I don't even know what to say at this point but I really need to speak my mind.

I belong to a religion. I won't say just which one yet.

But, we're a peaceful religion. We have never taken up arms in God's name.

I respect Atheists, Agnostics, and other people with all sorts of different beliefs. In many cases, Atheists are kinder to me than other religious people.

I was always told that eventually I'd come under fire for my religion. It's something everyone faces, whether you are religious or not. Other people cannot handle different beliefs.

Recently, I was attacked for being what I am by some, I guess you could call them anti's of my religion. I saw them speaking harshly about some things about us that just aren't true, so I stepped in to basically say, in a friendly way "hey, actually it's this way. We don't do that, if you were told we did then you have been lied to."

And what a storm I provoked, a storm that has been weighing over my shoulders for a while now. I just wanted to shed light on the subject, and now I feel like a fool for even attempting it.

I don't understand, and never will understand, how other "certain" religions are protected from any sort of negative speech about them, but if I try correctly informing someone of how it is in my religion, I'm yelled at, called a fool, told I'm brainwashed and stupid, and there is absolutely no law to protect me from that.

Even though the people of my religion are known the world over for helping people, there still are people who hate us, despise us, want us dead. We have never committed atrocious acts in God's name, we never wish to hurt anyone for the sake of religion.

So why, tell me why is it not okay to be what I am? To be a part of a religion that makes me happy? To be part of a religion that I believe in?

I respect their right to talk freely. Why can't they respect mine?