religion ❣

Others

Connor meets a wonderful girl. He really likes her. Luckily for him, she really likes him too. They meet and have a lot of fun together. They share their hopes and dreams. Connor decides this is the woman of his dreams.

Connor tells his parents about her. His parents disapprove. "It cannot be, Connor," his mother says. "She has a different religion. They are other people. They are not like us."

Connor is confused. "But you always say we should respect all people, and never judge anyone until we get to know them."

"Yes, Connor," says his father, "this is true in most cases, but not in this case. They have a different religion. They are a different kind of people. We cannot understand them and they cannot understand us."

Connor cannot agree with this. Something just does not sound right. "We are all people. They may dress differently and act differently, but we are all human. I think we should all meet."

In the end, Connor's parents agree to meet the girl and her family. They drive across the city to join them for a festive dinner.

The girl and her family are very nice, but they wear different clothes and serve different foods. They say different prayers. They have different customs. Connor's parents are concerned. Are they good people? Why do they do all these things?

The girl's mother is a wise woman. She explains their tradition. She translates their prayers. She tells them a few of their ancient stories.

"That is so beautiful," Connor's mother smiles.

"And quite similar to our own," Connor's father nods.

They look around them, as if for the first time. They have heard of a different kind of people, but these are people just like them. They have thought their ways were strange and different, but there is generosity and purpose behind them.

What is the purpose? To become a better person, have a happy family, and make the world a better place