Isn’t the belief in God enough? I recently had a relationship ending argument, while driving, about my Spiritual beliefs. In that car I suddenly became Palestine and she morphed into Israel. There was no middle ground, no compromise or even a solution to our argument. In a flash an imaginary line was drawn through the middle of the vehicle and where once a loving couple sat, warring factions took our places. I could feel her beautiful eyes searing a hole in the side of my neck. I swallowed hard and immediately understood how religious differences could cause civil unrest and the destruction of cities. I tried to make amends by telling her that due to my travels and interaction with other cultures, I found it hard to submit to one spiritual belief and that I was tolerant of all(the intelligent stance). Well, that flew like a lead penguin. She bared her white teeth and scoffed at my ignorance. She laughed because I didn’t resign to her belief system of tithes and Sunday finest, holiday food banks and Pastoral Cadillacs. There was nothing I could say that would reduce the tension in the air. I was then ridiculed loudly because of my own beliefs. I could feel my neck tighten and taste the bitter bile rising in my throat...as it became time for a Hamas style attack. So I took a deep breath and unchained my writers mind.
I ask her how many times had the Bible been edited for "clarity" by scholars who wanted some control for themselves or for the ones they served. I asked had she ever heard of the council of Niece. I asked her to tell me who the Byzantine were,(after all they named that hill in the holy land Mt. Zion). I asked her if Christianity was the only way into heaven why didn’t the Jews, Muslims, Buddhist, Taoist, Practitioners of Voodoo, Santeria, or any of the thousands of tribal religions for that matter get the memo. And if the “living” memo was Jesus, why must those before mentioned live their religion every day, instead of on Sunday, between the hours of 10:00am and 2:00pm (3:00pm if you are in a Pentecostal church, 4:00pm if you are in an evangelical church) like good God fearing people should. I exhaled. I pretty much sealed the deal on that conversation. She didn’t look in my direction and by the fog on the passenger window I could tell she was well beyond angry. Her silence or my blood pressure rang like a jackhammer skipping on steel in my head. I tried to touch her hand. But she snatched it away. So I took her home and drove away…crushed. I knew thinking outside of the box could be perceived as evil. And I feel like kicking myself in the butt for even discussing religion… but after all she started it.
~Vale~
religioustolerance
easternmasters
3 comments:
I stumbled across your blog, just wanted to let you know I enjoy your rants, insights, and thoughts.
Years ago, I left a marriage because he was devoted to his cult of a religion, and I was not. I was shunned, and started a new life. Best thing that ever happened. Why does the concept of God/Religion bring out such conflict? I doubt it's because there is one 'right' answer.
I'm a Unitarian which my Baptist mother could never understand. I generally respect each person's beliefs and wish they would likewise mine. This can be hard at times especially in the South.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I think there's another Montgomery blogger who writes mostly about running. I couldn't run if my life depended on. I could walk though.
You and I agree on the Bible issue here. The Bible was formulated by a committee in the fourth century, it has no ties to anything spiritual except for what it claims itself. There are repulsive parts, and there are good parts, but most of the stories should never be taken literally, they are metaphors, fables, and tales meant to teach.
There is a Unitarian Church in Montgomery you should look into. It's basic ideal is that no one's beliefs should be discounted, we are all different, and different ideas make sense to us.
Post a Comment