mhaze,

It's strange that when I don't act like a door-mat
and dare to defend myself against any digs or attempts
to provoke me you find fault only with me. And tell me
that I'm the one being a hypocrite and intolerant.

So, you're right. It is sad. But not surprising on
this forum.

I'm pleased that you listen to your mother.
I also listen to mine.
She taught me that life is about kicking ass
not kissing it! Something I had forgotten until now.
Thanks for the reminder.

Perhaps you don't realise it, but if you admonish all others to be more tolerant and then display a lack of it yourself, you do rather leave yourself open.

mhaze,

I don't attack others.

When unnecessarily pushed too far - I respond to
attacks. Therein lies the difference. How about your record
on this forum? Are you immune to attacks? And isn't asking
for tolerance a good thing? I have also admitted my own
sins on that thread.

I have learned not to let my head down. That if I ever let my
head down it will be just to admire my shoes.

However, there is a spot of calm deep within me, from which
I don't stray too far.

cont'd ...

mhaze,

" The world is not the most pleasant place.
Eventually, your parents leave you and nobody
is going to go out of their way to protect you
unconditionally. You need to stand up for yourself
and what you believe and sometimes, pardon my language,
kick some ass."

(Queen Elizabeth II).

The Church has the right to identify its members by beliefs and life practices. To exclude a person from membership, they believe, is acting contrary to its tenants of faith and practice is not hate. Churches have many attending who are not members. I attended a church and we welcomed a cross dresser, though many women did not appreciate this.