I've been thinking...

Two older gentlemen (one white, one black) knocked on my door earlier this afternoon.  When I opened the door the black gentleman stepped up with a friendly grin and said "We've been talking to your neighbors and just wanted to ask (as he pulls a pamphlet out of the back of a "big thick black family type Bible") who do you think controls the world?" 

I smiled back, but instead of giving my usual "I'm not interested answer" (after all I was taught to respect my elders) I asked them where they stood on homosexuality or interracial relationships.  The white gentleman assured me that there wasn't an issue with people of different backgrounds getting to know each other but he was sure I would agree that homosexuality wasn't the same thing. 

...like I said I've been thinking.  Why is it ok for two strangers to knock on my door and try to make me feel like I'm the "bad guy" because I don't believe the same way they do?  And hear me when I say I'm not trying to stir the pot (nor am I disrespecting those who follow a religious doctrine).... remember when "they" said blacks and gays were out recruiting people to "their" way of life?  I've never had either group knock on my door and ask me to join their group.  It hit me that my religious "aversion" may not only be the 'higher power' concept but the exclusivity of the club itself.  

 This week of the year always reminds me of the early days of G.LA.S.S. at Catawba.  Those first couple of years we had no idea what we were doing.  A bunch of misfits looking for a place to belong, to fit in.... each one with their own reason for reaching out to everyone else.  Funny thing, I got involved only because I wanted to help a friend deal with his homosexuality and to my surprise I found myself as co-chair two years in a row.  Me; a straight black woman 10+ years older than everyone else in the group; co-chair of a gay acceptance student group?  How's that for total unconditional acceptance?  We didn't go around trying to get people to join our ranks, we just let everyone know we were around & if they wanted to hang out we'd be there for them. 

Why don't religions work that way?  Why does it feel like I need to change what I believe to be right & true in order to be able to join their group? And if they are 'right' why can't they wait for us to come to the same conclusion and come to them?  I'm just wondering...