| vivster said: I'm always baffled by the low standards some people have when it comes to calling other people "friends". |
One of my "friends" (for his protection, let's call him Bob) had known me for years before he had his talk with me. Bob was the guy who taught me how to catch a football (non-Americans should read that as "handegg"). He helped me out when I was wet and miserable while camping in the rain. Bob helped convince me that I was smart and kind enough to teach Cub Scouts to do things like tie knots and perform basic first aid. And I helped Bob too. I helped him learn things for classes, was eager to give him a hand when he was working on a two-man job, etc. And we spent a fair amount of time discussing things like literature, nature, and the joy of altruism.
When I told Bob I was an atheist, I was not telling some stranger I met an hour ago. I was telling someone I had known, relied on, and trusted for literally years.
And he told me I was going to burn forever and would deserve it too.
Love and tolerate.
