I had a discussion with a friend the other day about very small minded christians. We are both from very religious backgrounds and my friend continues to be very involved in her church, I have since left any kind of organised religion yet continue to have a faith.

My friend's husband has a very strict family who say that if anyone came to their home with alcohol they would not let them in. This seemed outrageous to me, given that the 'christian message' is supposed to be about welcoming all people, plus I'm pretty sure Jesus enjoyed a good wine.

This got me thinking about religion and the extremes that some people will go to to uphold their beliefs, no matter how ridiculous or exclusive. I remember being a part of 'church life' and for a while it was perfect, but then I began to sit on the edges of group life and felt that I was being excluded. I think I began to step back when I could see that what people said in front of others was not what was happening in reality, yet I felt I was being myself and falling between the gaps because I was bumbling along trying to be both and (seemingly) failing at all.

I just wonder how people come to faith as an adult when to me the ideas that are sprouted in churches can be very single minded.

I'm not sure if this makes any sense, but for now I 'll keep on thinking.