OPINION

This column deals with deals with the ever-touchy subject of religion, more importantly, it deals with religious discrimination.

Recently, my best friend asked me to come to a church service with him. I had managed to avoid his requests for a few weeks, as I am not exactly the biggest church or religious person out there. I have nothing wrong with it, as my two best friends are both strong religious-types.

When I showed up, I was alone, as my friend and his girlfriend were already inside. Immediately, I was greeted fairly nicely (hugged even!). However, after entering, the mood changed. It was casual dress: jeans, slacks, whatever. I was dressed rather uniquely, with arm stockings, wristbands, sleeveless shirt and my favorite white pants complete with zippers and straps. After five minutes, I was engulfed in stares and silent whispers. I also was looking completely lost, as I was still looking around for my friends.

Three inquiries into my reason for being here later, I was in the parking lot, leaving and giving up on the idea. Later, I learned they were there, but they had gotten there just as the service began, leaving me with no option of running in front of the beginning service and interrupting everything to find them.

So after that whole ordeal, I knew that I wanted to cover the topic of religious discrimination. Why is it that whenever a clean-cut stranger walks into a place of worship (actually me at one time, a long, long time ago), he is greeted with no questions asked? But when a person such as myself, or anyone who looks “questionable,” enters, he is barraged with questions, stares, and whispers. The important thing is not the look of the man; it is the beliefs of that man.

I am not religiously binded to one set of beliefs. But if I had to pick one, I would consider myself to be of Buddhist faith. I have studied that and many other religions, and I would say I fit into that group. So, going to a Christian place of worship is something I rarely do, and I don’t plan on doing it again anytime soon. Nothing against Christians or other, very pleasant places to worship, but you should not preach what you cannot adhere to.