The Approach

There have been a few times throughout my life - particularly in my college years - when I was approached by someone who seemed really friendly, and I thought 'Oh, that's nice - someone's coming over to talk to me.' But the person would make some chit-chat, and then eventually get around to the inevitable question: "So, what do you think about Jesus Christ?" And I'd think, aw hell.

I'd usually just nod along and agree to almost anything just to get them to go away. 'You want me to join you at your youth ministry meeting? Sure thing. Let me write that down.' Of course, I'd never actually go, and I'd never give them a real phone number. But I just wanted them to leave. I also didn't want to offend them - I hated any kind of confrontation. The worst was when I was getting a ride back from a golf outing with a married couple. It was an hour-long ride, and they got to that 'Have you ever thought much about Jesus Christ' within the first ten minutes, so the rest of the ride I was hostage in the back seat to their crap about why I should consider accepting Jesus into my life.

I've got nothing at all against Jesus; I believe in many of the things he taught, especially the whole 'treat others as you'd like to be treated' thing. But he wasn't the first to come up with that, nor the last. And I personally can't stand that glassy-eyed over-enthusiasm of those who've been  born-again. Perhaps they could go on some sort of vacation for a while, away from civilization, until they settle down a bit.

Now that I'm at my present age, I haven't been approached this way for a long time. I think high school and college-age kids are the most ripe for converting, and I'm sure that's why they're most targeted. I just want to teach my kids to stick up for their own beliefs, whatever they might be. If someone tries to tote their religious views, that's perfectly fine - but don't feel afraid to tote your own views right back at them. Since they're trying to make you question your own beliefs, there's nothing wrong with making them question their beliefs as well.

I was just so afraid of rocking the boat when I was younger - still am much of the time. But I need to remind myself that sometimes the boats need to be rocked in order to keep the water from becoming too stagnant.

Or something like that.