nihil,
Good morning! Perhaps the reason Sidney has no negative recollections, besides being younger, is that he was one of the "acceptable" ones. CW, having not yet learned the value of keeping his mouth shut, and I suppose seeing no reason to, announced his atheism proudly, and started being proselytized, preached at, and condemned--by fellow students and a couple of teachers, one of whom said she didn't know how he could get up in the morning and face the day without Christ in his heart. Luckily he thought it was funny, and being rather (!)sure of himself, it bothered him not at all. It bothered me a little because we noticed that this teacher assigned the more risqué poets and writers to him for individual reports. HE said it was because the teacher figured we wouldn't mind, evil immoral parents that we must be.
CW asked if he could change his name- which is unfortunately for him- Christian.
Becuase of his experiences, I am a strong supporter of keeping religion out of the schools. HIs best friend is from Turkey and is Muslim, a wonderful, very bright kid. I see no reason he should be forced to pray to a CHristian God because some ignorant teacher thinks she has a divine command to save him from his.
And now I have to go to church.
That's pretty funny.
But then, I figure if there's a God, He would spend a lot of time laughing at us. And maybe crying too. No-what I really think if there is a God, He doesn't really know every hair on my head or care about every sparrow. I think that was wishful thinking on some poor guy's part. I think a lot of all religion is wishes and myths. It's the way we are! So how can you get beyond that to ever know what is TRUE. I can no more accept Del's total denial than I can Chris' total faith. And you know, I guess what I've concluded for now is that it doesn't matter- we just do the best we can, and take comfort where we can.
I have no idea what I believe (wimp that I am) --but have found that I enjoy the music, and the people, the fellowship if you will- the minister's preaching, and the hour of enforced peace of the service. It's probably becuase of my upbringing.
No one has asked me yet if I'm saved. I guess if they don't get specific, I can say sure. Or, I think so. Or I could make their day and say no. |
