Harlem #5

Yesterday's trip to Harlem was great. I feel really lucky to have been able to see, in a more up close & personal way, what Malcolm's life was like. It was really moving to walk the same streets that Malcolm X once walked. My least favorite aspect of the trip was the amount of time spent in the bus, rather than experiencing the walk of the New York City streets. I guess, though, that it was healthier for me (who is still getting over the flu) to sit in a heated bus rather than walk in the freezing cold. My two favorite aspects of the trip were the experiences in the Apollo Theater and in the Mosque. Our tour guide at the Apollo was so animated and such a pleasure to spend time with. He put on a great show and kept his audience very captive. It was also a lot of fun to watch our very own students get up and perform. I also enjoyed the experience at the mosque because the Brother was so forthcoming and so concerned with answering our questions and with making certain our uncertainties. One of my favorite things about his "speech" was when he said that in Islam, the practicers NEVER aim to convert or attract others to their religion. Instead, Islam is about treating others with the same love for and care for as you would yourself. I love this about Islam, because I feel it is unlike Judaism and Christianity in this sense. I constantly feel that Jews and Christians are trying to recruit more people to "their" side of the spectrum. Although Jews and Christians get along, I feel that there is a subtle rivalry between the two. I, myself, am not at all religious. My parents never forced me to follow any religion. My father is Jewish and my mother is Lutheran. I do not attend either temple or church. I made this decision to not attend either when my parents gave me the choice of making my own decision. I believed then that if I had decided to be a church attendee and not a temple attendee, that I would be insulting my dad. And vise versa. Throughout my life, I have felt a lot of pressure and guilt for the decision I made not to become religious in either direction. I feel that people use my lack of religious knowledge against me, to belittle me, and to make themselves seem more educated, superior and "loved by God". I have never really talked to a Muslim before yesterday about his/her religion, like I have with Jews and Christians. I feel that yesterday's Muslim Brother took a different approach than most do when speaking about religion. I wasn't turned off or intimidated by what the Brother spoke about. Instead, he conveyed such respect for each individual before him. I love that he was able to be such a strong believer in his own belief, but also be fully accepting and understanding of those whom don't share his beliefs. I felt entirely welcome and respected as I sat there in the mosque. I often wonder about the communities within religious centers, including mosques, temples and churches. I think it would make me happy to be a part of something so tight knit; to be involved in some type of group with common beliefs and with uplifting spirits and souls. I wonder if it would give me a different bounce in my step. I think it would give me a feeling of comfort, worth and belonging. I found this blog of a really enthusiastic Church attendee. He seems to be really intrigued by of the retreats and workshops at his church.
http://socscc.blogspot.com/
It is awesome that he posts a blog and expresses his fervor for his religion with anybody interested in reading. This is kind of what I feel that I'm missing by not at all being a part of a religious community. Had I been, maybe I would fervently be excited and enlightened by similar beliefs as this other blogger. I think that would be nice - really nice - and even better to share the passion with other believers!