I Don't Think I Quite Managed to Turn Off the Light...

[rusty_armour]

Unfortunately, I've been cursed with one of those boring, open faces that people feel comfortable approaching. Well, that and I've got a big neon sign on my forehead that reads, "SUCKER!" In any case, I was sitting on the subway, waiting for it to pull out of Don Mills Station, when this young woman sits on the set of seats closest to me. If I had followed my usual practice of sitting there with my eyes closed, half-dozing and trying to block out the world, she might not have said anything. However, it was one of those rare instances (on the TTC, anyway) when I had my nose in a book. I was just reading a passage describing this cool workshop where a suit of plate armour was being put together, when this young woman said, "Hi! How are you? What are you reading?"

I stared at her in confusion for a few seconds, before blurting out the first thing that popped into my head. "Do I know you?"

"No," the young woman said. "I'm Amanda and I'm a missionary."

Fighting off a wave of dread and panic, I immediately said, "Sorry, I'm not interested."

Amanda must be new at the missionary game because instead of trying to convert me, she simply stood up and walked out of the train. It wasn't a conscious effort on my part, but I must have shot her one of my PMS glares. I don't think it was the really potent one that can clear a path through a crowd, but it must have at least registered somewhere on the PMS-Glare-O-Meter. Well, whatever it was, I'm just grateful she left.

It's not so much that I have anything against Christianity per se. I just hate the fact that certain Christians believe that they have the superior religion and must convert everyone to this so-called superior faith. Well, I'm quite happy being an agnostic, thank you, so bugger off. Actually, to be honest, I'm not sure what I am. While I don't believe in God, I do believe in ghosts and think there might be something after death. Not heaven or hell, but something. Does that still make me an agnostic, or does that put me into an entirely different category? For some of you, the word "crackpot" might come to mind...And I made fun of the poor missionary. *g*

Comments

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

rofl - it's as if I'm reading my own writing here...With one friend recently turned muslem, others being decent catholics and me being nothing I too wondered in what box I should put myself. I did an internet pop quiz (VERY reliable, I know) and turned out to be an atheist humanist. Oh well, as long as the critter has a name... *shrugs*

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! Freaky! I just posted a comment on your LJ and then found one on mine! *g* I'm glad that I'm not the only person who hasn't figured herself out. Maybe I should track down the same internet pop quiz and see what I get. My mom is actually a humanist. Small world, eh?

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

I went through a Christianity phase. When I was in it, I wrote an article about evangelism. In it, I criticized that type of evangelism. If I can find it, I'll send it to you.

BTW, I call myself a post-Christian. I don't believe in a personal god; but I do believe there is an intelligence that created the universe. I also believe that some good came to society from Christianity and basic Christian morals like "Thou shalt not kill."

Oh, and anyone who starts up a conversation while I have my nose in a book would get a very nasty look. Books are sacrosanct. Never, ever disturb someone who is reading.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I went through a Christianity phase. When I was in it, I wrote an article about evangelism. In it, I criticized that type of evangelism. If I can find it, I'll send it to you.

That would be great! :-) I'd really like to read it if you can track it down.

BTW, I call myself a post-Christian. I don't believe in a personal god; but I do believe there is an intelligence that created the universe. I also believe that some good came to society from Christianity and basic Christian morals like "Thou shalt not kill."

That's interesting. In fact, that's a religion I could probably live with. I go back and forth on the question of whether an intelligence created the universe, but there's definitely something to be said for at least some of the basic Christian morals, such as "Thou shalt not kill".

Oh, and anyone who starts up a conversation while I have my nose in a book would get a very nasty look. Books are sacrosanct. Never, ever disturb someone who is reading.

LOL! It's nice to find someone else who feels this way! I think the "Books are sacrosanct" rule is something that should be adopted by all faiths! *g*

[tazzles.livejournal.com]

*snickers* Bloody zealots and their incessant need to push their beliefs on others. How would they feel if I knocked on their door and wanted to talk to them about the theory of evolution and natural selection. They can take their 'intelligent design' theory and stick it up their khyber.

Sorry. I'm not a fan of religion, it seems to cause too many problems.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

*snickers* Bloody zealots and their incessant need to push their beliefs on others. How would they feel if I knocked on their door and wanted to talk to them about the theory of evolution and natural selection. They can take their 'intelligent design' theory and stick it up their khyber.

LOL! I think it would be wonderful if the tables were turned and someone went to a zealot's door to preach the theory of evolution and natural selection. It would be even sweeter if it were paganism or atheism! *g*

Sorry. I'm not a fan of religion, it seems to cause too many problems.

Well, to be perfectly honest, I'm not a huge fan of religion either. I mean, I try to keep an open mind, but it can be hard when you think about all the problems that have been caused due to religion. You would think the human race would learn something after all this time, but nothing ever changes.

WARNING: Profanity

[tazzles.livejournal.com]

I mean, I try to keep an open mind, but it can be hard when you think about all the problems that have been caused due to religion. You would think the human race would learn something after all this time, but nothing ever changes.

I'm the same. But it's so hard when you see what problems religion causes and the way it's used to oppress people, particularly women. The whole thing seems somewhat hypocritical to me at times.
I think that unless God (if he exists - and he'd be a bloke cos a woman wouldn't have let things f@#$ up like this) smacks some pertinent people across the face, things will never change.


*Sorry about my profanity.

Re: WARNING: Profanity

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Yes, another problem I have with religion is the way it can be used as a tool to oppress people, especially women. It does make you wonder what God must be like if God does exist. As the Christian God essentially replaced the Mother Goddess, I'm assuming God (if He exists) is a bloke.

Don't worry about the profanity. I've done my fair share of swearing on this LJ, so I don't have any problem with profanity cropping up in comments. I'd be a bit of a hypocrite if I did. *g*

More profanity - sorry

[tazzles.livejournal.com]

It's like that joke:

Q. What do you get if you cross a Hell's Angel with a Jehovah's Witness?

A. Some one who knocks on your door on a Sunday morning and tells you to f@#$ off

Always liked that one :)

Sorry again!

Re: More profanity - sorry

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

LOL! I like it too! I'll have to remember to tell it to my dad. He loves jokes like that.

Once again, no worries about the profanity. :-)

Re: More profanity - sorry

[tazzles.livejournal.com]

I'm more apologising about the fact that I didn't use the @#$ the first time, that I spelt the word out. I felt bad, so I changed it.

I love that joke! Cracks me up every time.