Mar a bhitheas vyth go bragh

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When I worked for Sony, I ran into a couple of celebrities. I've never been one for screaming or losing my dignity just because someone's famous so I have no cause to look back, embarrassed. I've talked to Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada one of the many times the Yankees were in Kansas City. Now, I'll be honest: I don't follow sports. When they came in, wearing jeans and tee-shirts, I thought that they looked familiar but I didn't want to be that girl. You know, "Oh my god! *tee hee* You look like Derek Jeter!" Fortunately, the manager was in the store and announced it over the headset. They came in, looked around and were getting ready to leave when I looked up at them, "Guys, I don't mean to be uncouth but my (then) boyfriend is a huge Yankees fan. May I have your autograph?"
Jeter looked over my shoulder, "Only if we can have a free computer."
I smiled, "Sorry. I'm not that cool."
They laughed and gave me their autographs.

I offended Jimmy John Liautaud when he came in. He wanted several things and presented a black American Express. I had no idea who he was or what this fake looking thing he handed me was so I asked to see his driver's license. He looked at me oddly but showed it anyway. Despite that, I had the highest sale that day.

I didn't get to talk to him, but Lewis Black is very quiet in person.

And the one I'm most proud of is, of course, one of my favorite authors, Patricia Kennealy- Morrison. I fell in love with her books at Emporia State but didn't think of writing to her until I found one of her websites by accident. It listed a P.O Box so I wrote her a note expressing my admiration. Not long after that, I found her 'blog and petitioned to be added to her friend's list. I've always found my interactions with her exceedingly pleasant and polite... and the best part... she interacts with her fans! There's none of the standoffishness that one associates with writers like the late J.D. Salinger.

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I have a couple. In middle school, I loved the main character of Jean Auel's Earth's Children series (which started with The Clan of the Cave Bear), Ayla. She was beautiful, extraordinarily competent and intuitive. She spurred me to try to learn a little bit of everything so I would never be at a loss.

Once I got older, I discovered Aeron Aoibhell from Patricia Kennealy-Morrison's science-fiction/fantasy hybrid series The Keltiad. The Ard-rian ("High Queen") of an interstellar empire, a Ban-draoi Domina ("Lady Woman Druid", a leader of that order) and a Fian warrior, she reminds me that strength comes from within, and passion must be guided by forethought, not simply gut reactions. I have a Spanish temper- she has an Irish temper-and she reminds me to take a deep breath and act from a position of strength instead of just anger.

I try to use their example in my every day life because I find it makes my life easier to gather knowledge and act from that instead of flying melodramatically off the handle. I admit it's easier said than done.

[Error: unknown template qotd]I grew up a devout Roman Catholic. I went through most of the sacraments, sang in the choir, brought up the offering and acted as a lector. When I hit Confirmation at 12, the lay minister teaching the class told me "Shut up. You lack faith." when I asked genuine questions about Catholic dogma. He didn't refer me to the parish priest or the Bible, just shut me down. It destroyed me. I discovered other holes in Christianity that I couldn't reconcile and stopped going willingly to Church.

I converted to Paganism at the age of 19 when my hobby of astronomy and Greek Mythology culminated in discovering that people still worshipped those Gods. Something resonated with me and I converted. I'm almost 30 and I've never looked back.

[Error: unknown template qotd]Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. As quoted from The United States Constitution.

The original motto of our country was E Pluribus Unum or "Out of many, one" referring to the strength received when many joined together for a single purpose. It wasn't until 1956 that, during the Red Scare and McCarthyism, the 84th Congress replaced E Pluribus Unum with "In God We Trust" to differentiate between Us and those "Atheistic Communists." It has withstood many challenges because the 5th Circuit Court has determined that, despite mentioning a diety foreign to non-Abrahamic religions, it does not endorse religion. (source: religioustolerance.org)

I believe that decision solidified our path down the slippery slope on which we find ourselves, especially during an election time. It seems that the candidates base their platforms on their Christianity. Every time I hear it, I want to hurl something and scream that Christianity does not possess a monopoly on principled uprightness of character. As so many know, I practice a religious philosophy other than Christianity. I am able to follow the dictates of my conscience, rather than that of the majority, because people like my father are willing to give up their rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to ensure my ability to practice what I believe correct. But what happens should a religion like Buddhism or Paganism come to represent the majority? Would our country be torn apart by those unwilling to concede leadership to someone not like them? I don't believe the religious beliefs of the President have anything to do with his or her effectiveness as a leader. One can be a good, upright and just person and be an Atheist. And while I understand at those who practice Christianity believe inherently in the rightness of their path and most have a sincere belief that bringing nonbelievers into the fold really does benefit their soul, I also believe that everyone has the divine-given right to pick their own poison. I'm not saying that religion is bad, nor am I saying that Christians are bad, but we are guaranteed the right to choose our own path. Why else were humans granted free will?

I do not believe that the United States, both as a governmental entity or as a living entity made up of 305,275,000 individuals (as of 11:33 AM CST on 28 SEP 08 according to the US Population Clock) would benefit from becoming a theocracy. We have enough issue with our status a Republican Democracy. If anyone tries to make Christianity the official religion of the United States, it would have the same effect here as the banning of religion has in China or the former USSR. Secret enclaves of religions would spring up, thus defeating the purpose. I won't force my beliefs on you if you don't force yours on me and we can agree to disagree. Pray for me, if you must, but leave my faith alone and I will fight for your right to disagree.