Conviction

So I have a shit ton of free time right now. I know no one here, have no major plans and it is very stormy so as of now there isn't much swimming going on. Instead I'm writing posts and emails and reading a couple of books (God help me when the books run out). If you wanted to hear from me, skype with me or call me (which is free) just email and I will set it up because I really am that bored.

This entire post wasn't just a cry for social contact though. I do have an interesting Tunisia story. Yesterday during my excruciating several hour wait for a train I was talking to a Tunisian guy in a mixture of Arabic and English. We somehow ended up on the topic of religion and he asked me what I thought of the Islamic man. I told him that it was an interesting religion and it is certainly something I would like to learn more about. He took his as a cue to try to explain why it is better than the other religions. His rational was that when you become a Muslim you feel things that you have never felt before.

There is really no way for me to argue with that logic, I tried to explain that I had no interest in converting but the message wouldn't quite get through. Instead he tried to teach me some new Arabic words. In particular he tried to have me repeat after him, “There is no God but God and Mohammad is his prophet.” I caught on after about 4 or 5 words and asked him, “Aren't Muslims the only ones who are allowed to say that.”

His reply, “Yes after you say it you will be a Muslim man.”

It was at this point that I politely excused myself from the conversation and found a new place to wait for my train. But here is the thing, the conversation has stuck with me for the last day, and I'm still pissed off. The man was obviously educated and put together, he seemed bright and engaging, however he had no qualms about taking away my right to believe, or not believe, in the God of my choice. A choice that, as far as I understand, most religions grant all people (though they all believe that if it is not their god you are an idiot). Move over, if there is one thing I would think a Tunisian would understand it would be the natural right to choice whether it be governments, or God.

Well I'm glad I got that off my chest. I'm sure ya'll will hear from me again the the next couple of days as I continue watching the rain fall outside my room.