This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Last year a friend notified my sister that her seminary teacher said Jewish people deserved the Holocaust, in her interpretation. Some of my family died in the Holocaust, so this was very personal to me.
My mother talked to the principal of seminary, who said this wasn't their belief and had the teacher clarify his meaning. The situation was handled professionally and effectively.
But last week, another friend basically said Jewish people aren't respected because God is punishing them for killing Jesus.
I respect all religions because most followers are good people, though no group of people is perfect. I believe no faith should be looked down upon because of our past. I believe faith shouldn't be an indicator of the quality of any person.
I respect everyone's different beliefs, until they tell me my faith and family is punished for something outside my control.
I'm 14 and I have seen many religions practiced to many degrees. I believe every person has their right to practice their own religion without anyone else saying otherwise and because I'm Jewish, I shouldn't be disrespected because of my ancestry.
I am who I am, and my religion shouldn't determine who can respect me.
Audrey Lidgard
Salt Lake City