I would ask every one to take 1 min.

[Araki]

I would ask every one to take 1 min of thier time to remember a young girl who died a while ago but the lesson surounding the circumstances of her death should not be allowed to die. Her name was Tempest Smith and on February 20th, 2001 she killed her self in Lincoln Park, Michigan. She comited suicide directly as result of taunting of other student of Lincoln Park Middle school who mocked her because she wasdifferent and because she was Wiccan.

This is just one example of results or religios prejudice that happens every day. I you all would also join with me in a pledge I have taken.

I remember Tempest Smith.
Iremember that it's never right to make fun of someone'sbeliefs.
I remember that sticks and stones can break my bones, but names are words of power that can wound the soul.
I remember that many mocked- and one died.

I remember Tempest Smith.
I remember that it takes all types to make a world.
I remember that nature likes biodiversity. This is true of beliefs and ideas as well.
I remember that I make a better witness to my own beliefs by simply living them, not belittling others.
I remember Tempest Smith.
And I remembe that another person's belief (or nonbelief) is just as sincerely held as my own.
I remember to have the courage to say, "Hey, that's not right," when I see someone being ridiculed.
And next time I am tempted to go along with the crowd and tease someone who is "different," I will remember Tempest Smith, and I will remember my pledge. Because what is remembered lives.

P.S. this is something I have posted in all my message boards some time in February for past 5 years.

[Falconer]

I remember the pain and suffering of the Jews in Rome, Christians in Rome, the Protestants under Catholic rule, the Jews under Hitler, the capitalists under Marxist rule, and all those who have been oppressed because of what they believe in.

I pledge to remember Tempest Smith, and what she went through for being "different".

I will remember that sticks and stones may break bones, but words can grieve the heart.

[+ Silver - Orbs +]

I will remember those who've died for us to be where we are now

[vampirehunter42]

I am always saddened to see when people don't learn in time to not listen to the taunt of others. It is sad when someone that young takes their own life. And what is also sad it the adding of “ghost storiesâ€￾ to her death. I'll add her to the list of others whom have died for reasons like that. All my love goes to her family and loved ones.

Yes I did do a quick search, you didn't give much info on it.

[Araki]

yes I abreviated the info in it and just added the relivant points I wanted to make in. If I had put everything I know and have heard I could of been typing most of day and would of been a pain to read. Main points I wanted to get is for her to be remembered, and to remind everyone that prejudice of any kind leads to nothing but sorrow and pain.

[Kojack]

And they say that the U.S. is a place of religious freedom, ha.

[vampirehunter42]

Well it is. You can do have whatever beliefs you want. And you can tell them to anyone you want. But remember they have the right to tell you what they believe.

The trouble is the above story is done by 12 year olds, and the underlining story is not a story of religious tolerance but a story of peer pressure and how it effects the mind. She felt like she had no friends in the world and in that didn’t have anyone to express the feelings to. If it was not her being wicca the others would have messed with her about other things. The problem is not religious freedom or not, the problem is people allow the teasing and kidding from other children in school. Too many of the “peersâ€￾ are just kids who are riding their way through school expecting a free ride when they get out. And sadly enough not enough of the “targetsâ€￾ don’t learn they need to not listen to them and forge ahead in life. All it took was for someone to befriend her not caring what the others thought about it to help the girl. I feel for her because I know what is was like to be on the receiving end of the “massesâ€￾ and at times feel like I had no friends at times.

[Kojack]

Good point.