Religion.

Do a Google search and you will get a few different definitions. Let’s focus on this one though; “A pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.”

I’ve lived in town for a number of years and, although I’ve seen the church and the nuns (some good, some on fire, but mostly bad) come and go, I have been hard pressed to find a citizen who actually attends regularly. And by regularly, I mean more than just on Christmas and Easter.

So maybe there is an alternate form of worship going on. Maybe there are other pursuits that our fair city ascribes as having more supreme importance. I mean, who’s to say that the Vatican or the Southern Baptist Convention have a corner market on worship?

I would guess that the popular view of worship involves a few different things. 1)Someone on their knees; 2)Sobbing and tears; 3)A fear of being punished for ‘sinning’. So it was no surprise to me that while strolling through the, um…….seedier part of town, I saw all three of those on display at the end of an alleyway. It was a little difficult to understand the prayer the penitent parishioner was uttering, I mean, with her mouth full and everything, but I’m pretty sure it was something about her being a good girl from now on.

One pale, skittish woman I spoke with viewed herself as more of a spiritual person than religious. In fact, there was more than just a little hatred in her eyes as she spoke briefly of formalized religion.  But the tone of her voice as she mentioned visiting a gravesite was wrought with hope of an afterlife.

I attempted to get a comment from the local priest, but his secretary informed me that while the church is burned out, he was away on a seaside retreat with just him and the choir boys. Forgive them Father, for they have sinned. Evidently.

So, whatever your form of religion/worship/sacrifice, clean up after yourself and remember, “Smile. Because God…………..? She loves ya.”