not going to heaven

Interesting conversation last night at the bar adjacent to the bar with the overbearing waiter (we needed a break from the attention). Was chatting to a friend from work, P, and she brought up – I can’t remember why – the subject of christening and baptising. I mentioned that many people back in Oz are not very religious and don’t get baptized or christened, and that I hadn’t been. I can’t remember the exact lead-up to the next part of the conversation, but it went like this:

P: But you believe in God, don’t you?

Me: No.

I should point out here that I tend to avoid mentioning my (un)religious status here unless it’s very much in context/relevant to any given discussion. Atheism in the Philippines can often be misconstrued as semi-evil and even, D tells me, as satanist.

Anyway – P expressed disbelief and then what seemed a genuine, deep sadness. At one point I thought her eyes were tearing up. We had a good chat about our two views. I gave my spiel on how it’s not a passionless, cold way to think etc, and that I get a genuine sense of awe at the unlikeliness, the random improbability of existence when seen from my viewpoint of life/existence having no intrinsic purpose/point. I’m not sure that P was the slightest bit convinced of my position. She didn’t think I was evil, at least (though she did said I should get baptized when I’m old or I won’t go to heaven).

It was very interesting and I was impressed by her depth of feeling about my tragic choice. Plus, it goes without saying that it's much better that someone is simply sad, rather than violent, when they don't understand another's religious views.

Can't think of any attempted wit to finish on, damn it. Good day.