Beyond enjoying the ride with Uber or Lyft, I have appreciated the education I have received sitting next to drivers who hail primarily from Africa and Central and South America. Ignoring conventional practices of cell-phoning, I attempt to engage them in conversation about each of our heritages so I can learn about other cultures. Recently two of my favorite topics "just happened" to be worked into the conversation.
The aging process:
I was taken somewhat aback when my driver from Mozambique did not respond in the usual way when I "just happened" to mention that I was 93! "My grandfather lived until he was 117," was his response. I was delighted that he was loquacious enough and the ride expensive enough so I could learn what he perceived as the reason for such longevity. "Every day he would get up at dawn and walk 30 minutes East to see the sunrise. There he would express gratitude for the fullness of his life. He would then slowly return home taking an hour and a half to greet friends and family. He had no stress!
Religion:
It didn't take long for my lifelong infatuation with religion to be rekindled when my driver said that he grew up and lived much of his life in Sierra Leone. OMG thought I. I haven't thought about Sierra Leone since my childhood days as a member of the Mission Band and Little Heralds in my San Antonio church. "Tell me," said I, "Did the pennies and nickels we saved and gave the missionaries so they could bring Christianity to your country do good or cause problems?" Taking his right hand off the wheel, he made a downward motion with his thumb, and said, "In a country 80% Muslim it has resulted in nothing but endless conflict."
I find it fascinating that while religion has played a major role in providing me to my life personally,there are two conclusions that haunt me.
1. Throughout human experience, religion his played a major role in bringing conflict and war, but it is only through a proper understanding of religion the world's problems can be managed.
2. All religions are creations and expressions of human design and an differ in evolving social milieu. It is in the tenants and practices of all religions that are grounded in love and kindness that life can be given maximum meaning.
