In God We Trust. All Others Pay Cash
Over the last couple of days there’s been one of these religious debate threads that pop up every now and again on the LAB. Well, not exactly a debate but some posts where someone feels compelled to share their religion with you. It happens when an over zealous “believer” feels the need to impart his or her vision of morality and belief system on the rest of us poor unwashed souls. It started when what I presume to be a secular person posted that he had applied for job at a church and they asked him about his religious beliefs. Well of course they did. To make a long story short, he didn’t come clean with them and doesn’t think he’ll get the gig. Most of you know the story, though there are some that read ABD that don’t do sound or hang at the LAB.
A discussion then ensued and like these things do sometimes, a couple of folks that think they know better than everyone else showed up to try to “save some sinners”. I like to think I’m tolerant of other’s belief and value systems and try not comment on them. As long as you don’t bother anyone else, knock yourself out. Except of course when one of those persons attempts to ram their particular flavor of religion down my throat. Early in my career I had a day job as an assistant district manager for adult newspaper carriers. The persons delivering the papers were adults, not adult newpapers. Right after my gig, if I had one that night, I’d head to the regional depot to work my 2:00 AM to 10:00 AM shift. There were two districts in my building and coincidently the other ADM was named Mark. In total there were about 30 carriers. On my side there was a carrier named Jack. Jack, his brother Dan and his sister and brother in-law has about six routes between them and were quite industrious. They were also very devout members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mark was a full on born again Christian. And he was obnoxious about it. Quoting scripture, trying to save souls and making very inappropriate comments in the work area. Jack and the rest of his family pretty much kept to themselves. Until Mark started what I thought was relentlessly badgering them and engaging them in religous debates.
Over the course of a month or so Mark and Dan started debating more and more intensely. Dan was actually pretty good at it. At no time did he try to evangelise his religious preference, even though his son was currently on a mission doing just that. At first it was playful, insightful even. Entertaining at times. They’d show up at 4:00 AM or so and pick up their papers, bag ‘em, load them into the cars and head out. For about 15 minutes every morning, Mark would be sure to instigate some debate about values, the afterlife, anything he could find. Pretty much everytime Dan had a response and Jack and their sister soon joined in. Mark couldn’t fathom his evangelising was having no effect on the persons he was debating. It grew to the point where Mark starting proclaiming boldly that they were all going to hell and not to blame him because he was trying to save them. Mark was angry. As his taunts grew more direct, a few in the warehouse had enough and complained about his behavior. Mark was given a warning. A few months later, I left suddenly when I had returned home and picked up a message for the first real tour offer I had. I have no idea what happened to Mark.
Other than me wanting to tell a story, the point is that a person’s belief system is a personal thing, not one that should be judged by others. I’m no stranger to working in a worship related field. In fact, the last PA company that I help build was well know for regional church gigs and I’ve done what I consider my fill. For the most part, the folks I worked with from the youth centers or churches are fine folks, many of them I’d have no problem hanging with. Like anything else though, there are some bad apples. Some of these folks seem to have so little confidence in a belief system that they feel the need to compel you to join them, stating some sort of biblical mandate. In a word, I think that’s rude. It’s nobody’s business what another person’s belief structure is, and to publically try to evangelize to someone you don’t know is not only rude, but bordering on sociopathic. I’m by no means a biblical scholar but I’m pretty sure there’s a bit in there about tolerance and respect of others. Then there’s that “do unto others” thing. I like to call that manners.
I don’t know what it is, but most of the obnoxious evangelical types are modern Christians, prodominately from North America. It’s funny to me, because this particular brand of religion was late to the party in terms of world religions. Perhaps the most ironic thing is the person considered Jesus himself was not a “Christian”. That came well after he was executed. I think if a person wishes to practice whatever religion or belief system they like, more power to them. I’m certainly in no position to judge. However, some of these obnoxious evangelists don’t seem to have the same respect and manners on this matter as they may with others. Many of these folks are arrogant, to the point where no one outside their social sphere wants to deal with them. Who are they to judge what is best for another person? People are different and that is reflected in the cultures and belief systems people have around the world. It’s none of their business what anyone else’s belief structure is. It’s one thing to assist those seeking information or so called salvation. It’s quite another to attempt to justify one belief system as being better than another. In my opinion, people that do that don’t need a savior. They need a therapist.
Fuck it, who wants pie?
Dave