Below I have shared a conversation with a woman who contacted me because of a personal ad and was interested in finding out more. I think I'm the one who came away finding out the most.

[HER]: i have a geocities webpage lol

[HER]: but i don't know if you'd like it that much

[ME]: Why's that???

[HER]: as you are agnostic or other right?

[ME]: Other.

[HER]: it is kinda Christian-leaning

[ME]: I am definitely not agnostic.

[HER]: what is "other"?

[ME]: Umm... not listed above, heh.

[HER]: buddhist?

[HER]: wiccan?

[ME]: Nope.

[HER]: druid?

[ME]: I dont follow a specific following.

[HER]: i see lol

[ME]: But I definitely have spiritual beliefs.

[HER]: sorry, not laughing at you. two margaritas and everything is funny to me

[At this point, opening up her page, I saw that it was a discourse on the Christian guy she wanted to have in her life... not that he had to go to church or be a saint, just that he accepts Jesus as his Saviour and live a good life.]

[ME]: No, its okay.

[ME]: I couldnt really explain it anyway.

[HER]: no not at all

[HER]: i am pretty openminded

[HER]: to each their own

[ME]: Its kinda a "this is the best guess I can come up with so far"

[ME]: Dont be so quick to judge

[HER]: me? judge??!?! as IF lol

[ME]: Hmmm... I didnt mean it like that.

[ME]: Just cuz I might not technically be Christian doesnt mean I cant appreciate your page... that was all I meant.

[HER]: ahhhh, i see

[Of course, at this point she WAS judging as we shall soon see... skipping ahead...]

[HER]: so u like Christian and Gospel music?

[ME]: Depends on the Genre on the Christian.

[ME]: And some Gospel is okay.

[ME]: But I dont listen to it too much.

[HER]: Have u ever heard of Newcomers Home

[ME]: Nope.

[HER]: do u like contemporary Christian

[ME]: No, not really.

[HER]: like more of the rock/alternative Christian type of music?

[ME]: I need to be straight up. I'm not Christian and I dont really have many Christian aspects in my life. And it doesnt bother me that other people do.

[HER]: straight up lol

[HER]: so what are your religious beliefs?

[ME]: I believe in a God but as a very very complex concept.

[ME]: I believe that there are lots of "right" answers out there.

[ME]: And that religion is a personal process.

[ME]: Its hard to describe really.

[ME]: I am a gnostic.

[ME]: I believe that the spiritual can manifest in the physical.

[HER]: hmmmm ok

[ME]: I just want you to know that. I respect very much that your beliefs are a huge part of your life and you are looking for someone who can share those beliefs with you.

[ME]: And in that regard, I could not be that person in terms of sharing those beliefs.

[HER]: ok

[ME]: From my end, it wouldnt bother me.

[HER]: good 2 b honest

[ME]: But if its important to you, I dont want to waste your time.

[ME]: If you're looking for a Christian guy, that's something I will never be.

[HER]: it is important. but most people's beliefs change over time. while i would not try to actively convert you, whose to say you would not become a Christian on your own?

[ME]: That is a very complex question, but I am pretty confident that I never would.

[ME]: I guess the same could be turned over to you, do you think that you could be a non-christian in the future?

[HER]: who knows.

[HER]: but i doubt it

[ME]: Exactly.

[ME]: And I share that same feeling.

[HER]: lol

[ME]: Obviously for different reasons.

[HER]: getting sleeeppy

[She doesn't even realize that she is judging, minimizing others' beliefs, and hoping for a conversion of my heathenness. Realizing that wont happen, its bed time for her. Conversation over. He's not *THE ONE*.]

"What did I really think fifteen years ago? A nonbeliever, I felt guilty in the midst of all those believers. And since it seemed to me that they were in the right, I decided to believe, as you might decide to take aspirin: It can't hurt and you might get better."
-- Umberto Eco's Foucault's Pendulum

--Grue