I get asked the strangest questions while out walking.
Today, I had a young lady ask me if I had a minute.
Thinking that she was a door-to-door salesperson, I
said “maybe.”
She asked if I was “saved.” Knowing what she meant,
and having a very strong relationship with my higher
power, I said “yes.”
She asked if I had a church home, and I said “yes.”
She then invited me to attend her church… probably
because the staff/leaders had told all members to go
out and do this.
I’ve studied over 50 religions in America, and been
a member of three (one only briefly).
I was raised Southern Baptist. That’s what my parents,
grandparents, and great grandparents were. Most of us
basically adopt our parents’ beliefs.
In college, I was invited to a religious discussion and
found myself at The Unification Church (The Moonies)
center in Richmond, Virginia. After a week there I
sneaked out, and caught a bus back to NC State
University.
After attending my wife’s church (Catholic), I took a
class, found nothing disagreeable, and converted.
I’ve had deep discussions with priests, ministers,
rabbis… and leaders from many other groups. I’ve even
debated points with many.
One of the things about our behavior is that we assume
others think the SAME way that we do. They often don’t.
I’ve noticed several friends in the ministry make this
assumption. I’ve often pointed it out to them.
My relationship with my higher power is personal.
One of several things I was taught not to discuss on a
business website is religion and politics. I made an
exception because I did want to point out that we don’t
all share the same beliefs… and you should not make
that assumption… something I’m sure that you
probably realize.
I use to host weekly brainstorming calls, and stopped
them primarily because two people often turn the
discussions to religion. It would cost me over $100 to
get the audio and transcripts edited!
We are all entitled to our beliefs… and I don’t feel
that there is anything that inherently makes one right
and another wrong… or that they don’t all in some way
come to the same conclusion!
Feel free to chime in with an “amen.”