R-E-S-P-E-C-T... PLEASE?!

For those of you who've been following on Twitter, you would've seen my utter dismay in being preached to about Christianity twice in a span of 24 hrs. In my more serious blog "On The Fence", I elaborated a little about my own religious beliefs [or lack thereof] because I know that I'm getting more than a little sck and tired of people pestering me about it.

No, this isn't an attack on Christians, so pull your head out of your ass.

And no, this isnt an attack of the two individuals either- can't fault them, really.

But here's what happened. Encounter #1 was on a bus, as I prepared to go home. While I was almost downtown, a young man asked me if he could share something with me. From te rustling behind me I deduced that he was gonna preach to me, but I was already highly uncomfortable with the creepy stares of the older gentleman I was unfortunate enough to sit next to, so I welcomed the chance to involve myself with another person who actually looked my age.

Anyway, he proceeded to read to me some passage from a book in the Old Testament about how if you don't live for God, you're living life without a real purpose and just 'existing'. I'm fuzzy on the details, for obvious reasons. But he proceeds to ask for my contact information so that he can invite me to his church. At this time the bus had reached our destination, and I wasn't about to give out my name or number for the bus to hear, so I told him we'll discuss that once we're outside.

After getting his name, number and church, I proceeded to tell him the truth about what I did believe in. I know somewhere in his face there was a pang of disbelief and maybe even eagerness [all the more reason to press me into meeting his church's 'Sisters' to relate to me, right?], but I told him that I would keep his invitation in mind when the end of this COBUS term comes near. He seemed heartened by that, so with a quick convo about what we're studying and a handshake goodbye, we left each other's company.

Final verdict? At least he was polite with what he was doing. And he actually didn't try to convert me on the spot when I told him I wasn't a Christian, or quote Scripture to me about how what I'm going through is a phase or something to that effect.

And yes, that is what Encounter #2 felt like. For her sake, I won't say where this incident took place cuz outside of this incident I really do like this girl. We share a lot of interests. And for someone who's never heard about agnosticism, I can expect a lot of questions. But the minute you start quoting scripture and going down that blind sheep path, I'm gonna start getting irritated.

It kinda defeats the purpose of me not believing in your god if you're consistently telling me that what i'm going through is a 'phase' or whatever that your god wanted me to go on to realize that where I am is wrong. Or that everyone in college goes through these cults/phases, and she doesn't know how I found mine, but she has faith I'll see the light someday. Delirious? For me, that's a yes.

NEWSFLASH: If it takes over five years, I'm really not interested. Cuz that's what it's pushing right now.

Final verdict? She got irritating rather quickly, and I'm usually very tolerant towards things like this. I don't go about [or I try not to, anyway] trying to change or convert people to what I believe in, and I certainly don't try to pursuade others with my own form of brain-washed propaganda. It's YOUR god, not mine, so don't try and bring me in that happy little family. Please. I have enough respect for your choices not to call you on it, so respect mine enough to not lecture me.