By NADA ANDERSEN
One thing that puzzles me about Ugandans is this dire need to underline how religious one is. Be it a Christian or any other denomination, to many people, this is the most important thing in life, and they will not stop short of telling you as much.
But the actions often speak the opposite. Or why, then, do we have a brother cheating a brother, a family wrangling over land, a child sidelined by a stepmother – to mention but a few mild ones.
To me, being a Christian (or anything else) is a state of mind and soul, not a state of physical presence. A church is inside each person if one bothers to find it. A prayer is every deed that’s not hurting anyone else.
That’s why I can’t comprehend that maroon satin dress thirty-odd years ago at KPC when I asked the driver if there was a nightclub nearby, yet the lady was just going to church. Or the guy who was peddling herbal supplements to the congregation. Or so many other examples.
Heading into Orthodox Christmas, I will bake the bread and burn a branch of an oak tree. These are our pagan rituals that follow Orthodox Christmas. I will follow what is given to me and feed and water who comes. I will pray for the sanity of you all. Santa will not come – he’s done his job in the consumerist world. Ther will be a day to remember peace, love, and brotherhood among people.
That’s all we need, really.
If Twitter Christians can draw a conclusion please.
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