Shuttle Driver Theology

I took the shuttle up to the Embassy last week and was again the only one riding that day.  As usual, the shuttle driver took the opportunity of a captive audience to expound upon life in Egypt.  This driver, Ahmed, felt compelled to give me a lesson in theology.

Ahmed began by saying that he knows my husband and thinks that he is a very kind man.  'He always smiles and seems very happy.  People should be happy- it makes God happy to see that people are happy.  So people should try to be happy all of the time.'  Feeling mischievous, I asked why God sent bad things to people if He would prefer that we all be happy.  After a few minutes trying to answer, Ahmed gave up.  I am not sure whether it was his English or his theology that was the problem, but I didn't push it.

The next topic that Ahmed brought up was children.  He asked if I had any children and I said I wasn't sure if I wanted children because they are a lot of work.  Although he agreed that they are, he disagreed with my reasoning.  'You should have children.  Why?  If you decide not to have children and the next lady decides not to have children very soon there will be no children in the world.  You should pray to God whether you should have a child or not.  If he blesses you, you will have one boy and one girl.'   

After bringing God into two conversations, Ahmed felt the need to explain why.  'I don't need to ask whether you are Jewish, Muslim, or Christian.  All people worship the same God, and God answers everyone's prayers.'  To a middle-aged Middle Eastern man, the thought that some people might not believe in God was probably outside his ability to comprehend.  As I do believe in God, I didn't see the need to argue this point.  I was impressed with Ahmed's all-inclusive theology, however.  I don't know whether the official Muslim doctrines support the idea that God is the same God for all people and He listens to everyone's prayers.  Whether it is accurate or not, I suspect that were this belief more widely shared there would be much less conflict around. 

Ahmed's final contribution to my Egyptian Theology instruction was God's Antibiotic.  I was going to the Embassy to see the doctor about a rash on my arms.  Ahmed looked it over and suggested I do the following: 'Put your finger under your tongue (to moisten it). Then, run your finger along the outside edge of your earlobe.  In a few days your problem will be gone.  This is God's Antibiotic.'  So far the suggestions of the embassy doctor are working well, but if I suffer a setback I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try the Egyptian way!