I have always considered myself a spiritual person. Not really religious, as I’m not equipped to emotionally substantiate all the zealotry that tends to come with organized religion. However, never had I stopped to ponder how my lack of attending a regular Sunday affected those immediately close to me, until I was compared to the Devil by my boyfriend of nearly six years, in what I considered to be a civilized conversation based around me trying to get my questions about religions answered, since he had reportedly had a life-enlightening conversation with a pastor. Questions such as, “why is Christianity so non-tolerant of other religions? And would a Christian God really doom someone to hell because they weren’t born in a Christian nation? Was Christianity given to black folks as a way to maintain submissiveness during slavery? A girl has a right to ask questions, but what I was met with was not eager enthusiasm of my curiosities, but a defensive rhetoric about this not being up for a rebuttal. Not very surprising, but disheartening none the same. This seems to be the most common response to my questions. Belligerence and an outright disbelief that I would question anything having to do with God. And that’s where the misconception lies. I am not questioning God, just the religions that are supposedly built around him.

To me, God is manifested in everything I do and everything I am. God is not an abstract concept that can only be preached to you about by someone ordained to read a book or an omnipotent presence that you can never have a personal relationship with unless you talk to his son, Baby Jesus. i see God when I see the beauty of my garden. I talk to God whenever I want. I don’t necessarily have to be on bended knee or in front of clergy. If I’m in my car and I thank God for a blessing or send a prayer up for a friend does he not hear me the same because I’m not on my knees? Is my relationship with God not as good because I don’t go to church on Sundays? 

Religion provides a moral code for how to conduct ourselves. I feel we innately have a sense of right or wrong and whether we choose to follow that, is a personal choice. Not a religious one. I don’t think I’ll be any better a person by attending church on a weekly basis because at the end of the day, I am going to treat everyone fairly, as I’d like to be treated. So just to complicate the issue and attempt to get a point across, I was asked how do you determine when to do right from wrong. For instance, the boy who robs an old lady to feed his family. A noble intention for an unworthy cause. I feel people tend to justify behaviors and feel victimized. His only option was not to steal from someone else, but it may have been his easiest. He could have just as easily worked somewhere for something. Point being, we make our choices, and I don’t feel religion would help me to make any better choices.

I also don’t criticize those who do choose to organize around God. i just wish that I were given the same tolerance and consideration for my beliefs. As a matter of fact, if everyone practiced more tolerance and consideration and less zealotry and propagandizing we’d all be able to live more harmoniously and find that peace that we are all seeking that leads most of us to religion in the first place. Just a thought.