Religion has been a constant theme in our lives. We were taught at a young age that religion existed, and where I lived, Christianity was drilled into my social expectations and my beliefs before I could even fully understand what I was subjected to believe in. Now I live in a mostly Southern Baptist portion of the state, so believing in what everyone else does is just a given because they expect that you are a part of their religion as well.

So, when something in my life happens that warrants an “I’ll pray for you” comment I accept it because I know that’s part of their religion. It is their answer to what they believe in even if I don’t believe in what they’re praying for.

Then there are the Jehovah Witnesses who come to my door and try to educate me on not getting an abortion…when I was 12 years old. I accept their pamphlets. I don’t judge the fact that they came to my home to educate me because we live in a country of religious freedom, and I am proud of that statement; however, there is a double standard in this country.

People assume I am religious. They will talk about God like I believe in him, and they don’t even question the idea that I might not be religious, and I must keep quiet about it or else they judge me for it, even though the whole “only God can judge me” should apply to that circumstance in their mind not mine.

I had a friend whose mother would ask what religion I am, or what church I go to. She assumed what I was, and when I told her she judged. She decided I wasn’t an appropriate friend for her daughter. Her mistake—assuming we are all the same believers and labeling others as beneath her because they do not believe in the god she does, but I shouldn’t have to lie or be ashamed that I am not affliated with the church.

I tell people I am agnostic (I don’t completely dismiss the idea of religion being truth because I have no real proof to dismiss it) and—no I am not ashamed to claim being one—they either ask me about it with interest or compartmentalize me in their mind that I am going to Hell, or am less important in their mind because I don’t believe in what they do.

Teachers in high school assumed everyone was religious. They would expect me to know off the top of my head a certain verse that somehow connects to their subject matter for that day. I felt inadequate in my literature class because Christianity, and only Christianity, was discussed, but I understand why: themes in literature and books we read could easily be connected back to the origin of all human life.

I am not dismissing that because it is true. I am dismissing the notion that we all come from the same religion and that assumptions should not be praised. Yes, where I grew up there is very little distinction of religious inconsistency because of its small town and traditional beliefs, but that does not mean that there is not an inconsistency that is hidden behind the dominance of Christianity.

There is a double standard, a judgement placed on my beliefs that do not necessarily match the people surrounding me, and it is not as big of an issue as some other religious prejudices but it does exist when it shouldn’t. I will wait for the day when those double standards do not shame people of different beliefs.