What has it cost you?

I'm sure you've heard Christians called every name in the book. I get so mad when I hear us referred to as naive, or ignorant, or simple-minded. Why is it that when I stand up for my beliefs I'm being ignorant, or prejudiced, but when other people stand up for theirs's, it's all about "equality"? What makes my beliefs less valid than your's? I don't think they are, and that's why it bothers me that Christianity is looked down on so much. I've had discussions with people and as soon as I say that I am a Christian, they totally disregard my opinions and such. It's like I'm a whack job. And I always wondered why that was.
At church on Sunday, the pastor said something that really made sense to me. "Christianity that costs you nothing, is worth nothing."
Jesus said " If any man come after me, let him take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it. And whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it. For what is a man profited if he shall gain the world and lose his own soul." --Matthew 16:24-26
Jesus gave His life for us, why should we not be willing to give up ours for him?
I believe that these situations are tests, are we willing to stand up for Him, or do we hide our true beliefs? I once had a guy that I really liked say that he couldn't date me anymore because "he wasn't the church type." In my naivete, I believed that he could change, and I questioned God why can't I be with him? Why can't I find someone who wants to be with me? I should have been asking myself, why would I want to be with someone who isn't "the church type."
If this is what Christianity costs me, a few taunts, a few names being called, even if it means I don't find someone to marry, then I still am blessed. Because Christ gave His life for ME. And if all He asks of me in return is to stand up for Him, and defend His name, then I bear that cross with gladness, and gratitude.
The pastor told the story of the movie Glory. I had seen this movie in jr high, but not since then, and really don't remember it at all. It is the story of the only all african-american regiment fighting in the civil war. The night before they were to go into battle as the front line, and were facing certain death, and one character said to another, "Let it be told to our families that we went down standing up."
And thats the attitude we should have for Christ, if someone is going to take me down for being a Christian, it won't be easy, because I'm going down standing up!