The Catholic Vampire
A Concern for Tolerance and Respect
The following article reflects the author's own personal
beliefs and should not be placed as those beliefs of the Vampire
Church as a whole.
Impossible, strange, ridiculous, unusual. These are the responses
that I have come across in the last couple of years when telling
vampires that I am Catholic, and Catholic/Christians that I am a
vampire. This is a very sensitive subject for many and
understandably so. We all are entitled to our beliefs and should not
feel ashamed to be who we are. While I have come across very few
vampires who are Catholic, I have come across many who are Pagan. I
have a very deep respect for Paganism and have many friends who
happen to be Pagan. I also have learned so much from them along with
the discovery of a commonality between Paganism and Catholicism when
it comes to rituals, prayer work, and morals. It is through both
that I have found a balance within myself.
Why all this religious talk? Well, it's to bring out a point
and a very big misconception that vampirism shapes what belief system
that you "must" or "should" have. This kind of thinking leads into
stereotypes that all vampires are seen as evil satanic worshipers.
It goes both ways folks. If vampires who are Pagan rip on or tear
into those that are Catholic because of events throughout history and
today in which that individual wasn't even a part of, what makes some
Pagan vampires think that they aren't open to the same type of
criticism. It is sad and very unfortunate when this happens. I
remember the first time I told a friend of mine that I was a vampire
and she asked, "So are you, like still Catholic?" I answered back to
her, "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" She kind of gave me a
shrug and a "Well because" sort of answer in which she couldn't even
finish off.
So here is what I would like to very much point out to many;
Religion is a choice, vampirism is not. We come in every race,
religion, and creed. Vampirism is about the need for energy because
of a deficiency that we are born with, which affects us mentally and
physically. Therefore, we must use alternative outside sources to
feed from in order to fulfill our energy need. Narrow and closed-
minded thinking helps no one in the end. As a community, we need to
be willing to learn from each other in order to grow. And we need to
respect one another for their beliefs in order to stay strong.
Always learning,
Chrystal Vitale
VC Associate
VC Offline Rep of NY
April 17, 2004
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