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Interesting encounter

I always read between the lines, like when someone asks a question, but I know they want to know something else. So yesterday, I was hanging out with this lady and I could tell she wanted to know my religious views. She was probably just curious, but she didn't want to ask a direct question. When she asked, so what is the majority religion of where you come from; although it is well known what it is.. then she asked me at lunch of the things I would not eat or drink..

To be honest, I try to avoid talking about religion with anyone... So even though I knew what she was getting at, I still did not give a direct answer about myself, but answered her questions..

It is just a deep and an unpleasant subject to talk about with people.. I've had so many chats with different people since I reached Canada, and of course the easy subject to pick to talk about with strangers, is where you come from and whether I am here for study or something else etc.. I always answer to that, as me looking for a more open culture, which is basically a sugarcoat of the MAIN REASON, which is me being an ex Muslim and wanting to live in free country, but I wouldn't want to get into that, with passing strangers making casual talks..

But yesterday since our talks were long, I also talked about another reason, which is that I am a Palestinian refugee, who doesn't have a home country. I mean, literally up until now, I had no country which I am legally entitled to reside in permanently... What I didn't realise while I was talking about this, is that she is Jewish!! I worked this out though by the end of yesterday from some bits and pieces that she said about herself and about her family, but I wasn't sure since she seems unreligious overall. But when I talked about this, she really gave me no indication whatsoever of her origins, she was just compassionate like any normal human being would respond to such an issue.

Today, our talk led to relationships and here I felt she took the opportunity to ask me a direct question of whether my religion would allow it.. well it was direct enough for me to say that I was unreligious, but then she kept staring at me as if the word unreligious was not enough lol, until i said I was an ex Muslim. She was like; yea I was wondering yesterday and I sort of knew when i saw you drinking.. I almost said, yea I knew you were wondering lol

Then I took the liberty to ask about Judaism and about her, since I am always very interested to learn about religions , and I have to say, I learned some things .. She was indeed Jewish, but very unreligious, and I can't help but think that if we both were religious, there would be this tension and weird unrealistic despise.. I can't help but think that religions are like memberships in exclusive clubs, whereby the members of each club would look down on others who don't belong.. It doesn't matter how tolerant you are, you will still view your club as superior and winning, or else, you wouldn't be in it, as simple as that.
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Foreverconfused · 56-60, F
I always love it when people from differing backgrounds can see past the common foolishness of labels. But religeon is not the only form of discrimination. However it is in the minds of many. But we have much bigger issues. To deal with than religeon. Basic education about differing point of views, and … a need to discover truth.

I am so glad you were both cautious. I hope it turns out you have a great friendship, and a story to tell all!!!!
BittersweetPotato · 31-35, F
@Foreverconfused Well, maybe where you are, but where I come from, religion is a major factor in so many big problems like censorship sexual harassment, suppression etc. I think these are very serious problems. That's aside from the fact that people are literally afraid to think for themselves, if they can't think, you can't expect much from such a nation.
Foreverconfused · 56-60, F
@BittersweetPotato yes, you are right. Most religious leaders use fear to control its people. … and at another extreme, But not everyone will manage knowledge responsibly …what’s thrown at them…There is a time for everything… and sometimes it takes experience to understand other peoples suffering — just rambling a little.