana Says:

Christina! Darling! While my post was just a venting thing for two very personal friends of mine — I decided to write it generally speaking.

I know who reads and who doesn’t. And I’m so thankful fo you and all the other friends I’ve made through blogging.

There’s always the select few who e-mail mean nasty horrible things to me and I wanted to address them nicely.

I completely agree that we are not all going to agree. That we all have different beliefs and religions and political views. I just wish our country could find a way to be “team players” and not so “my way is the right way, to hell with the others.” I guess I’m just too conservative for my own good. I do try to be open and honest about what I think and somehow it still warrants nasty comments from those who disagree with me.

I always be a faithful reader of your blog. I’ve become very fond of you! -hugs-
September 8th, 2006 at 11:40 AM, Texas Mammie Says:

I am Dana and I, too can say almost the exact same things as you said…well, except the Catholic part. I’m a protestant.
I find that when I voice my political or spiritual opinions in a blog, I get very few comments, if any.
I don’t know how many Left-wing nuts I’ve ticked off, but they probably ended up at my place by accident.
When I am in my car, listening to Sean Hanity or Mark Levin, the people who call in keep me aware that there are plenty of us around.
Hang in there..
Dana, too.
September 8th, 2006 at 7:41 PM, Brighton Says:

I agree, your blog, your beliefs, your business. I read because I like your outlook on things. I have zero problem with people’s beliefs that differ with mine as long as they are not trying to shove it down my throat. You never have : )
September 10th, 2006 at 5:36 PM, mommaobrienx7 Says:

Another great post by Dana! I too share all of your beliefs. I guess us both being conservative Republicans and Catholic too gives us a lot to have in common. I agree, we should stand up for our beliefs and voice those beliefs even when faced with those who will judge us or “turn us off” when they hear them. Stand up and be heard! Every voice counts.
September 10th, 2006 at 10:47 PM, Mominator Says:

Checking in on you girl. If you are doing a tribute (I thought I saw your name on the list) I will put a link on my site.

Sue