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About Me Official Beta Tester Deviant of Many Talents Ellen18/Female/Canada Group group avatar #hangintherebaby
Hang in there, baby!
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Given by ~draconess02
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Innocence

Rest in peace Graceland, we will never forget you.

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Stop Assuming!

Journal Entry: Tue Nov 17, 2009, 7:06 AM






I am Christian.

And I am tired of people assuming they know and understand me just because I'm Christian.

If you do assume that, you are sadly mistaken.

Assuming all Christians are the same is as bad as assuming all black people are the same, or all Jewish people are the same. I am fed up, because people seem to think that stereotyping and making fun of a person's race or religion is rude, disrespectful, innapropriate, and so many other things. But, well, if that person is Christian, it's all okay, isn't it? Go ahead, make fun, stereotype us, because apparently, if you're Christian, you do fit the stereotype, so it's okay. No, it's not okay. It's just as bad as any other stereotype out there, because we are NOT all the same, and the vast majority of us do NOT follow the widely publicised beliefs of the extremists, and despite the message we are trying to spread, we are discriminated against and hated because of the words of a few, especially on the internet where people feel it is safe to say hurtful things.

So stop assuming you know me.

I am not homophic. I am not against gay marriage. I support it 100%. I do not know whether being homosexual is right or wrong, and even if, hypothetically, it was wrong, I wouldn't care, because if it was, being homosexual does not hurt anybody else.

I do not believe in the Bible as literal truth. I do not believe in the Garden of Eden as literal truth. I believe in the Big Bang Theory and evolution. I believe in science. I believe that God started, guided, and shaped these processes, because even though many of these things can be explained, in a way, by science, it often doesn't make them any less miraculous. The world, and the universe, is amazing. You may be able to explain the way something works with science, but you often can't explain why it works that way, or how it came to work that way. For that, I turn to God.

I believe that science and religion do not have to be mutually exclusive.

I do not believe that a person who does not believe in God is going to Hell.

I believe that religion is the same as art. There is no right or wrong, because it is simply an expression of faith in a higher being. The name or names a person calls that being do not matter, and neither does the way in which they worship him, her, or it. We all pray to the same god, or gods, in our own way.

I don't care what a person believes, as long as they don't try to force others to believe the same as them, don't put down others because they don't believe the same, and voice their opinions politely.

I do not believe in conversion. A person can not forcibly change his or her beliefs any more than they can change their hair colour. They can die their blonde hair black, just the way they can say they believe one thing when they really believe another, but that does not change the fact that they have blonde hair. If someone is interested in Christianity, I am happy to tell them what they want to know, if I know the answer. I would never dream of trying to convert anyone.

I believe in reincarnation. I believe that everyone will continue to be reborn until they have learned the lesson that was meant for them to learn.

I do not pretend to know who or what God is. I simply choose to believe in the Christian God because that is what feels like the right thing for me.

I am not sure that God really exists.

I am ashamed of the atrocities that were, and still are, committed in the name of the Christian God, and I am often ashamed to be associated with those who would use this religion as justification to hate, hurt, and start wars.

I believe that the true meaning of Christianity is love, and that no one should be hated simply because they are different.

I am not the exception to the rule. There are many others like me who are simply too afraid to speak their true beliefs, because they will either be attacked by the atheists for believing in God and being a Christian, or they will be attacked by the extremist Christians for not following the traditional faith.

So stop assuming you know who we are. Stop assuming you know who I am. Because if you assumed the moment I said "I am Christian" that I was a homophobic pious bigotted jerk out to convert everyone, which is the image most of us are given, you would be wrong.

And to the Christians who think my beliefs are wrong, nothing you say is going to change them, so please don't try. I was asked once "wouldn't it be easier to just believe what everyone else believes?"

Yes, it might be easier, but it would be a lie, because I don't believe "what everyone else believes" and I can't force myself to believe "what everyone else believes." My beliefs are a part of who I am, and it will take a hell of a lot to change them. I'm not going to try to change your beliefs, so I appreciate you not trying to change mine.

Everyone is always welcome to ask me anything they like. I encourage you to ask me questions, if there's something you want to know. Just don't assume that because you know one thing about me, that means you know everything else as well.

I will not make assumptions about you, if you do not make assumptions about me.

----

Check out the comic I'm writing with ~draconess02: :iconpangaia-taw:

Prints! [link]

Commission information: [link]

Commissions: OPEN!

1. Kalle Karleson (can't remember dA name) Game music - 21 songs left
2. :iconinume1551: (prize) wolf, horse, and tiger, no background - half finished the wolf.
3. :iconviva100: (prize) anything - rough sketch/colouring finished
4. ~Blindfolded-Beauty (prize) digital portrait of Indiana Jones (horse) - not yet started
5. ~draconess comic dialogue/script - chapter 3 completed

Trades: closed

1. :iconbrightredrose: unicorn character (Saphire) - rough sketch/colouring finished, details started on head (WIP [link])
2. :iconwhispa2k8: two horses - not yet started, but I have an idea
3.

Requests: closed

1. :iconblackluna: Tutorial - removing background and fixing hair in photoshop (using a mouse) - not yet started.
2. :iconsnapbanditwolf: - one of her characters (can't remember which)

A proud member of:

:icon24-ctu: :iconbeautyclub: :iconbones-club: :iconclass-37: :iconcreatures-of-earth: :iconcsi-fans: :icondaparanormalsociety: :icondaramafreefeb: :iconequine-tendency: :iconequineencyclopedia: :iconequinelineart: :iconfirefly-club: :iconflower-club: :icongalaxyclub: :iconhfc: :iconhiredeviantartists: :iconjediclub: :iconlemonsquares: :iconmountainshots: :iconpanoramaclub: :iconpegasusclub: :iconpottershare: :iconsarahconnorchronicle: :iconscapes-club: :iconskyandnatureclub: :iconspace-club: :iconsupernaturalclub: :icontheknowledge1: :iconthelotrclub: :iconthenaturalbeauty: :iconthewolfpack: :icontreesclub: :iconunicorn-club: :iconwhat-lies-behind: :iconxphilesanonymous: :iconywnk:

The clubs listed above have my permission to post my artwork in their galleries.
  • Mood: Rant
  • Reading: Spook Country by William Gibson

Devious Info

  • Current Residence: middle of nowhere, ontario
  • Interests: art, writing, tennis, horseback riding
  • Favourite movie: at the moment? the Lord of the Rings
  • Favourite band or musician: um... I like too many. Maybe Nightwish?
  • Favourite genre of music: I like just about everything, except for most jazz, and some older country music
  • Favourite poet or writer: J.K. Rowling, Kathy Reichs, Kenneth Oppel...
  • Favourite style of art: Fantasy/Photorealism
  • Operating System: Mac OS X - yay for mac!
  • MP3 player of choice: iPod nano
  • Wallpaper of choice: My wallpaper changes constantly... I get bored with it easily
  • Favourite game: It all kind of depends on what my current obsession is...
  • Favourite gaming platform: Wii... wish I had one...
  • Personal Quote: The world defies all laws of basic logic just to annoy the hell out of me
  • Tools of the Trade: pencils, kneaded eraser, pencil crayon, pen and ink, tablet, photoshop

Twitter

Comments


:icontikamifirebird:
Your icon is beautiful, as is your artwork. Keep it up. :D

--
Want a free DA sub? Check out my contests![link]

"All the world's a stage. Live like its your final performance."

Icon by ~RenZie99
:iconspirit-of-the-fire:
Thanks :)

--
Looking for stock? --> [link]

Clubs --> [link]

I'm taking commissions! --> [link]
:icondalinksystem:
Thank you for the Watch. We appreciate it. :)

--
Expose Yourself. Expose Deviants. Expose Art. ~ *dALinkSystem
:iconspirit-of-the-fire:
You're welcome :)

--
Looking for stock? --> [link]

Clubs --> [link]

I'm taking commissions! --> [link]
:iconyumi-honamaru:
Thank you for the :iconplusfav:

--
"Without order, nothing can exist. Without chaos, nothing can evolve."

squish! i know you wanna...
:iconsesh-fairy:
Hello Fellow Deviant, Stef here.
I would love for you in particular to enter the contest im holding iver christmas, your works are amazing!
Just letting you know in the next couple of weeks i'll be asking my friends here at DA to post me some of there most beloved, old or new deviations, so i can select my favourite and do a big feature before Christmas. This will be a massive feature, as anyone who enters has a minimum of their favourite two works featured. Anyone else who thinks this is a good idea and wants to help me out with judging & or prizes, it would be very appreciated!







:weed:
PRIZES:
Now i'm only an ameteur so i can only offer these two prizes for the winner:

1st: 3 Month Subscrption to DeviantArt- given by myself.
2nd: An entire journal feature of the winners most beloved collections.

***And everyone that enters will be in my Christmas Feature journal & news article.***


ANYONE WISHING TO BE APART OF THIS PROJECT, PLEASE CONTACT ME. WE NEED MORE PRIZES!!

:weed:
CATEGORIES:
Instead of just doing one section for photography, i thought i'd do mixed media;the categories are below.If you want to submit something and the categories aren't below, note me and i'll add them.

*Photography
*Digital Art
*Traditional Art
*Literiture


:weed:
THEME:
Now, Christmas is a pretty fun theme, but so overdone, so,
AS OF THIS AFTERNOON I WILL BE POSTING OUT NEW THEMES TO MY WATCHERS EVER WEEK. If you want to suggest a theme, just note me with that in the header. I think this is gonna be really fun guys!


:weed:
SUMISSIONS & ENTRY:
You can send as many thumbs as you like, and i will pick atleast 2, maximum 10 for my feature. You can enter as many times as you like, just make sure to note me "Submission for Christmas Feature" or "Re-Sub For Christmas Feature" if you want to change your previous entries.


SO!
Just note me with a bit about yourself (so i can add to my feature) and your chosen thumbs and your done!

ENTRIES START TODAY, FRIDAY THE 13th NOVEMBER.
ENTRUIES CLOSE ON THE 23rd OD DECEMBER.

FEATURE WILL BE POSTED ON CHRISTMAS DAY & WINNER WILL BE NOTIFIED AND PRIZES ARRANGED ON THE FOLLOWING DAY.



Let's make this a success guys, a good competition for all, ameteurs, pro's, everybody.
And don't hesistate to contact me if i've confused you at all!


:heart:
The Sesh~Fairy


--
Win a 3 month subscription to Deviant just buy uploading a picture! Massive Chistmas Feature - Everyone who enters will have 2 of their works featured for Christmas.
:weed:Find out more here:[link]
:iconspirit-of-the-fire:
Sounds interesting. I'll definitely enter if I can find something to fit the theme :)

Where/when will the theme be up?

Also, you say you'll have new themes every week. Does that mean we can enter for each theme?

--
Looking for stock? --> [link]

Clubs --> [link]

I'm taking commissions! --> [link]
:iconsesh-fairy:
The theme will be in my journal update in about half an hour

--
Win a 3 month subscription to Deviant just buy uploading a picture! Massive Chistmas Feature - Everyone who enters will have 2 of their works featured for Christmas.
:weed:Find out more here:[link]
:iconwhispersss:
thank you for the fav:hug:

--
:D
- ~WhispersTree
-STOCK ~whynotastock
-Shop: [link]
Commission info : [link]
:iconspirit-of-the-fire:
you're welcome :)

--
Looking for stock? --> [link]

Clubs --> [link]

I'm taking commissions! --> [link]

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