"Nay =Nay Gallery" AJMuse1April22

Your layout is wonderful! Sorry I'm personally just getting around to checking all these. I am like you I have my beliefs and just don't understand where we have come to in society where someone voices their beliefs and the person who disagrees cannot even talk about it. Why have we come to the point of Not wanting to be friends with someone who have different views than we do? When I was younger all my best friends whom I loved and they loved and respected me even though I was considered the 'goodie two shoes' girl. I was a virgin till my wedding night and didn't drink/smoke/drugs, BUT I never put those same beliefs on my friends and expect them to think and be the same as me. THAT is what we have lost in this society and to me it is so sad.

@Sokee NO worries about you as host not commenting yet- I don't worry about that here. I just feel sad that we have lost some precious God-ordained things- allowed ourselves to be pressured into the thought pattern of only one narrative. I've always said "Say it to my face and I can respect you even when we disagree." God made us diverse in culture and with each with our own will. But these days that seems to upset or frighten so many. I for one am not giving up! Nay-nay!

I find that we are so often told about the importance of diversity, yet there is such a lack of tolerance if your opinions or stances on current issues are different from the mainstream. What do we really want? The rhetoric of the mainstream or diversity and the freedom to speak from our hearts about our convictions?

I love your take on the challenge! Your gallery approach to making your statement is a great idea! Kudos to you for taking a stand! I happen to agree with your position on these topics. You're page makes a fab visual statement!

@Smwhite Thank you, and I would say that even if we didn't agree. I believe in diversity, but not tolerance, because it has been proven that "tolerance" is selective; a true oxymoron. But I grew up in a multicultural family, have lived in 3 countries, and we have an adoptive Hispanic daughter & granddaughter. I've always loved other cultures, but I draw the line at demanding that everyone think the same- "or else". Nope. That boat won't float. Thanks for sharing.

I am truly enjoying the conversation happening here. I know fall into the category of she who throws the first stone, because I have remained ignorant of what's happening on so many levels. It is kinda like Rip Van Winkle waking up...huh? what century am I in? But knowing this about myself, I remain hidden under a rock. Thus, I admire the courage of people speaking up (my mother, for example, and you) - especially when there is risk in doing so.