In the six and a half years that conservatives dominated our government, I have endured a lot of name-calling. Not directly, but constantly. And not just by politicians like George W. Bush and Dick Cheney or pundits like Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter. But by people who profess to care about me. They send me e-mails and articles that have one basic message: if you’re not supporting the Iraq war, you’re an anti-American, atheist, pro-terrorist moron who is against our military and has no right to live in this country.

So let me explain my position, and perhaps people will think twice before calling me names.

I’m not anti-American. On the contrary, I love my country very much. If I didn’t care, I wouldn’t bother speaking up about what I see as a grave and devastating mistake our government has made. I’d just go on with my life, eating at McDonald’s, shopping at Wal-Mart, watching American Idol without giving my nation’s future a second thought.

I’m not an atheist. I’m a Christian. As a Christian, I try to follow the teachings of Jesus, such as “turn the other cheek,” “love thy neighbor,” and “blessed are the peacemakers.” Hmm, no mention of “get revenge,” “hate anyone who doesn’t believe the way you do,” or “bomb the s$@* out of your enemies.”

I’m not pro-terrorist. I am just as angry as any pro-war conservative that these people blew up our World Trade Center and murdered thousands of our innocent citizens. Relying on my Christian faith, I searched my heart to find forgiveness for the terrorists. It is not easy. But I also realize that attacking their lands will not defeat them; it will perpetuate their hatred. Like cutting the head off a hydra, we are multiplying the terrorists for our children to fight later.

I’m not a moron. If high test scores, good grades and multiple college degrees can be considered proof, I am well-educated and intelligent. I have given much more thought to this whole situation than most pro-war folks I’ve spoken with who seem capable only of repeating what they hear on Fox News. I have listened to multiple perspectives; I have watched broadcasts by the opposing side with an open mind and seriously considered the possibility that I may be wrong. Only a moron believes he is infallible.

I’m not against our military. As a teacher, I have many students and former students who have served or are serving in our armed forces, and I admire their courage and dedication to our country. I have contributed to care packages that our university sent to the troops. I have e-mailed a former student who is now on his way to Iraq to tell him my prayers are with him. I love our soldiers, and I hate to see them put in harm’s way for a lost cause.

I have a right to live in the country of my birth. I have a right to free speech. The right to criticize the government helps keep this country great. Just ask the Cubans or the Chinese or the North Koreans. Our troops are defending our rights, so denying them to anyone seems far more anti-American than disagreeing with a temporary government’s policy.

I’m not in the minority. While there are pockets of strong support for this war, the majority of our nation’s people has realized that the war was a mistake. And the number approval ratings for both the war and this president are dropping steadily as more and more U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians die, and no progress is made toward democracy and peace.

So please consider carefully the next time you decide to forward an angry, spiteful, pro-war e-mail. Name-calling is not an effective way to prove your point. Unless you’re on a playground.