Somwhere Over the Rainbow. . .

We've all got our own beliefs about a better place than the one we currently inhabit. Some dream of a beautiful paradise in the sky, living among all of those we once loved that have already passed on. Others dream of living on once more, living their new lives as either another human or life form. Others still dream of their soul moving on, selecting the trials they'll go through in the next life. Still, others, believe nothing happens. For them, we die, and that's it. Regardless of what you believe, as long as it makes you happy, that should be all that matters. Right?

For some, being happy just isn't enough. They like to spread the word of their individual religions through different mediums, be it billboards, television, or through missionary work. Now, I can completely understand spreading the word of your particular faith. However, what I dislike, is when people get pushy about it. Once a no is said, that should be the end, and then you should move on. However, there are those fanatics within every religion that simply get on my nerves.

What could possibly possess me to write this, you ask? Well, I'll tell you. Friday night was Las Vegas' monthly First Friday celebration. First Friday is basically a festivals where local artists can come and sell their art work, be it painting, crafts, music, or any creative medium. I was attending the celebration with a few friends whom I hadn't seen in a few months. We were having a wonderful time walking around and admiring the art and the atmosphere, but most of all, we were enjoying each other's company.

Now, at one point during the evening, two of my friends, who are married to each other, started getting a little frisky. Now, that isn't to say they were having sex in the street or anything. No, the husband grabbed the wife's breast. Simple as that. Immediately following, an elderly lady, wearing an atrociously bright green shirt, approached us with pamphlets about God. Now, okay, I can understand what might have prompted her to do this. I stood and remained silent while she asked them if they went to church, what religion they belong to, and things of that nature. If anything, I found the uncomfortable looks on their faces slightly amusing. However, the woman decided to take it too far.

The woman in the atrociously green bright green shirt all but outright called my friend a harlot, simply because she was being fondled by a man, who so happened to be her husband. She then said a nice long prayer saying to, "Watch out for these poor unfortunate souls, so they do no wind up making mistakes that will send them to hell." She then walked off.

I was a bit speechless for a number of reasons, the first being she outright insulted a good friend of mine. My second problem was that she chose to say a prayer for us. Now, if she had said it in her head as she made her way through the crowd, then fine. The fact they she decided to, not only push her religion on to us, but then have us participate without our consent, seriously pissed me off.

Now, some of you may not know my take on religion. I call my self Agnostic. Basically, I believe that there is some sort of force that guides everything that happens, be it large or small. It is in each and every living creature and each inanimate object. It is all that was, is, and ever will be. As for an afterlife, I have a few things that I'd like to believe, but have yet to be convinced of. I'd like to believe in consensual reincarnation. Basically that means I'd like to believe we can choose when and how we are reincarnated, if at all. I'd also like to believe in a heaven. However, I don't believe in hell or Satan. I don't believe that the Devil created demons and evil, for that would mean he was a god himself, and I am monotheistic.

Now, I have no problem telling people about my religion. If you want to know, I'll tell you. I have no problem with people telling me about their religion. I've talked to a few people of differing religions and heard about them. I've read the Old Testament and the New, as well as parts of the Book of Mormon and the Qur'an. When I choose to believe in something, it is because I am educated in religions to a point, and know what I am saying no to. It's when people get pushy and try to press their religion upon me that I get angry. If you think I am wrong in what I believe, then fine. You can think I am wrong. Don't you dare try to impose your beliefs on me however. I don't sit there and tell you you're wrong and try to change you, and I expect the same courtesy.

I want to know what you think though? How do you feel when people press their religions on you? If you're comfortable sharing, what religion do you believe in?