Won't Go to Heaven!

Sometimes I wonder why people feel the need to impose their beliefs on others. A few weeks back I had an encounter with an old lady. I like chatting with old people, specially old women. They remind me of Amma. Also, because often of my conversations with them end up being profound and wise.

However, not this time. So, this lady smiled at me and told me, "You are so pretty!". I smiled back at her and said, "Thank you!". Since she was alone (I assume waiting for her family) I didn't mind talking to her. She then asked me, "Which church do you go to?". I was startled by such a random question but I politely responded, "I do not go to any Church. I am not Christian." She literally gasped at my response and reached out to hold my hands. I do not know why my reflexes didn't kick-in (usually I cringe whenever a stranger happens to touch me, intentionally or not!) and before I knew she had both my hands in her tight grip. She exclamed, " Oh my God! Do you know you won't go to heaven because you are not a Christian?!". I was shocked at her statement and at a momentary loss of words. Part of me wanted to answer back to her (and say, "I doubt Jesus is letting you in to heaven either!") and the part of me wanted to run away from her. However, I told her while still maintaining my calm and composure (Mom! You should be so proud of me right about NOW!), "That's alright. I am sure I will get where ever my destiny takes me." But I already knew that she was not going to give up that easy. "No! You don't understand you really won't go to heaven! Come and pray with me!", she then said. THAT WAS IT. I got my hands out of her grip and told her, "I do not want to pray with you, but please feel free to pray for me!" (Mom, continue being proud of me!). She asked my name, and then said a little prayer for me to Jesus while I got out of there as FAST as I could. Last I heard she called out my name in the beginning and ended her prayer with an, "Amen!". Since then I have been thinking about that incident. What compels people to make everyone think like they do? What can't people have different beliefs? I aware she was from another generation and their thoughts might not be that liberal but I know a lot of people who would have done the exact same thing and they are probably even younger than I am. I, on the other hand, am completely at peace with everyone disagreeing with me and/or believing in whatever they wish to. As a matter of fact I like it when people disagree with me. Makes me feel one-of-a-kind, and enforces the fact that I do not follow a herd mentality. But that topic can have a post all for itself another time. For now, let's see if I make it to heaven, eh?
Won't go to heaven!

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