Wow...

Today I met probably the most intolerant woman I've ever come across. We were discussing a lot of topics in my Interpersonal Communications class this morning (I just got back from classes about half an hour ago) - among them were cultural and religious differences, and the different views people had and what influenced them. We got onto the topic of homosexuality and she practically flew off the handle about how wrong it was and how there are "strict, absolute laws" about it.

She was, of course, talking about the bible. She repeated several times that there are "strict, absolute laws" - I don't think she had any other argument against it - and I finally got sick of her and spoke up. I was respectful about it, since I have a hard time talking mean to people I don't know.

I told her not everyone believes the bible and she spouted off the "absolute laws" thing again. And I told her, "I was raised in Christian home. I know what those are. But not everyone believes in the bible. I don't. I turned my back on it."

I proceeded to give an example about someone I had known for several years - someone who is as sweet as they come, never says a cross word to anyone, just wonderful - telling me one day that she liked another girl. I had heard over and over from religious people that homosexuals are evil monsters. But this girl...she was telling me she was homosexual. That didn't add up to me, because this girl was the most wonderful person I had ever met. If she wasn't a monster - and she couldn't possibly be, sweet as she was - then maybe it was time to question what I had grown up with.

I didn't tell Miss Intolerant that she was wrong, or couldn't believe what she wanted. It was just my opinion. But oh, she got pissed. Part way through my example, I heard her say, "I'm leaving. I'm not going to listen to this."

And she stormed out of the room.

I'm amused. I pissed off someone on my first day of class just because I stated my opinion in an open discussion. And I'm proud of myself, because for the first time I didn't back down from a verbal, face to face confrontation. I stood my ground. I stood up for my beliefs. And I did it without getting upset, even though I didn't like what she was saying.

Hell, I didn't just stand up for my beliefs, but I did so in front of a bunch of other people! This wasn't a private discussion between me and the woman. I was speaking, more or less, in front of other people. Oh, I was nervous as hell and practically shaking by the time I was done, but I did it.

And you know what? Some of my classmates thought what I was said was cool. They respected the way I stated my opinions.

I feel beyond awesome right now.