About a month ago, I received a lengthy letter (snail mail) from my old college roommate. We lived together for 5 years! We had lots in common including a love for music. He credits me for getting him interested in jazz. He eventually became head jazz professor at Ill. Wesleyan U.

Anyway, he called me Monday and asked if I wanted to join him in going to a funeral visitation Tuesday of a mutual friend while we were at IU in Bloomington IN. I didn't want to, but was talked into it.

We met half way, talked all the way down and back. I was glad I went, although the whole trip totaled 6 hours.

Here's the funny thing. The morning of the day Tom called, I emailed him a response to his letter, and I thought he was calling back. However, he never did get the message. I spent a lot of time writing my response because it was about my religious (or non-religious) views. You see, Tom is a Mormon (LDS). He was extending an invitation, if you will, to "see the light". Well, I've seen the light, and it ain't Mormonism! The view of science is my "religion".

Naturally, the subject came up in the car. He listened to my response, and seemed to take it well, but was concerned about my after-life future (I'm sure to go to hell).

On top of that, after a brief political spar (he being a fundamentalist Republican), I began to realize our lifelong friendship was in jeopardy. It would not be easy to continue being on opposite sides of both religious and political fences. Besides, I was put off by his attitude.
We parted with a hug, but it'll never be the same. I should have ignored his letter and stayed at home.