“Let me make this clear, neither I nor most of the people I have known have ever been persecuted. Suffering criticism, disgust, rebuff and reproof is not the same as persecution. These are but inconveniences which fall upon saints and asses alike. Persecution begins when humanity becomes inconvenient. Persecution arises when the power of love tangibly threatens the status quo—and, although I do not welcome it, I can only hope and scheme that one day the impact of my life will be worthy of it.”    —shaman