Utahns seem to have taken advantage of the First Amendment — or perhaps they’ve simply misconceived its prime intent. It seems that everywhere you go, religion is ubiquitous. Most people in Utah have the assumption that everyone practices some form of religion and through this religious camaraderie, you are a member of some exclusive club. However, if you are not religious, you are made to feel left out of this exclusive club.

Growing up in Utah, in retrospect, has been somewhat difficult. On first meeting a person it’s common to wonder not about a person’s character or where they may be from. What’s the first thing you think when you meet someone in Utah? “Is this person religious?”

Then the bigger question, is this person part of my religion? This trivial thought dictates how you feel about the people you meet.

According to bestplaces.net, about 79 percent of Utahns practice or claim a religion, whereas in the entire United States a mere 48 percent claim religious affiliation. This could explain the obsessive nature we in Utah have towards religion.

Many of us fall victim to this thought process early in the public school system and can’t escape it as long as we are in contact with Utah culture. You are led to believe that those with high morals and good ethics practice religion. What is the assumption here towards those who claim to not practice any type of religion? This unfair and prejudiced behavior leaves many feeling left-out and at times hurt. The remaining 21 percent who do not claim religious affiliation are shaped by their exclusion from what is considered normal. This exclusion shapes how they feel toward the religiously righteous. Being discriminated against or even marginalized for any reason causes negative feelings, often of hate and animosity, which in the end leaves no one a winner.

Such thoughts make one wonder, if religion is being practiced in its true essence, then where is the love and acceptance that is seemingly the mantra of most religions? On a daily basis, I have to engage in some kind of religious conversation. How many times do you talk of religion in a day?

On a recent trip to San Diego, my brother and I decided to hit the town. Midday we found ourselves hungry and decided to stop at this cute little restaurant for a bite to eat. We sat down at our table and the server approached us and engaged us in some friendly shallow conversation asking us where we were from and what we were doing in San Diego. In the midst of this very light-hearted conversation I accidently slipped and asked what religion she practiced (one of the few indiscretions I have acquired being a Utahn). The server was obviously caught off guard and defensively retorted with a “Why?” and honestly, I had no idea why I was interested in her religious affiliation. Uncomfortably, I simply replied, “Just curious.”

This forceful shove is just too much and unnecessary. I hate to play the blame game, but I blame Utah for my default of asking about her religion. I wish Utah, like many of our other states, could be progressive and accepting as a society in regards to religion.

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