I was reading an article titled A Culture of Death, Not Life on Common Dreams that spoke of the Right-Wing's handling of recent events such as the Terri Schiavo cases and the death of Pope John Paul II, and I couldn't help but to notice that the author alluding to the Right-Wing and Christians being almost synonymous. This caused me to remember how I used to be.

There was a time at which I would see anything done by racists, bigots, and warmongerers and see the act as being part of being Christian. If someone wanted to restrict peoples' freedoms in the bedroom, it was because that someone was a Christian. When an abortion clinic was bombed, or evolution (or science in general) was derided, it was a Christian doing it. All the wars, suffering, library burning, and progress-stifling were the fault of Christians.

Kristen has been an enormous eye-opener for me. She has shown me that a person can be for peace and freedom and still be devout. Her selfless caring and compassion lead me to believe that those qualities are what attracts people to the idea of Jesus. She believes that religion is a person matter that should not be forced on others, especially by way of the state. She has helped me to understand that "Christian" does not mean "bigot". If ever there was a case to be made for the existence of angels, one could point to her as an example. She is my angel.

I want to say "thank you" to my sweetheart for showing me that I don't have to fall into the same hate-filled trap as the many others who have grown appalled at the state of this society. I am proud to be free.

Thank you Kristen,
I love you with all of my heart.