Not entirely certain why I felt like bringing this up, but I guess I just cannot get this simple, meaningless exchange out of my head. I was at a childhood friend's wedding the other night (which was absolutely beautiful and I am not one to gush about weddings) and I was chatting with another old friend of mine, complimenting each other's sundresses when her new husband pointed at my shawl and asked what was on it.

It is a printed green shawl, with images of Ganesha stamped on it and Sanskrit lettering* and I told him as much, with a smile until he pointed to the lettering and asked, "So, what does that mean?" Here his tone turned mocking as he continued, " 'Cows are God?' " He laughed a bit at that, I cannot remember what his wife did, nor can I picture what my expression was (I have this gift of conveying instant disgust or offense), but I did manage another, sweeter smile and corrected him on its meaning, while adding that Ganesha brings joy and good luck, perfect for a wedding.

And here I have to ask...why did he have to say that? What purpose was he trying to achieve by sounding ignorant at best and extremely rude at worst? After all, he had no idea why I was wearing it, he has no idea what my personal beliefs are. I mean, I shouldn't be surprised at him making assumptions about my religious identity-- everyone there is or was raised in a Protestant Christian household-- but why go the extra mile and sound so narrow-minded and chauvinistic? I would never make an insulting remark about another faith in mixed company, although hopefully I would refrain from being insulting in all occasions, but the glaring cultural insensitivity struck me. This is from a guy who is supposed to be a leader at his church? Yikes. Let me clarify, I wasn't personally offended, just kind of embarressed to be in a converastion with someone who approaches anything "other" with that kind of childish mentality.

I find this attitude running rampant through those tightly-knit communitites where any interest in what may lie outside of the established orthodoxy is viewed with suspicion, shock and disdain. It reminds me of another religiously-themed discussion that took a sudden detour into the judgmental and ignorant: I was talking to a friend's mother when I was 17 about the book I was reading (which happened to be the Dalai Lama's autobiography, "My Land, My People") and had barely noticed her look of discomfort as I was mentioning the architecture of this Buddhist temple that has been across the street from my childhood home from the last 20+ years. I wanted to discuss religious architecture in general and its influences and similarities and had literally said, "The inside of the temple gives off this feeling of..." when she cut me off with a snap response: "Evil!" I was not quite as composed at 17 as I am now (was anyone?) but I did manage to respond with, "Um...no. Not at all." I then quickly mentioned the high ceilings that are so common in religious architecture of all faiths to convey the transcedence and permeating presence of the ineffable before scuttling off to talk to a friend of mine.

So I guess...wtf people? Why the fear and intolerance?



*I was informed by a gentleman in Laguna Beach that the Sanskrit more or less meant "hare Krishna", which in turn is translated, in its full devotional form, to "O energy of God, O God (Krishna), please engage me in Your service". I do not claim to have bought this shawl specifically for the lettering beyond its aesthetics, but I think it's only fair to understand what I'm wearing in a cultural context. Plus, how much smarter do I appear when I can translate the Sanskrit on my wrap?