Monday, May 30, 2011

Bigotry 101

Before we start off here: THIS IS NOT A FORUM TO DEBATE DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. This is about one commenter's small-minded stupidity.


Brycie is the lovely and talented gal behind Reenie Jae Creations . She took a quick break from her normal crafting posts to write about something in her life that she was excited about.  One of her readers did not share Brycie's enthusiasm.  However, rather than politely keep quiet and wait until the next crafting post was published, the reader sent Brycie the following email:


I do so enjoy your blog, but was saddened to hear that you are LDS. To find out that someone of your spunk, sass and creativity has been sucked into the most UNTRUTHFUL church known to man, it just breaks my heart. Can you not see the falsehood of your “church”? The lies and deception they spew? And to be excited about a worldwide broadcast event of lies, is just sad. There are many places you can find the truth and many organizations in Utah that can help you if you want to escape the grasps of the evil. Don’t be afraid to seek the truth.  I pray that you may find the truth in your life and be lead unto Christ, the REAL and TRUE Christ. God Bless.
And ps. I am not so sure I will be reading your blog anymore. I have no desire to read posts about a false church.
Concerned Christian



Brycie says:

Dear Concerned Christian,
Thanks so much for enjoying my BLOG! I appreciate that! Though I am saddened to hear that you have stopped reading it on account of my religious belief. In my book that would be under the category of bigotry, don't you think? I mean if stopped reading blogs I loved just because they weren't the same religion or didn't have the exact same belief as myself, I would basically have no blogs to read or follow. Not to mention that would be completely idiotic! I mean we are crafters! Isn't that something we can share DESPITE religion or beliefs? Isn't that the ONE thing that does connect us?  It really is sad to think THAT is what stopped you from reading my blog, not that you thought I was tacky or untalented or boring, but because of bigotry! WOW! Sad.

Viv says:
A bigot is a person who is so devoted to their own beliefs and opinions that they are irrationally intolerant of anyone who looks or thinks differently than they do.  Concerned Christian...? Um, you meet all the criteria.  You're a bigot.  Sorry.   Time for some self-reflection. 

Mandi says:
Bigot: A conjunction of the 2 word Big and Idiot. Hows that for a definition sucka?

I think that Brycie pretty much said it all.  I too have had people "unfollow" my blog because of my religion. ITS HER BLOG which means that its a direct refection of Brycie. She can post about whatever she wants. If you have an issue with it, why do you feel like its so necessary to explain?  Do you think she writes her blog solely for you Miss Concerned Christian to read? Cause news flash, she doesn't.  It does zero good to pull people down with your rudeness.  We are all different, every single one of us believe different things, geez stop projecting your mad issues on others. 



REMEMBER: this is NOT a debate about religion. Any comments using this post as a platform for their religious views or slamming other's views will be deleted.  Understood? Great! Then with that out of the way...
What do you say?

35 comments:

Unknown said...

Big+Idiot is a good definition. Intolerance is such a narrow world to live in. Your ability to craft and create and share and educate others in how to improve the looks of their homes or to make something beautiful has nothing to do with your personal beliefs. However, to expect someone to separate something that is clearly a deeply personal part of them from what they are doing is plain silly. Time to take a big 'ol chill pill Miss "I don't really understand what Christianity Means."

scarlettred41816@aol.com said...

What a elegant and concise response Brycie said. The bigot wouldn't have want to hear what I would have said lol!

If you are a christian, aren't you supposed to love everyone??? That's what I was taught!

Heather said...

I love the bigot = big + idiot definition. Its so apt. :)

I saw a great shirt the other day at a street fair. It said - Just because you go to church every Sunday, doesn't make you Christian.

Perhaps Concerned should spend some time in reflection.

Karen said...

It always makes me cringe when I see hate. But I double cringe when I see religion being used to foment hate and intolerance.

kamcicle said...

what makes me mad is when people are so convinced of their "rightness" that they feel compelled to tell others of their "wrongness". where does that fit into christianity? or into being a good person for that matter? people really do suck sometimes.

Unknown said...

Brycie, as I Christian, it makes me sad to see such comments from this person. And while I can't speak for this person, I apologize on behalf of "christians" for her "concerned" behavior which is nothing more than the OPPOSITE of what we as Christians believe. Which is LOVE everyone and show love to everyone. While I am not LDS, I would NEVER stop following a blog just based on religious differences alone. The only exception would be if I felt they were bashing MY beliefs, which I certainly don't think you would ever do, nor would any of the other FABULOUS crafter bloggers. You are a craft blogger and if they don't want your creativity because of your beliefs then it's their loss! I for one love getting inspiration from ANYONE! Take heart, and keep crafting!!

Allison said...

I loved the Big Idiot definition!! That made me laugh uncontrolably (sp?)!! I'm just happy to know that Brycie is not ashamed of her beliefs and is confident enough with what she believes in to share them. Congratulations to you!! There are so many people that are afraid of offending people with their beliefs that they keep their mouths shut. I will be following your blog!! Keep up the awesome work and be yourself!!

Meghan Grace said...

Hearing this really makes me sad as well. I was taught, as a Christian, to love everyone. I am really sorry, Brycie, that you had to run into someone like that. Your blog is a wonderful inspiration to me!

Judy C said...

I have known people who act that way. My way or wrong. I have definitely known them. But I don't miss them.

Jayna Rae said...

Mandi's definition is HILARIOUS!. BTW- she must unfollow a TON of blogs. There are many blogs written by talented LDS women. It was actually one of the first things that I noticed when I started blogging. Of course there are several awesome blogs by women who are Christian, Muslim, etc. So sad that she couldn't keep silent. Why don't people bow out silently?

Unknown said...

Man, Concerned Christian is missing out on some awesome craft blogs. I told ya Mandi, it's a genetic thing with y'all. ;P

And on deeper note, a big heavy sigh was felt in my heart when I read Concerned Christians comment. I am not LDS, but I would never unfollow or unfriend someone for being a Mormon. Christ wouldn't do that either, and as a Christian I am called to love others not put them down or turn away from them because they think differently, act differently or believe differently...Concerned Christian's comment just makes me sad.

Chris said...

Brycie provided an excellent response, but the fact is, small minded people will remain just that. Small minded. The person who posted the comment clearly is too wrapped up in being a 'concerned' Christian to be a Christian. It is sad.

Unknown said...

So sad that concerned "Christian" took the time to not only slam a fellow Christian. But single-handedly make other Christians look bad. So sad.

And duh, doesn't she realize that some of the best bloggers out there are LDS? Guess she won't be reading much blogs, huh...

Karri said...

Wow - I'll never understand the need to put someone down. That's certainly not a Christian thing to do. No Grace there. Not cool.

The Rusty Bucket said...

I love, love, love your blog! I think it is so important that it shows other bloggers that if they get mail like this, they aren't alone. Thank you for what you do!
Along that line, I have been recently awarded The Versatile Blogger badge and I would like to pass it on to you. Please visit my latest post for details.
www.rusty-bucket.blogsot.com
-Bethanie

Jessa Smith said...

I applaud Brycie for being able to hold it together and reply in a dignified manner. Being an LDS member it hurts my feelings to read such hateful remarks. Maybe it's best that this person does stop reading, there will be one less place this person will be spewing negativity on the internet.

Myya said...

COMPLETE bigotry for sure!! Gosh if I stopped following all my LDS friends I'd have very few blogs left to follow. I am not LDS and I find all of the blog gals that I do follow to be wonderful, creative, inspiring women despite AND because of thier religion. It is a sad sad world that in this day we still have issues because of race, gender & religion.

Indiri Wood said...

Many of the blogs that I follow mention something about their religion once in a while (a few regularly). I'm not religious myself but I see no reason to skip their blog because of it. I just skip that one post. No big deal, right?

I posted on my blog a while back that I don't observe a major religion and got a couple random odd posts from people who apparently just search the "find blog" thing for religion topics and spam other people's blogs. Kinda sad.

Brycie @ Reenie Jae Creations said...

Thanks everyone for all your awesomeness! Ya'll are lovely! I def didn't let the "Concerned Christian" put a damper on my blog, THAT'S for sure! Why be worried what one person says, when there is 5 more to take her place that actually like me FOR ME!

Much Love,

Brycie

reeniejaecreations.blogspot.com

Serendipity Chic Design said...

One word for the "concerned christian"...IGNORANT!

Good Time Charlie said...

Wow, I am surprised there are people following cute crafting blogs who know that we aren't all MORMONS!!! Even if you think the person writing isn't Mormon, it is a front. We truly run the craft blog world. What a wonderful, and might I add "Christ like" response she gave to such a clearly misguided soul. Well, have to go now. My 7 sister wives need their turn on the computer. Just kidding!

MeMeSue said...

WoW....is all I got!!

Green Horn said...

Saw a funny bumper sticker yesterday that really fits this situation:

The Lord is looking for spiritual fruits,
Not religious nuts!

HeeHee!

Dharma said...

@ Green Horn - BINGO!

Melissa O said...

Misery loves company. This lady sounds miserable. And knowing Christ in a personal level would never make you miserable. Makes me quite sad.

Go any religion bloggers. We rock. Nuff said.

Marci said...

don't true christians...i believe that is a follower of christ...have nothing but love and compassion for their fellow men?? mormon or not?
people drive me NUTS!!!!

April said...

Hmmm....Concerned Christian needs to revisit the definition of Christian. I'm actually glad she stopped reading the blog. Now maybe she will have some time to read her Bible and find out how Christians are supposed to behave!

Erica @ Acire Adventures said...

I just discovered this gem on Mandi's sidebar. Awesome! This post really caught my eye because of the topic. As I've gotten more into the blogging community more, I've found it interesting how there are so many crafty ladies with so much in common, but different religious beliefs. It's totally tacky that a commenter thought that a difference in religious beliefs has anything to do with the rest of the content on the blog. Maybe if Brycie were denouncing Christ, then there would be a reason for someone to speak against it. But really? It's just so uncalled for.

Love what Green Horn said. :)

Sandy & Butch said...

Brycie gave a very tactful answer. Showing she has more grace and concern for the "Concerned Christian" than "CC" did for her. Kudos! Also, most of the BEST (and my favorite) DIY blogs out there are written by LDS ladies, I've noticed. My only thought on that is "Those LDS ladies ROCK in the DIY department!" Keep up the inspiring work and don't let the few haters get you down.

~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog* said...

I'm not LDS. I've researched it and could debate its fundamentals with people. But I'm not going to.

Some of my fave blogs that I follow ARE run by LDS people. I enjoy their posts and their amazing crafty talents.

I wouldn't feel comfortable in their church, nor would they feel comfortable in mine.

And that is okay.

We can still feel comfortable at each others blogs. :)

I don't know what religion my followers are, but all are welcome. :)

Malory {Snips & Spice} said...

I don't understand people who let others' beleifs impact their lives so much. I blog about crafts and recipes, but on one post I mentioned that I made the recipe for the missionaries, and I lost several followers that day. What a bummer.

I feel for you Brycie Jean.

Dawn said...

Please excuse me if I'm repeating something said by another commenter, but my question is this; WHY do so many people miss the passage in the Bible that reminds us "Judge not lest ye be judged????"

Miranda said...

One word, RUDE!!
Just because someone does not share the same beliefs as you does not mean that they have to be rude about it! All of us Christians are on the same team. Wow.
Miranda
alloftheaddressesaretaken.blogspot.com

rachel blazer said...

brycie responded really well- i can't believe that anyone of any spiritual background would think a blog comment was an appropriate place to evangelize (if you could call it that)! that's sad...

Laura said...

I have been so moved and motivated by many blogs written by LDS ladies. Not only are they crafty as can be, but they display a great love for their families and a true value in the role of homemaker. What a great example they are for all of us!