Those darn Herper Haters...

Ok. So I am 17 and a senior in highschool. I have a totally awesome guy that loves me very much and some really great friends. But at school its a different feeling. People at my school torment me for my religion and my love of snakes... They call me a devil worshiper and I'm not... I dont belive in satan.. I am an Elementalist and its a complete coinkidink that I love snakes. Me being a strand of Pagan has nothing to do with it. Reptiles are awesome! And people in kansas just don't get it, there is way to much hype about Reptiles being "discusting" and "unclean" for them to even consider liking snakes... Around here the first reaction to seeing a snake is to get a shovel. Its aweful i know... I dont bother anyone, in fact I never talk to people that arn't my friends cause everyone else hates me... literally. I hate Kansas. I really want to move to California as soon as I am old enough. I just wish people would understand differences better. I wish that they could see what wonderfully beautiful Reptiles truly are. So this year, my friends and I are bringing our Reptiles to the RenFest this year and educate the over the top republicans of Kansas that Herps really are amazing. Not just the snake in the story of adam and eve. They need to realize that snakes arnt evil! :soapbx: ... ((sorry I had to rant so much.. Its been bugging me for months.. and I know some of you have had problems with dum dumms :irkd:...))

who cares what people think. let them think you worship the devil and scare the crap out of them. thats what id do. i loved to mess with all the preppy kids at school

I know that it bothers you, but I would try not to really worry about what everyone else there thinks. Just focus on your real friends, and ignore everyone else. Alot of people will fear or poke fun of stuff that they really don;t know anything about or anything that is not mainstream, which is really such a shame. It is too bad that in this day and age people can't seem to be a little more openminded about stuff, or take the time to learn a thing or two about something before they run off making all kinds of false assumptions about things.
But really, I wouldn't even worry about them, there are so many other things to be concerned with during senior year. But I do applaud you and your friends for wanting to educate the public about reptiles. :clap: :clap:

I forget who has it as there sig. but someone on this site has a phase that goes something like this...

"Do what you want and say how you feel, because the people that matter don't care, and the the people that care don't matter "

I may have that backwards, but either way I couldn't believe it more. As hard as it may be try to ignore it. I know I cared more about what people thought when I was your age. I'm 23 right now and like Eminem once said, "I just don't give a (fill in with a 4 letter word of your choice)". In all honesty you already said you have all you need, friends. When the only friends you have are snakes then you should start to worry :P

Be who you are and follow your heart! When it all comes down to it our individuality is what makes us who we are. There are millions of people who think and feel what you do, unfortunately they are not in your high school. High school is a very small part of a very big world. It won't be forever. it will all work out. don't lower yourself to the standards of the ignorant. If you do they win.

Aww thanks everyone.. I really needed that today! You guys are awesome! Rock on! thanks for everything.

I don't really have that problem here, but I do know how you feel. My whole family is like people where you are. As are some of my friend's parents. My friends father would not let my friend babysit another friends snake because he considered them to be damned by god and pure evil. Satan's minions if you will. So yea, know where you are coming from. I would ignore them and try educating those people who are willing to listen to you. Its great you are taking your herps to a RenFest. (I've always wanted to go to one of those, but I'm in Virginia, and have no idea where they are held) It'll be a great opportunity for you to educate people about reptiles. :rockon:

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Originally Posted by RoyalGuardian

I have a totally awesome guy that loves me very much and some really great friends.

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Pretty much the most important things in life - and if treated right they will last that long as well.

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Originally Posted by RoyalGuardian

They call me a devil worshiper and I'm not... I dont belive in satan..

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It's a fact that seems to escape most people - only christians can be satanists as christianity is the only religion in which he appears. It has to be said it annoys most of the people who call themselves satanists when you point it out as well.

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Originally Posted by RoyalGuardian

Around here the first reaction to seeing a snake is to get a shovel.

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It's probably a subconcious reaction to the amount of bullhooey they know they are about to spout. I find being a polite,rational and considerate human being at this point can irritate them to the point of appoplexy. On occasion my other reaction of pointing and laughing has had unfortunate side effects.

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Originally Posted by RoyalGuardian

So this year, my friends and I are bringing our Reptiles to the RenFest this year and educate the over the top republicans of Kansas that Herps really are amazing.

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An extremely good idea indeed. Search the forums as quite a few of our members have done similar things at schools and there was some great advice on how to ensure things went well and all the points that needed to be considered.

Hang in there - it generally gets better when the people around you start growing up a little.


dr del

as long as the people you care about aren't worried, then you shouldn't be. Kids are petty, don't even sweat it. Some stay that way, and some grow up, it's just how it is.

But about bringing the snakes, just be very cautious, because some people may have... strong reactions to them. Especially after reading the story about the kid stomping the retic I've been thinking about herps in public more.

If anyone harms even one scale on our babies we will stomp them. We are all very protective of our herp babies as is everyone who owns one.

Just be careful, all it takes is one mishap.

Luckily I haven't run into anyone who hates snakes. I've seen a few who are uncomfortable around em or are scared. I wish you luck bringing them to the RenFest. :rockon: I doubt I'd be brave enough to bring my girl out in what isn't exactly the most reptile friendly environment.

Aww hon, *hugs* I, as well as some others here on BP know how you feel.
Although with me, it's the other side of the fence. I am very much a God believing, bible reading, takin' my faith and beliefs seriously kind of woman and all of the "christains" think I am going to hell because I keep "the devil's serpents" in my home (and give them kisses). :rolleyes:
Oh, and that I TEACH my children that they are beautiful pieces of God's masterful artwork and that He loves them just as much as we do. :D

Yeppers, I'm condemned for sure.... I hope they have snakes in Hell... and tarantulas. :carrot:

Don't even give people like that the time of day. Ignorance runs amuk these days and people like that are fine examples of the ones "born every minute". ;)

Well it seems to me that if someone hates snakes because of the whole Eve and the apple deal, then I'd ask them if they disrespect their mother (she's after all a woman), refuse to eat apple pies (they are after all made of apples which MUST be a wicked fruit) and don't sit under a shade tree (bad trees that made apples and allowed a snake to be in one!). It's really just that ridiculous when you think about it.

As far as people being stupid about snakes, hon that won't change. People are people and all you can do is enjoy your snake, be a responsible owner and do what educating you feel you want or can do. Be very careful of the Renfest. While it's great to educate, your snake's needs come first. Big, crowded events with crazy temps may not be the best thing for the snake unless you make very special plans for it.

Wise words someone once shared with me. When somone says something rude, offensive, hurtful or just plain stupid to me, I remember it - "consider the source". Really helped me realize that most people are talking out of their butts and their opinion doesn't necessarily mean much nor should it affect my decisions or self-worth. :)

AHHH! highschool is so full of drama!!! You gotta believe that when you get out you'll laugh at the thought of highschool being "serious" and a "HUGE" part of your life. Most likely, 4 years after you graduate, you won't even know the same people you did in highschool. I'm at that mark right now, and only a few really tight friends still talk to eachother out of my whole class. Everyone moves on, and I found that anyone I hated or disliked me in highschool has matured and treats everyone with respect. Weird huh??? Its true, you wont even remember highschool. ;)

Ignore those people. You will learn as soon as you are out of h.s. the drama pretty much drops. Yes there is some drama in the real world, but nothing like there is in h.s. I too got picked on for wearing the clothes I did, owning pet rats, and believing in other things then most people believe in. I wasn't one of the "groupies" so that meant that "I was different". I had some really awesome friends and I'm still good friends with some of those people today. All I can say is, ignore those people who are picking on you. They must not think to highly of themselves because if they did they wouldn't be picking on you. Most people who pick on others only do so because they don't like themselves and by picking on someone else... it makes them feel bigger, stronger, better. In the end I think it only makes those kind of people look immature and weak. Hang with your friends, get though school and try to just pretend those people don't exist. Keep loving snakes and believing in what you do. I promise out of h.s it will get better.

Surprisingly, you will through conversation and idle chat meet other herpers... Maybe not in HS but eventually. Trust me, they *WE* are out there... :D Attending local herp shows if you can is a great way to meet other snake people... also, you might want to check your local Zoo for a herp club!?!?! Hang in there, it will get better.... :)

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Originally Posted by BigCeC43

I forget who has it as there sig. but someone on this site has a phase that goes something like this...

"Do what you want and say how you feel, because the people that matter don't care, and the the people that care don't matter "
:P

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i've changed my sig but it was 'do what you want and say what you feel cuz the people that mind don't matter and the people that matter don't mind'

my good friend has wiccan relatives, and in high school, she practiced it for a while. she got a lot of crap for it but she's one of those people who could really care less what other people think about her. i think that's one of the reasons everyone likes her so much!

kudos for trying to educate people!

High school can be a tough place I have two in high school now. Like others have said when you are out what happened there is going to be like a bad dream. Even as a grown woman I have many relatives that will not come to my house, I say there lose, the ones that are important to me know what my snakes mean to me and have no problem with them, they may not like them but they are ok with them. That is all that matters. Hang in there. Keep your friends close and ignore the others ignorance.

Good for you for wanting to educate the ignorant.
Make sure the Renfest ALLOWS the reptiles to be there. Don't plan on attending and just dragging your pets with you, as a lot of the public events do not allow ANY pets. I don't know how far the trip is for you, but I've seen folks travel over 4 hours to our local Ren Faire and be turned away(or escorted out) because of pets(reptile, canine, and avian). You can't leave them in the car, so you'd have to go home. That would suck.
As far as religion, point out that the snake wasn't there at all. Satan took the appearance of a snake. The poor innocent serpent never had a choice, it's appearance was used by Satan(according to the BIBLE HA!! In your face!!! *insert football dancing*). It could just as easily been a lamb or a frog, or a parrot.
Even if you DO care, and you ARE bothered, you should act in public as if it doesn't. Calm outer demeanor will give you a shield of protection that shamed finger-pointers cannot penetrate. If you act like you couldn't care less about their opinion, and you don't want their attention, nor their affection, you should see their reactions change.
People want to be seen and heard. It's part of the human nature. The more they are ignored, the more they modify their behavior to try to get that attention. Human nature makes them cower to lick the jaw of the perceived alphas. Alphas ignore those beneath them. Dignity does a body good.
Go for it. Love your pets, love your friends, and make your life good.
Be aware of the restrictions in California regarding reptiles too, you might want somewhere more permissive, like oregon.
Wolfy