Franisbueno and I used to work together when we were both active duty in the Air Force. With one or two exceptions we had a wonderful working environment and enjoyed working there.
Frequently our squadron would hold fundraisers to enable us to have get togethers and take care of our own. These typically consisted of breakfast burrito sales and bake sales.
Usually the night before bake sales, a few of us would get together and bake cookies while watching X-files or movies. This occasionally also included coloring one members hair (usually after all the cookies were made), but that is for another entry (I still have pictures!).
We would coordinate this while at work. The coordination usually consisted of one of us popping into the other's work center and asking, "So, wanna get together tonight to bake cookies and drink beer?"
On one occasion, I wandered somewhat aimlessly into Frannikins office and asked, "So, wanna get together tonight to bake cookies and drink beer?”
Her NCOIC (Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge), a middle aged devoutly religious Master Sergeant turned, looked at me, and had the gall to say, "Oh, I thought you were a Christian!"
Without missing a beat, I turned to him and straight faced replied, “I didn’t know it was a sin to bake cookies!”
A very interesting philosophical discussion ensued regarding faith, sin and the definitions of each. The MSgt maintaining that partaking of alcohol was a sin and as a devout Christian it was his duty to police over his fellow Christian’s and help to keep them on the righteous path.
When I pointed out that even Christ served wine, his reply was that it was not what we know of as wine today, but actually grape juice. At that point I asked his age. He didn’t understand what that had to do with anything. I informed him that with him having that knowledge I presumed that he had been at those incidents since he was giving what appeared to be an intimate account of things.
Of course he spouted that it was nothing of the sort and he was going on faith alone.
Faith is a very personal thing. Each person is required to interpret for themselves the teachings and writings of the faith they follow. Those that follow no faith are required to interpret the rules of the society in which they live. By doing these things we can determine for ourselves what is right or wrong. Nowhere in there does it say we should police our fellow man in how they live their lives.
Needless to say, the MSgt was not too thrilled with my interpretation of the Christian Faith. Being the devout church going man he was, he was certain he was more knowledgeable than I, and therefore it was his duty to set me straight.
I don’t think he ever understood why I laughed as I walked away from him.
Hey Fran, wanna get together to bake cookies and drink beer?