i have been here less than 2 days and i have already been asked this question more than once (which is saying a lot since i have been in my jet-lag, tail end of holiday, hermitage and have not met many people). it strikes me that so far it is assumed that i attend a church. i like the blessings we have before our meals, i feel i am a faithful person, i really enjoy expressing gratitude for what i have, and i know there is SOMETHING in the universe larger than myself.
i dropped off some textbooks that i brought from the US for a woman who is friends with Samuel (who i will soon refer to only as Nderitu, since that's his real name and Samuel is his Baptismal name) (Peris just revealed today that her name is really "mamma Keith"-the name of her first born and if i were to get lost and ask someone in town for Peris, they would look at me like I am crazy). her husband is a pastor. when he asked me where do i go to church at home i tried to sidestep the question by explaining that i have attended my parents' Unitarian Universalist services from time to time. so far people seem to think that UUs are Pentecostal. it is nearly impossible to explain Unitarianism to people here let alone people in the US, so i'm sure my definitions are less than helpful.
so he asked me to tell him where i, individually, go to church- not my parents' church. a couple of seconds passed and his wife, Nderitu and their 3 little children all stared at me. i told him "outdoors". Nederitu laughed softly and the pastor did not seem to understand since he then repeated his question. i told him I go to nature. i can't remember what happened next since i was so shocked that i stood up for myself in that tiny way. i think the subject was quickly changed to the quality of American book publishing.
i am still debating about whether to attend church this Sunday with Nderitu and fam. i like many aspects of the "idea" of church. community, socializing, singing... but i am really uncertain whether i will go.
let me say that i have some dear friends who are firmly religious and i truly respect differences in belief 100%. it's just hard to see all of the detrimental affects that -colonialism which went hand in hand with religion-
has had on the thought processes of Africans in my experience. and what baffles me more is that (dare i say) even though in some ways (i believe) religious ideas and practices have held Africa back, so many here embrace it whole-heartedly.
on the other hand, i really try not to judge and must remind myself that in a life and location where so, so many things are a struggle, so much is negative and feels hopeless, conditions are tough- it must be a source of emotional support. and everyone deserves that.
"To a worm in horseradish, the whole world is horseradish." Yiddish Proverb
4 comments:
"Most people think
'Great god will come from the skies,
Take away everything
And make everybody feel high.'
But if you know what life is worth,
You will look for yours on earth
So now you see the light
Stand up for your rights. Come on!"
An interesting dilemma. I thought this posting had some interesting insights:
http://www.wissenbloggt.de/?p=5379
Hope you end up happy with whatever you decide, but I hope you decide it for yourself and not because of others.
Hey Kater,
I love how you look at this issue. (Mother Earth is my church also.) I know you will do what feels right for you; and I support whatever you decide.
Of course you know that just going to a church does not mean that you agree with or practice what is believed there; and that religion and spirituality are sometimes very different from each other.
As I remember from when you were in high school, someone said that you were a "seeker"... still true now. We all go through different feelings about religion as we journey on. I've also had very angry feelings toward some religions because of the damage they do. Now I believe that there is a universal good in all religions, and that it is more powerful and hopeful than the negative effects, which I think were perpertrated by those who did not understand this. Enjoy the journey! Love you bunches! Hugs, Momma
thanks for your comments Mom and Josh. Mom, i started my day today by listening to The Who's song "the Seeker" haha.
in case people are wondering, i have decided to go to church tomorrow.
Kenyan churches are crazy. Way different that anything you have heard of or experienced in the United states. It can be scary sometimes, even to believers. Try that with the heat and the mosquitoes around you inside a tent with dit floors. But those people have bigger needs, so they give their all to God, because that's who they call on when in lack of anything. I was VERY unconfortable in my first Kenya church experience. After a couple of visits I was clapping and dancing though. I hope you don't get to scared! Glad you are open to experience Kenya 100% though.
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