This is the story of two dead, teenage girls. One is a Christian martyr, the other an object of derision. Please read this story and then listen carefully to your heart. Cassie Bernell is a victim of persecution. She was one the young people whose life was taken at school. That school was Columbine, and the boys who snuffed out her life dressed in black, presenting themselves as "Goths," and (we think) they targeted certain classmates because of their religious beliefs. Cassie was a Christian, and therefore fair game for a bullet.

Twelve-year-old Tempest Smith is also a victim of persecution. She dressed in black, and was teased and taunted at her school for her religious beliefs as a Wiccan. Her classmates tormented her by quoting scripture and singing Christian hymns at her. But she did not go to school one day with a gun. Instead, she decided to simply end her pain by taking her own life. That life's ending does not make Tempest Smith newsworthy; it makes her just another teen suicide.

I have used this column previously to ask us to move beyond mere tolerance of differences to an attitude of acceptance, and maybe even celebration of diversity. Today I know that I asked for a lot. Today I will be happy if tolerance can be achieved so that all may live without fear and prejudice. Maybe tolerance will be enough when young lives are at stake.

In the United States, we have the guaranteed right of freedom of religion. You can legally practice (or not practice) any belief system or religion that you may choose. Indeed, many have chosen not to adhere to any religion. Many have chosen to follow the doctrines of various Christian faiths. Yet many others in our country identify as Buddhists, Moslems, Jews, Jains, Hindus, Taoists, Humanists, or Pagans.

This is a big country. It has been fashionable to speak of it as a melting pot where ultimately everyone will become similar. For example, there is an expectation that new immigrants will eventually surrender their "old-world" ways and views to become "model" Americans. However, must they surrender their faith beliefs and ways of practicing their religion to be accepted?

Let's be frank. Even among Christians there is much dissension. Though each denomination professes a belief in Jesus as Christ (or they wouldn't be Christians) each has radically different interpretations of scripture and different expectations of how to live and worship faithfully. Which "model" Christian would a believer in another faith need to adopt to be accepted in our society?

Can the story of two young girls answer the question? The Christian lost her life because of intolerance. The Wiccan took her own life because of intolerance which robbed her of feelings of adequacy and self-worth. According to the constitutional laws of this country, both should have been free to believe whatever they wished without fear of retaliation. There is no one right -- or model -- religion for Americans.

Our forefathers fought for that freedom. Why can't we honor it? Why does anyone have to feel persecuted for their religious beliefs? Why does any precious life have to be lost? Why can't we be tolerant? Why?

Lee Richards