Mrs. DoAsYouWouldBeDoneBy

Literary reference and religious statement all in one.

I would like to point out, so it is on record on the interweb, that I am not one for religious debate. And no, my dearest atheists, this is not because I'm scared of discovering that I'm living a lie, or am worried I will be proved wrong.

No, my reason for this is because religion in itself causes enough problems in the world without it causing domestic disputes and tension among people I spend time with. For me, Christianity is something completely personal. The majority of my friends are not practising Christian, they are a variety of undecided, Jewish, agnostic, atheist, Buddhist and Muslim. And others, most likely.

If asked a well reasoned question from a friend who is curious to find out an answer, I am more than happy to oblige and tell them what I know, or do some research and get back to them. What I disagree with is people posing questions in order to spark up a debate or argument.

One thing I believe I cannot be accused of is forcing my religion on any body (feel free to tell me if I do seem to be doing this, it's unintentional and I would want to rectify it immediately). I tend to go to church at university alone, giving others the option to come with if they have expressed a desire to, but otherwise keeping it to myself. I never in a million years would pull someone up on a comment and tell them that due to their religious beliefs they are going to hell, or some other such condemnation.

So why on earth do some people not offer me the same courtesy?

This has been sparked my something today, but it is no means a personal dig at the person in question. It happens on a semi-regular basis and to be perfectly honest I do not understand it.

As a Christian, my morality and general attitude in life develops and improves each year. Certain people will tell you how forgiving I can be. In the last year I chose to forgive someone, even when every single other person I know say that if they had been in the same situation they would not have acted in a manner as gracious and pardoning as I did. I'm a very open minded individually, I can always find the positive in experiences and every day I thank God for the beautiful people I have been lucky enough to become friends with. Religious or not, I am so happy to know them.

As was proved with original sin, and pretty much the entire of the Old Testament... Humanity is not capable of perfection. There has been one man who lived a sinless life, and because he died on a cross, everyone has the opportunity to atone their sins.

So why, when I slip up, when I make a slight comment, when I drink too much or swear, am I chastised because this is against the principles I am supposed to be following? Why does it have to come down to a religious debate, but when people who aren't religious, or aren't ready or brave enough to proclaim themselves as so, do a similar thing they don't come under this judgement of others?

What are you to gain from telling a Christian they're doing badly at their job? Do you think they'll turn round and say "Actually yes you're right, I'd much rather be a judgemental, dirty mouthed, drunkard, I'll just give up religion"

No. Every mistake is a learning curve and I plan to improve for the rest of my life. I have been a Christian for six years now. It's not always easy. (Don't get me wrong, I'm not even slightly trying to imply my life as a Christian is even comparable to those who suffer religious persecution in other countries, or even within the UK). Sometimes it's difficult to tell someone new you go to church, or that you have been baptised or you believe in God. But every year I get better at it, and I believe a lot of people respect your honesty and openness.

I will never be perfect, but I can damn well try.

All I wanted to really say from this is that I would never use someones religious choices against them - So please do the same for me. And the other Christians or Muslims or Jews or whoever you know. Discussion is always healthy, to SHARE ideas and beliefs and ways of living. Your aim should NEVER be to make someone feel inferior or bad for their beliefs, nor should they do the same to you.

Everyone is entitled their beliefs, opinions and lifestyle choices. This is mind, I hope you have yours too. I also hope you have the means to express it in a way that makes you sound as if you believe you exist on the same level as every one else, even if you disagree with them.

God bless to all those who want it, good day to all those who do not.

Amsterdam - Where you can get unlimited ribs and they still give you mints with the bill...

So back in the throes of final year studentdom, already ill and therefore behind on my to do lists and self imposed schedule (yes I am a little Hermione Granger but it's fine). So I thought I'd procrastinate a little more to share my thoughts on my recent trip to Amsterdam with best friend 4eva Sam Phelps.

My second trip to Amsterdam was always going to be different from the first. Knowing where I was going, knowing what to expect and having some sort of idea of what I wanted to do, not to mention going with one guy compared with 5 girls definitely changes how things roll.

Firstly, my travel advice is to never ever decide to go for an early flight. You do not "get a whole extra day of holiday" you just arrive groggy and tired. And baring mind my travel companion is next to useless with directions, if I hadn't already known roughly where I was going, lostness would have ensued very quickly.

Amsterdam is definitely one of my favourite cities; this time a visit to the Heineken museum and undertaking a fantastic three hour walking tour my admiration for the place has increased tenfold (as has my appreciation of beer). They are definitely a vain sort of people, but the Dutch seem to have a lot of reason to think they are the coolest people in the world: naming themselves things like "Ballsack" to spite a French king? Promising Church towers and never delivering because they 'ran out of money' after building beautiful building for mail and stuff? That's the kind of humour I can definitely appreciate.

The quirkyness of the city is also fantastic. There are 600,000 bikes in a population of 800,000 and many buildings were purposefully made crooked because architects didn't click that making the bar at the top longer would actually be a more elegant solution to winching heavy goods to the top of narrow houses.

Obviously their liberal attitude towards drugs and sex is something to be in awe of. I saw awe, just because it can be put with "ful" or "some" to mean completely the opposite thing. I'm not entirely sure I agree the prostitutes are entrepreneurs, BUT I can understand the attitude that the police have biggest fish to fry, so regularly do.

All these things make me love the city, the people and food are both fantastic. Everyone is friendly and charismatic and you can buy unlimited ribs from as little as €10.

All this said... Could I live there?

In all honesty I really don't think I could. As much as I have enjoyed every second I spent in Amsterdam both years I went - I have literally no complaints, even the weather doesn't bother me, the city just isn't me. I can be free and fun and liberal while I'm there, but in reality... I like lists and hard work and rules. I'm not alternative, and I don't really think that besides the odd city break like this it's really something that factors into my personality.

I'm not saying this is a bad thing, far from it. I'm not too pompous to enjoy myself and appreciate how awesome life is there, I just think I would find it tiring and would long for a bit of British normality.

Maybe I'm just a bit boring. But, I got my unlimited ribs so I could die happy now whether or not that's true.