A MILLENNIAL’S POV Feeling slighted by an atheist upbringing
By Kimberly Elliot
Kimberly Elliot is an associate with a Toronto-based marketing agency.
There is a man who stands at a busy intersection
I would pray if I could. If I believed that prayers
near where I live holding a sign that says “Jesus
could be answered, praying would likely take up the
loves you.” He turns to face oncoming traffic as the
bulk of my day. But I was raised by atheist parents
lights change so no one feels left out. The first time I
and to entertain the idea that God exists was to
saw him, the sign was scribbled on some white foam
lower yourself to a lesser school of thought (hence
board. More recently he’s upgraded to a graphic
the knee-jerk reaction to give the finger to “Jesus
T-shirt that also says “Jesus is coming” on the back.
loves you” traffic-light-guy). Religious believers were
Some days he’s out there at 6 in the morning, others
members of a “flat earth society,” as Mom would
closer to lunch.
put it. God and science were mutually exclusive. My
And I think he’s wonderful! Years ago, if I’m being honest, I might have honked and given him the finger, I’m truly embarrassed to say. Far be it from me to quietly allow someone’s religion to invade my space. But I’m feeling more tolerable, maybe even receptive of that message. These times we’re living in have me wondering what life would be like today if I could take a knee (knees?) and pray to God. Maybe I feel (kind of, sort of) slighted by my atheist upbringing (sorry, Mom).
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SIDEONE OCTOBER 2020
Mom is one of the absolute smartest people I’ve ever met, so of course I’m a product of that environment.
SPECK OF DUST IN SPACE As a kid I can remember feeling wholly consumed by the notion that there is nothing after life. I pictured floating through the black sky, eternally alone. Being without the confines of a body or mind or conscience. A speck of dust in space but without stars, or sun, or planets. The idea would come to me at random; in the shower, at soccer practice,
