It is time to make a bold statement in a bold and public venue which is nonetheless private enough ... because none of my real-life friends read it...



I hate religion.
I hate it with a passion. I dislike Orthodox Judaism fiercely. I dislike everything about it. I dislike its misogyny and general disenfranchisement of women; its barbarism; its ridiculous, minute laws; its xenophobia; its isolationism. Its hearkening back to a patriarchal tradition. Its hallowing of texts which are filled with violence. All my friends are religious and I can't seem to respect them enough to really consider whether I am putting the right forks in the right dishwasher, to not hold hands with my notreallyboyfriend outside the house, to care about turning light switches on and off on Saturday. To respect their views on halacha. My parents desperately want me to be religious. They force my poor not-boyfriend, visiting from California, to wear a kippah at all time in the house. They cry when I express my opinions. They want so badly for me to be good like my sisters.


I'M TIRED.
I'm SICK AND TIRED OF PRETENDING IN ANY WAY THAT I CARE ABOUT THESE THINGS. HERE IS MY COMING OUT STATEMENT. I EAT CHEESEBURGERS IN PUBLIC. I KISS BOYS. I TURN LIGHTS ON ON SATURDAY. I HAVE TRIED PORK AND SHRIMP, TOO. I DON'T CARE ABOUT LEVITICUS, AND I CARE LESS ABOUT THE TALMUD - BABYLONIAN AND JERUSALMITE - AND I DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS IT.

I HATE RELIGION.

I DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD.

NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT.

SO STOP TRYING TO MAKE ME.

I WILL TRY SOMEDAY TO RESPECT YOUR VIEWS BUT I AM PISSED OFF. SO PISSED OFF. AND I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.