Of faith and Chettinad curry

Last night was interesting if that doesn't sound cliched. We decided to go for the spicy chettinad curry in Little India before V leaves for Dubai. The place is so full on Mondays! -but we did manage to get a table. Soon we saw a motley bunch enter- one was a Ang Mo (that's the local term for gora) the second was Indian and three were distinctly African-looking. Four of them sat down at a table next to us and there was one who had no place to sit- so we offered our table. He seemed quite friendly and in no time started talking about why he was here (to attend a training in "leadership"), where he was from (Solomon Islands!) and how much he was tempted to buy for his kids from here.

When he spoke, it was like going back in time- I mean seriously when was the last time you had a middle aged-person speak of peace and serenity and the happiness his kids bring with no reference to job/career/travel for twenty serious minutes? I was thoroughly enjoying his simplicity and his child like enthusiasm about the "organisation" and cleanliness of Singapore. A few minutes before he had sat down at our table, there was an Indian who, while waiting for a place in the restaurant, dragged a chair from our table and sat with his back facing us and the moment a place was announced by the waiter, jumped to get it (and I swear I am not exaggerating) without so much as a smile at us. I was just thinking about how drab and dull we Indian expats have become here- so jaded that even smiling doesn't come easy. And as an answer to my thoughts, comes this islander who is all smiles!

But why would life be called a paheli if that was the story? Even as the gentleman was relishing the chettinad spices, his Ang mo friend (I was so tempted to ask him if his name was Obelisk- get the picture?) turned to me and asked me if I would like to go to heaven or hell. And in an instant- it all fell into place- "leadership training"....evangelism! Too amused to stop, I replied- "heaven of course" to which he said that the only way I could do that was to invite Jesus into my heart.
I said "but I do have Jesus in my heart".
"Are you hindu?"
"yes"
"This is the problem with you hindus- you have so many Gods that Jesus is another of those"
"And whats wrong with that?"
"Jesus has to be invited with an open heart"
"How would thinking of Jesus as another form of God be called closed?"
"We have met for a purpose- Jesus has sent his message to you through me- you can make a choice of heaven or hell now"

We had to leave for the fear of missing V's flight but I wish I could have stayed on and spoken to the Ang mo. I wish to understand how it is civilized to call me "you hindus" and to brush aside my faith as if the only thing that mattered in the world is that I (and everyone else) believe in what he believed in. I wish to understand how any intelligent person believes that there is but one truth? That there is but one colour in this world? If it is so, what is day and what is night? Can we say that the sun is there- can we say that it is not there? Are both not true? And yet both not true?

I am born into this faith which respects all religious beliefs because fundamentally, no religion can be in conflict with the universal quest of man- his search for himself and for the ultimate answers to his existence. I fail to understand why someone has to constantly re-affirm his own faith by way of making another person "convert" to his faith. I wish this stops- can we not be at peace with each one's beliefs?

When I was thinking of this episode this morning, I remembered that the gentleman from Solomon Island was quiet through all our conversation. When we were leaving, he said- " I am so glad I met you both and hope you will look me up in Solomon Island". No evangelism here- just humane-ness. That thought made me smile with relief. There are still people in this world who have perspective-Thank God (in whichever form!)