Many are the ways people throw shame.

It's spoken loudly, it's spoken quietly. It's a wink, a finger pointing, a misleading statistic. It's a mocking laugh, a bunch of insulting words.

It's a blackmail file they tell you they have on you, or a photocopy of something to "prove" to you they will expose you if you don't do their will.

It's scorn they speak out of the side of their mouths. It's trying to pretend it's being nice to you when it's really setting you up to look bad.

It's shallow guilt-by-association reasoning.

It's kicking in the door, throwing your stuff around, and breaking things. Perhaps shooting your pets dead, your loved ones dead, or even you dead! Then denying any wrongdoing, or getting a medal for it.

It's a bunch of evil laws that are an affront to God, and God's gift of free-will.

It's standing aloof and saying "they got what they deserved, I'm glad I'm not like that sinner."

Below are some essays detailing examples of people who ignored — despised even — the shame others threw at them, and what they did about it. You will also find encouragement in them, meant to give you fortitude, food for thought, and strength of character.

Hint: ignore them, repay meanness with kindness, pray for them.

Amen.