The Church of Penny Lane

This morning I had two visitors at my door.  I wondered who the heck would be coming to our house this morning and using the front door, no less.  I peered out the window and immediately figured out who and also immediately wondered why.

Nonetheless, I opened the door.  I did not open the screen door but this did not stop the young man for launching into conversation.  Turns out, as luck would have it, he was here, with his friend Ken, to tell me about God.

yay.

So Buddy (I can't remember his name) proceeded to let me know there are 36 churches in Moose Jaw and asked what I think God thinks about this.

My reply: "I don't think He minds."

This did not sit well with Buddy and he started to read to me from his pamphlet some shit about one true God and how this one 'true' God probably isn't thrilled with Moose Jaw and their penchant for choosing their own ways to worship.  Those weren't exactly his words.

At this point, I politely, if somewhat coldly, shared I didn't want to waste anymore of his time and wished him a good day.

I don't even know if I believe in God but if there is a God, the one that I believe in doesn't care if you're Catholic, Lutheran, Buddhist or Mennonite.  The God I would choose to believe in only wants people to live a life where they try their best not to hurt others, not to cheat, lie or steal and to be nice.

The God I would choose to believe in does not want Buddy & Ken coming to my house on an otherwise pleasant Saturday morning telling me that He doesn't like people going to different churches to worship.  I'm not sure what denomination Buddy & Ken are.  Jehovah Witness maybe?  I'm not sure.  I don't know enough about them to tell.  It's a guess pure & simple.  I only know they aren't Mormon because they didn't say they were Elders or refer to themselves as 'Brother'.  I know a little more about our Mormon friends because my ex-husband took a super fun for all journey there for awhile.

To me, this sort of "God only wants one church" belief is akin to racism.  I'm pretty sure God doesn't promote that either. Come to think of it, I should've told Buddy & Ken that I needed to go because my (fill in the race blank) Lesbian lover was waiting for me upstairs for a session of Saturday morning lovemaking followed by a Ouija Board session.  I have a feeling Ken & Buddy do not support same sex marriage.  No confirmation, just an inkling.

So to end today's lesson in Penny Lane Religion:  I don't know if I believe in God.  I do know I believe in treating people equally and fairly.  I do know that I believe people deserve this equal and fair treatment no matter their age, sex, gender, race or sexual preference.  I think, if there is a God, he feels the same way and if he doesn't?

I'll carry on just the same.   I will speak openly against racism, sexism, and homophobes.  I will teach my children to do the same.  I will continue to respect those who choose to worship the God they believe in. 

And, I will not hope Ken and Buddy get stung by wasps today, eat a bad 7-11 burrito and get the runs without a bathroom in sight.