Interesting Conversations in a Bar

Tonight I saw a movie and had drinks with a good friend from school. I was interested to learn that she was a loyal Christian because I am an Agnostic and I find talking with religious friends to be insightful. It was interesting to learn how many of the things I believe in are also taught in the Christian religion. As I reflect on the conversation we had, I am drawn to the fact that I came up with many of the ideas taught in the Christian faith on my own. For example, I am a firm believer in doing good things for others not because I want the recognition but because it is the right thing to do. I feel like our world has become torn and tattered by greed and materialistic ideals. I believe that caring for others around me is more important that becoming famous. It was interesting in talking with this friend because when we discussed our views on life, they really appeared to be very similar. In talking to her it was clear to me that not all Christian, or religious people in general, are as crazy as some of those soap box preachers screaming about how we are all going to hell. It is nice to know that there are genuinely good people out there, even if other people paint them in a bad light because of the religion they follow. This conversation has pushed me to do more research on the different religious views out there. I think I will be visiting a Christian church soon, not because I want to be converted but because I want to know their side. I like to think tolerance comes with knowledge and I am a firm believer in the fact that I have know right to presume one religion has true authority over another. That being said, I am excited to talk to other religious peoples and see what their views are too.