I’m not quite sure if the whole of Kenya is as fervent as those in Kibwezi are about their religion, but evangelism has grown deep roots here. I’d say about 10% are Muslim and the rest are fervent believers in one of the many branches of Christianity. I seriously can’t understand most of the differences between churches named Revival Gospel or Redeemed Gospel. Maybe one has a cuter pastor?
Most people who know me back in the States and Europe are aware that I’m a pretty staunch agnostic. I’ve read the Bible and the Qu’ran and have a difficult time accepting any one religion as the one true religion. I believe in multiple realities and that God/ a creator accepts many ways of worship and is not some overbearing judgmental figure trying to deny someone access to heaven at the pearly gates.
It’s my hope and belief that we will be judged by what’s in our hearts and the meaning of life will be revealed after you die, or maybe not at all.
In Bend I rarely get asked if I go to church or what my beliefs are. In Kibwezi I get asked on a daily basis what church I attend. On Sundays I pretty much am accosted when I tell them I don’t go to church and do not consider myself a Christian. They ask if I’m a Hindu or a Muslim, and I tell them neither. I even tell them in Swahili, Mimi ni agnostiki, which means I’m an agnostic and they stare back at me blankly like I’m completely insane. People here associate as parts of a group, i.e. tribe, family, village, and religion. The fact that I blatantly choose not to belong to one of these groups other than my family is completely incomprehensible.
It would be much easier if I could just respond with a little white lie that I’m Christian, Muslim, or Hindi to those questions that seem to daunt me every day. “What church do you go to or what religion are you?” In all honesty, I prefer Hinduism for its flexibility and Islam for their Sufi mystics to Christianity. Maybe I’m just shunning the mainstream religion of America or I have become too critical of the Bible. Good and bad people come from all religions and I’m satisfied with my beliefs, I do not like rigidity. Life is too short not to enjoy it. I will always support gay rights, abortion rights, sex before marriage, sex education, and pretty much everything that evangelicals stand so firmly against.
The fight for my soul here in Kibwezi is on, but the more people insist the firmer I stand. I do not need to know Jesus, other than maybe the one that is making a margarita or some fish tacos. That Jesus and I can definitely hang.
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2 comments:
One of my coworkers who was in Rwanda said that the locals thought something must be wrong with her because she is single/divorced. Social stigmas seem to run high there, but it's awesome to hear that you are still Christine.
You're very right on about the stigmas, but if I'm honest and open about who I am, people tend to come around.
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