division

Friday is for Islam what Sunday is for Christianity: the world stops for about an hour for worship. Today was the first time that I had ever set foot in a mosque: I was so curious. As a woman, I was fully anticipating sitting behind a curtain for the entire service. Instead, our group was aloud to sit in the back of the main area. I had the chance to watch everything. When we first arrived, attendance seemed very low. By the time everything ended, it was SRO. I was surprised to see many of the men in traditional dress, and even more surprised to see that some of them had their children with them. One in particular was struggling to pay attention. As the service went on, and his dad was knelt down in prayer, the little boy jumped onto his father piggy-back style. I was fully expecting a sharp reprimand, or punishment of some sort. Instead, the dad lovingly embraced his son and then continued to pray. Good dad.

After the service, we joined a group of high-schoolers for an "informational session." Oh my. It started off rather well with Mary Ali giving us as much info as we could possibly take in. And then the questions started. How frustrating. The other group was Christian as well, but their intentions were not so good. The questions became very offensive quickly. Sitting in the back row, it seemed hopeless. No matter how many good questions were asked, they drowned in the sea of attacks. People do no convert in arguments. I dare say that Jesus is not honored when we try to shove Christianity down someone's throat. I am not saying that I agree with the Islamic faith. I am just saying that fighting hurts so much more than it helps. No wonder the division is so strong.