Seriously. Let it go.

“Let it go… religion is personal, God will reach them or he/she won’t. Let your life be a testament to your faith not your words.”

Whoever wrote this started on the right foot, I think. Religion is personal and people shouldn’t try to convert, laugh at, or dishearten others for their convictions. Why do people feel it is okay to get into other people’s personal beliefs and tell them their wrong or that they’re stupid? Seriously, people, is that necessary? Do we need to go back to kindergarten and recap what we were taught?: If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.

I don’t know if you can see this, but to the left of the quote you can see part of the “I’m laughing at you” that I was referring to in my last post. Obviously others find it annoying that there’s some major disrespect going on. Come on. We’re writing on a public bathroom stall—there are going to be lots of people coming in and out with their ideas, but there’s no reason to mock each other.

This girl is making an excellent point by writing this: “Let your life be a testament to your faith not your words.” Live your life as you think you should to gain whatever form of salvation you believe in, if you believe in a salvation. I mean, I don’t think I can emphasize how much people need to lay off each other on the topic of religion. Maybe because my roommate told me she wished I was Roman Catholic even though I’m happily Orthodox and would never imagine converting to anything else. I even explained to her the 14 years of Catholic education I had. I’m aware of Roman Catholicism beliefs: I don’t make fun of it or jeer at it. I respect what they have and I respect what I have. We’re both Christians, right? As my brother says, we’re rooting for the same team. But those of us that aren’t on the same team, there’s no need for badmouthing. That’s poor sportsmanship.

There is one thing I do not like about this graffiti: God will reach them or he/she won’t. The writer of this is putting an emphasis that God is present and that He is an unidentifiable gender. By saying something along the lines of “God will take care of them” is, first off, omitting the audience. She was directly speaking to someone who was making fun of those who pray and have religion. Oops? Instead of “them” she probably should have written “you.” Also, the he/she our author is speaking about is God. Not only did she not capitalize he or she, she has also made it seem like God can either be a woman or a man. “Our Father” isn’t a coincidence. I’d continue with that thought, however, I don’t have the patience or the time to start a whole new discussion. Lo siento, mis lectores.

Religious Pluralism: Who's laughing now?

“I’m Praying For You.” <-- “I’m laughing at you.”

Maybe I missed the joke. What’s so funny? Is it because someone has a religious conviction? Perhaps this person isn’t devoted to one denomination, but is very spiritual and believes in a higher power. Is it really so funny that she is praying? Maybe it’s because she’s praying for “you.” The collective “you”. I understand that not everyone has a secure faith. Totally, for sure. But does that mean that those that do not have religion in their lives should mock those that do, or vice versa? No.

I came across this phrase not too long ago and I personally find it fitting: religious pluralism. Wikipedia does a good job of explaining what it is. According to Wikipedia, religious pluralism is a “loosely defined expression concerning acceptance of various religions”. This term can also be used to express that one’s religion is not the only source of truth or that another’s religion is wrong, but a more harmonious co-existence and understanding between different denominations and faiths. I don’t have a problem with people of other faiths. I understand if we don’t have the same convictions, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to belittle everyone I meet or try to convert them.

One of the most insensitive things you can do is make rude comments towards someone when they express religion in any way. “I’m laughing at you” proves that she has insecurities, bitterness, possibly had a falling out with the Church (whichever church that may be), or is unable to understand the fulfillment that religion provides for those that possess it. Whatever the case may be, I find it inappropriate to say you’re laughing at someone for having faith. What about you? You have to believe in something, right? What do you believe in, missy? Do you even have a moral code? Or do you just enjoy laughing at people who don’t believe the same things as you or that don’t rely on science and physics to describe the universe?

I understand religion is such a touchy subject, and, really, I don’t prefer in getting into religious debates, but I accept that there are other religions out there. I accept that there are people of different faiths than me, and I accept that there are people without faith. I won’t judge them. I won’t think of them any differently. I’d prefer if everyone act on a moral code than flaunt and force religion down others’ throats, but that would be in a perfect world. Alas, we do not live in a perfect world. There’s too much religion trash-talk in the women’s bathroom and it’s a little unnerving. Religious pluralism should be introduced to the world… hopefully it would leave an impact on how we treat each other.