For God and My Country

The motto on the Ugandan coat of arms reads, "For God and My Country." Religion plays a very visible role in the lives of Ugandans. 85% of Ugandans are Christian and there's a sizable Muslim population at about 12%. There are churches, big and small, all around cities and villages and the call to prayer can be heard frequently as you move through town. 

Politics and religion have and complex and controversial relationship in the United States. However, in my day to day life, especially growing up in the Bay Area, I've never felt that my lack of faith has been out of the ordinary. 

Most of the meetings I've been to, both official government meetings and smaller ones at health facilities, start with an opening prayer. In my experience, these prayers have always been led by a Christian, though my coworker says that if a Muslim would like to lead the prayer, he or she could do so as well.

My friend Ashley was invited to a Born Again Easter Sunday service by a teacher at her school and I tagged along with her. Here's a snippet of that experience. Tons of dancing and singing made for a very interactive (and tiring) service. 

Here in Uganda, when asked about my religious practices, I usually just say, "my dad was raised Christian." For the most part, that deflects an otherwise longer conversation that I don't have the energy to have.
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