To Each, Their Own...

Agnosticism:
(Greek: α- a-, without + γνώσις gnōsis, knowledge; after Gnosticism)
is the philosophical view that the truth value of certain claims — particularly metaphysical claims regarding theology, afterlife or the existence of deities, ghosts, or even ultimate reality — is unknown or, depending on the form of agnosticism, inherently impossible to prove or disprove.
(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnosticism)

I was raised by a Christian mother and a father that spurned anything religious but had no real viewpoint, except that he had no tolerance for Catholicism, the religion in which he was raised. Despite my mother's deeply seeded Christian faith, she still taught her children the basis of other religious belief systems; thusly, she taught her children tolerance. It is tolerance that likely bred my agnostic philosophical views, particularly in regards to religious belief.

As whack as my mother is on multiple levels (you think I'm joking!), she somehow managed to bestow upon me some highly important values that I hold close to me. Tolerance, in multiple facets, is one of these values in which I find myself following daily. Whether it be tolerance of religion, culture, political viewpoints, etc. I often find myself chanting the mental reminder "to each his own". Although, it is days like today, Easter Sunday, where I find I have some difficulty with being tolerant of all others I come into contact with.

As I wake with my morning coffee noshing on leftover Tropical Dots that weren't used to make eyes and a nose on the Bunny Cake I baked last evening, I login to my current addiction, Twitter. I begin tweeting away at my tweople, and then suddenly, I get a tweet from someone that I don't even follow, nor do they follow me. The tweet had a link within it, which I clicked, that took me to a religious page explaining the purpose of Easter and what it really celebrates. Mind you, I joke about being a heathen, even a paganistic infidel, but it doesn't mean that I don't understand Christian scripture. I even understand the basis of multiple religious beliefs and holidays that are outside of Christianity such as Judaism, Islam, Hindu, et.al. So, why on earth does some bible-thumping, higher-than-thou, close-minded, psuedo-Christian think they need to "share the gospel" of THEIR Lord, Jesus Christ with me? ...Clearly, this is where tolerance becomes challenging.

In no other religion outside of the Christian faith have I experienced with such regularity "witnessing" being lunged toward me like I jagged chard of glass from a broken mirror. Mind, I often participate in regilous conversations with friends of varying cultures and backgrounds - I find religion fascinating. The practices, beliefs, stories, etc. - they all have both shared and unique perspectives that I greatly enjoy discussing. However, it is only the bible-toting that annoy the beejesus outta me and push my level of tolerance to such a degree that I cannot often contain myself. Why, you ask? Rather than holding an open conversation of religious viewpoints, they attempt to shove their gospel down my throat til I'm near choking and often are not open-minded to other perspectives or ideals. Their way is the "right" and "only" way. To this, I do not agree nor will I ever be converted.

So, if you're looking to "share the good word" or "spread the joy" or wanna ask me "WWJD?", I've heard it, I've discussed it and I really don't give a rat's ass what a simple carpenter would do in any given situation (no offense to carpetners, I have a fondness for them for other reasons ;o))

Happy Easter to those that celebrate and to my fellow heathens, don't overdo the chocolate!

Check this song out: FEAR, Ian Brown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVJJ0UNhj5k
Very appropriate, thanks @DaveHammond67 ;o)