Definitely not the raunchiest entry.

My heart sank like Virginia Woolf. Following a recount of my experience working at a birthing center, I had just told my mother over the phone that the midwives and obstetrician-gynecologists I worked with recommended a pelvic exam at least once a year for females eighteen years old and over. “No,” was the instant reply. When asked why, my mother told me it was unnecessary for women to have an exam when they were not sexually active or married—the implication either being that women should not be sexually active until they get married, or that only sexually active women require pelvic exams—both statements which I did not agree with. It saddened me because my mother’s religious and cultural beliefs were contaminating her view of standard health protocol. I can’t say, however, that I was saddened by her view on sex because I believe all people are different and entitled to their own beliefs. Just as I think it is wrong to judge a single person who has had multiple sexual partners, I think it is also wrong to judge someone who believes in abstinence before marriage. What makes me even sadder, though, is the thought that your average Smithie does not share my sentiments.

Smith professes to be a diverse and accepting community, yet I find it to only be that way towards people who fit within a certain mold. If you are a Conservative or a Republican, you are not welcome. If you believe there is a God, you are not welcome (especially if you are Christian.) This is mainly because people automatically assume that your identification as a Conservative/Republican/Monotheist insinuates that you are a homophobe devoid of reason. Thus, here at Smith my mother would probably be used as the perfect case study of an ignorant, religiously fanatic prude. Her religion, culture and views on marriage immediately culminate in one point: she is wrong. This is how Smithies can be just as narrow-minded and judgmental as the people they profess to differ completely from.

My concern, specifically, is on how culture and religion affect perceptions of sex. The personal beliefs I hold vacillate constantly between those who view it like my mother, and those who view it like so many Smithies. As much as I love my heritage and culture, it’s wrong to deny women of basic needs related to their reproductive health. Yet I believe in pursuing monogamous relationships because they are more fulfilling. As for religion, I strive to follow most of the absolutes written in the doctrine of my faith. But at the same time, I don’t think God is as completely rigid about rules as He is often interpreted to be. I told my mother this once, and she asked me what I meant. She also asked how I could possibly even formulate the idea of someone—God—who I had never even met.

I'm not ready to talk about all aspects of my religious beliefs with anyone yet, but I will close with a little scenario I like to play in my head every once in awhile and is a running favorite with the minuscule menagerie of an audience inside the theater of my brain. In essence, this is what I meant:

Armageddon happens. Global warming melts all the glaciers on earth, chinchillas, maltese terriers and everything else cuddly becomes extinct and Mad Men is canceled. The next morning God appears. Actual God. Turns out He/She did exist. God didn't make a huge entry. Just turned up simultaneously in the corner of every living room on the planet and proceeded to introduce Him/Herself. God was like looking at pure colours, the idea of a face. Not like Dick Cheney. God was actually pretty cute. Strangely, people didn't go berserk or faint or anything like that. God had a very calming, subduing presence, like a hug from an obese friend. At this time and place, He/She seemed to make sense.

Truth is, no one really knew what to do as they'd never experienced a desire to worship before. God was quite modest and didn't really want a fuss made, so He/She was treated as another member of the family. God possessed divine knowledge and was great for advice, but was diplomatic as well. For example, if asked about your econ. problem set, God would often just give you the answer. But when asked why Rwanda happened, God gazed off into the distance and ate a banana with a furrowed brow. Hilarious, intelligent, heart-breaking, and a little bit insane-- God was the ultimate friend. Sometimes, people got militant about their relationship with God and abused others for failing to love Him/Her enough. When this got too heated, God would zap them with his freeze ray and they'd chill out. It was a pretty good system.

Cheers,
Amanda