Taboo Dinner Topics

After finishing an entry by my friend Sarah I have to say religion has come up a lot lately. Not just the subject but my place in religious belief and that of others and how we perceive others when we know their religion.

I was asked after the election by a student if I voted. I responded yes and asked him and he said yes. My response and end to the conversation was "Good for you!" And yes I meant to put the exclamation mark down. I was truly happy for him, I thought it was so important that these kids get out and add their voice to the world. He then asked me who I voted for. Now normally I don't care who knows who or what I stand for but for whatever reason I said "Well that is a pretty personal thing and I chose to keep that to myself." I guess one reason I said it was because I didn't want to in anyway influence him or other students. I feel at this age, to influence someone with opinions is so easy, I would rather just give facts and let them discover truth on their own. Now I know very few people ever do this and after reading it, it sounds stupidly optimistic. But alas I wish to be stupidly optimistic. Now the other reason is that while working for a pretty conservative school do not want to just open with my liberalism.

Well back to the story, the student didn't like my answer. He felt that I should tell him and he persisted. He said, "It's not a big deal you would tell me your religion if I asked." I had to think about that one for a moment. I asked him a question, "If it's not a big deal then why do you want to know?" His reply and I think this says a lot, "Well it gives me an idea of who you are." I thought, on the surface, that is very true on both the religion and voting. Many people could make a big assumption about a person based on both which really supports my second reason for not telling him. Well I must say telling him, I was raised Catholic and still harbor a small part of catholic faith and yet I am actively learning more about eastern philosophies and might actually like to delve into Buddhism, would probably just confuse him more. Also telling him that I register Democrat but have socialist tendencies, would really throw him off. The old saying goes when meeting new people avoid talking politics and religion.

But what are we really saying about ourselves when we do talk politics and religion. And what do we think of others when they speak on these. I must say I am guilty of it. When someone says they attend church every Sunday, I think "Oh god here is another bigoted homophobe." with my eyes rolling into the back of my head. But what an awful thing to think and even worse when I say out loud. I should know better having many friends who are both very broad minded and avid church goers. I also have friends who are gay and republican, but there I have to say "Fine be fiscally conservative and socially liberal but lets face it the core conservatives don't care for you and will not defend you unless it gets them a lot in return."

Well for myself some issues with some people I play very close to the chest because some discussions can out me and I must say even in these days and I guess even more since the election I am a bit scared. I don't like to admit that a lot but it's important, I think, for people to know that. Being a pretty liberal, agnostic, gay male in this country can set you up for some pretty big assumptions, and not all of them are good ones or apply.

Have we as a country after this election created a certain hated of each other. Liberal has become a dirty word and again some pretty bad assumptions can come from that. But on the flip side Liberals have become afraid of conservatives and even worse evangelical conservatives. I think this election has left an even larger divide than we think. Bring religion to the forefront may have won an election but I think it has created fear a suspicion and a deep divide between, Christians and non Christians. I am not just talking Jews and Muslims but those who are not so faith driven in their politics.

Maybe I am over reacting but I am still going to play it safe and keep the brochure on Toronto.