After climbing to the peak of the mountain, we went into the church built on the site where St. Thomas (AKA 'Doubting Thomas') was murdered.
It is a beautiful monument full of icons and thousand-year old artwork. And as I was crossing myself in front of the alter, a woman looked at me and asked why I was wearing the Bindi (red dot worn on the forehead by Hindu's) if I was a Christian. Religion is a touchy subject, especially in a church. I simply told the woman that I was a visitor to this country, and was trying to respect the culture.
Afterward however, I could not stop thinking about religions and religious differences.
Personally, I believe that God is the father of the world. And like a father, he will bring you opportunities and people you need in your life, but he will also let you learn from your mistakes and leave it up to the individual to create your own situation in this world. I am a Christian, an Eastern Orthodox Christian. Yet, this did not stop me from feeling enlightened in the Hindu temple, nor does it deplete the sense of security you get by wearing the Bindi (used to protect the mind and soul). In fact, using multiple perspectives makes me feel closer than ever to this awesome invisible power that we all celebrate in our own culturally-accepted ways.
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