Give it to me straight.

I am so sick of people thinking that because I am a Christian and because I am Republican, I am heartless. Not everyone thinks this, obviously; there are exceptions to every rule.

Since when am I supposed to be held to a higher set of rules than you? If you're atheist and thus more educated than I am, or less brainwashed, or whatever you want to think, why do you make it seem like I have to behave better than you do, or that I have to hate certain things?

Let's get one thing perfectly clear, right now.

I am a Christian. I love my God. This does not mean that I:

- Hate gays.
- Hate minorities.
- Care more about Christians than anyone else.
- Am not a humanitarian.
- Am grossly conservative.
- Do not believe in evolution.
- Hate all science teachers.
- Believe that women are less valuable than men.
- or I believe in any other radical, extreme, or otherwise bogus idea about Christians.
Just so we can get on the same page, and so that you people can stop assuming about me. It's true that in argument we make leaps and play the stereotype card, that we think that all Republicans are unfeeling and all liberals have their hearts on their sleeves. Did you ever stop to think why someone believes what they believe? Or what parts of their general belief system they disagree with?
Here's a bit of an overview on just me. I'm not speaking for anyone else. This is Nikole, talking about what she believes. No one else.

I love all people. Black, white, gay, straight, transexual, I don't really care. I just love people as a whole. You're a prep, you're a jock, you're a goth, you amaze me. I want all people to have the same love, the same opportunities that I do. I believe in the Constitution and I believe in democracy. However, I'm conservative. How does this work with being humanitarian? Well, I'll tell you. I don't want money coming out of my pocket to pay for whatever hot-button issue people are pushing these days. I want my money to go help causes, go help people that I believe in. I don't want to be paying for healthcare reform, but if someone asks me to help out with their bill for their back surgery, you can bet your sweet bippy that I will.

I'm not a radical. I believe in things that agree with the Bible, I don't believe strictly the Bible. If it came with a necessary and proper cause, yeah, that would be me. Heck, there may be teachings in the Koran that I agree with. But, I'm not a Muslim. I am a Christian.

The miracle of creation is no less amazing if it happened over millions of years or in seven days. I really don't care who is right about all of that. Honestly, I don't. I am much more concerned about my world now than I am about my world at it's beginning. Besides, in the Bible it says that God is outside of time. The two theories can in fact coexist.

I treat people like people. I've done things, been ways that are contradictory to my faith. Did you know I've kissed more girls than boys? Did you know that I believed myself bisexual for a good portion of my life? That I used to be an alcoholic? That I used to do drugs? No, you didn't? Well, then don't say I don't know what it's like. Don't say I don't understand, I have been everywhere you walk. Therefore, how can I hate you if I was you? That makes no sense.

I have been blessed with a life on both sides of the fence. I understand you. I don't hate you.
So before you ask why I am pro-gay marriage, and yet a Christian... My morals say "No." My Constitution says "Yes." "All men are created equal." Get around that, kids. How can all men be equal but some can get married and some can't?

So before you see me in the hallways, look at a cross hanging from my neck, or hear me talking about my faith with another student, please think. Don't make sweeping generalizations about me. I don't try do it to you. Of course I make mistakes. Ask me "Why?" You'll be surprised at the answer. That's the real road to tolerance, not wearing t-shirts and buying stuff. Just asking "Why?" is so much more effective.

I love you all. Does that mean I don't hate the things you do? No. I do not agree with it. I can disagree passionately. I can hate the act. Look past the act, the clothes, the make-up, the music, and love the person. That goes for all of you. Don't expect just me to follow that because I'm a Christian. I should not be held to higher standards than the rest of you. Just because I believe in my Messiah does not mean I am not human.

Thank you.