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a Cocktail's toast to Coexistence

Let me get there straight. Yesterday was the last day of school.Photographs,goodbyes,girls and slam books,hugging each other Merry Christmas and new year..I'm not the hugging-kissing kind but I made it a point to wish everyone.

So I walk up to one of my teachers and wished her a merry Christmas.She gave a displeased snort and muttered something. I took a moment to comprehend her reaction.I was first confused and when I understood the slightly repulsed expression on her face I was taken aback.I was left in utter disgust after the incident. Christianity is not her religion, which was why she refused shake hands or return the greetings. Apparently she thinks I follow her religion.I follow it only on application forms,purely an official blank filled.Religious intolerance-it was not something you'd expect of a person of this age,and particularly a person of her profession. I felt the sudden urge to tell her my mother is a Christian. She would be appalled to know I'm a cocktail much less a Christian. I decided against it and spoke nothing more.

I believe in a superior power and am humbled by its awesomeness. God is a name people gave that power. I can't read the Quran  and haven't got past a chapter of the Bible. I'm no atheist either because there is an ultimate why we can't answer.

I been wondering whether I'm missing a community life. Yes and no. Yes because the idea of being together ,with a family beyond family, to belong somewhere is wonderful. No, because it makes it easier to respect all faith and religions dispassionately.

Excuse the sudden momentous halt. I really gotta go.Wait, here's a toast to Tolerance, co-existence and cocktails. Merry Christmas!


Image courtesy: traditionsacrosseurope.worpress.com






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