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

[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*