Pass the Gravy…

My mother is a humanist. She has zero tolerance for any religion because religion causes people to fight and kill other people. To me that’s like saying guns kill people.

Her zero tolerance agenda extends to conservatives, men, teenagers, liberals who lean to the right, her only daughter and anyone who pollutes. She knows all the answers to everything and has taken the time to form an opinion on everything. Everything. Now that she’s a Raging Granny she has an insatiable need to offer her opinion on everything.

All raging all the time.

This makes for lively family get togethers.

Although she is invited to EASTER dinner the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of the Lord (He is risen indeed), she shows up with her zero tolerance agenda and shoves it down our throats. Just in case you might mistake her for someone who would actually see anything positive that this guy brought to the world, be he a profit, God’s only begotten son or just some carpenter -you have to admit he made quite an impression. Yet, to her anyone who chooses to follow Christ’s teachings is just looking for an argument.

I don’t shove my beliefs down her or anyone’s throat out of courtesy and respect for the rights of others to their own beliefs, but she doesn’t get why someone would believe in anything other than their own human abilities. I rarely discuss my beliefs with anyone because people never hesitate to state exactly what they think of Christianity (these same people show a modicum of respect to Jewish people, Muslims and atheists). I am not from the American south, I don’t believe religion belongs in schools or politics, I think gay men can make great dads and I stand behind my right NOT to judge, I am not holier than thou. I struggle with sin, I strive for grace, honesty and (not-so secretly) patience.

My maternal grandmother was Jewish, my mother (the rager) was baptized a Catholic (now a humanist), my father was Lutheran (now an atheist) his own mother became a Catholic. I spent years trying to understand God, guilt, shame, joy, love, trust and death. There was only one answer for me and I’m living it, quietly but firmly.

It would just be nice not to feel defensive about my beliefs in my own home.
(Thanks for allowing me to vent)