The "Third" Option

Growing up in the church (literally) has been a very influential factor on who I am today and who I will become. From a young age, I was taught what I consider now to be passive and no matter what, to do what Jesus would do. However, I learned rather quickly that I am not Jesus and I am incapable of imitating his ways to perfection. I always questioned my elders, and I always required some sort of explanation---either that, or I would not respect and quite frankly could care less about their opinion. Being in a Black, Southern, Christian church, we are supposed to follow tradition just because this is how it is and this is how it will always be.
That's all.
That just did NOT cut it for me. I quickly became known as the trouble child.
Throughout my life, I have always been outspoken. While EXTREMELY loving and very easily hurt by those whom I love, I was never afraid to buck the system. Being sort of quiet and socially awkward, my family was really all that I had. No matter how much I was hurt, I always returned, always loved....I was taught to do so. My problem occurred when my family or church friends got so caught up in their faith, that they would turn their noses down on the rest of society and see them as "sinners"...for instance, the Bible does come against homosexuality. I get that. However, it is not my place to judge or form an opinion of someone based their sexual preferences. I don't have a heaven or hell to put them in. The Bible also states that my "sins" are just as great as theirs...as all are equal. God hates all sins. Since mine are included, if I am going to hate them, I have to hate myself as well.
Not happening.
In reality, I have found homosexuals to be some of the best and most real friends one could ever have. Because they are open and honest with themselves, they aren't afraid to be that way with others.
That's a friend.
Situations such as this have caused many conflicts between my family/church family and I---I refuse to back down. Because most Christians ARE stereotypical and love to generalize (let's be honest)....everyone else is wrong and they're right...I often found myself questioning my beliefs. Last time I checked, there were over 41,000 denominations of Christianity. Who's to say that any of it is right?
But you gotta believe in something.
I know that I don't have it all together yet, but one of the things that I have learned is to accept people for who they are and always love hard. That doesn't mean that I am not a Christian. Church has taught me (though it didn't mean to) that having my own voice is important. I can be a Christian and not be like everyone else. I believe that this theory will take me far in life and help develop me into the strong, young woman that I aspire to be.

Our Homie Poe: The Grandfather of Goth

*insert scary picture here*
*not really because I'm scared of scary stuff*

Edgar Allan Poe is our ancient, mysterious macabre lovin' short story writin' homie. Why HOMIE, you ask? Well....apparently, Americans love being scared shitless----a quality that our homie Poe invented and perfected.

Homie Poe's Stupefying Strategies:

The use of madness, uncanny sexual behaviors, fear, gore, and identity are a few of Our Homie's strategies that I would [attempt to] imitate in my 'story'...

However, because I am a young G, I have to do things a little differently.

Young G's Stupefying Strategies:

Due to the audience that horror usually draws, all people may not fully understand the depth and purpose of Our Homie's short stories. Thus, I would attempt to communicate the plot with more clarity. Also, Poe tends to end his stories with cliffhangers. If you aren't having a sequel, saga, series, part 2 or ANYTHING of the kind....THAT IS NOT OK!! I don't want to have to create an ending in my head! I'm a teenager...we do NOT like to think. Tell me what happens!!!!

                                                                            Thanks For Your Ears,
                                                                                             ~ Young G