Perhaps I was harsh, but it seems that Christians, Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses particularly have this edge ( my sister-in-law and my roommate in the Navy were born agains, my cousin a Mormon). My sample is small, but consistent.
The pitch basically goes like this:
a) I believe therefore it is true
b) People are bad and will stay bad until they change
c) Bad things will happen to you if you don't stop believing what you believe and start believing what I believe.
d) It is my right and duty to get in your face
This is not just illogical, it is annoying. I don't have Hindus and Buddhists coming to my door and arguing about what "No Soliciting" means while simultaneously challenging my core beliefs. I'll NEVER come to your house uninvited telling you about the joys of paganism (there are many) while remaining totally ignorant of the meaning of the "No Soliciting" sign on your front door. Religious belief is personal. If I offer it as my opinion, ask me to explain my views. If I tell you it is the only way, tell me to 'get stuffed'. I deserve it.
Here is a typical doorway scene:
Me : "Yes. There is no soliciting. (I point to the sign)"
Them: "I'm not selling anything."
Me: "But the sign on the door says 'No Soliciting"
Them: "I'm not selling anything."
Me: "But that is not what 'soliciting' means. It means ANY pitch or persuasive speech.
Them: (blank look) "But I'm here to tell you good news ..."
And so on ... So if you feel I whacked you unjustly, first, let me say, your positions are fine. But they are yours and NOT universally true or right for everyone. As long as you remember that I'm sure I can discuss (logically) anything with you. But remember, you are talking to someone who calculates probabilities and makes logical decisions for a living. Unless you have sharable data (like a compelling personal anecdote with pictures of you and Jesus having lunch at Starbucks, with independent witnesses) don't expect your pronunciations to compel me to drop my entire experience and take up yours. Even with pictures and witnesses, if what you say is totally outside my experience, then, well... you're still on thin ice. And, also, don't be repetitive. Once you've made your point move on. Since you only have one book and I have thousands, I don't expect our discourse to last too long. |
