Urban Thought | 13 Observations Religion is something I try to stay far away from. I have no fear of church, mosque, temple or any of those places where people go to worship. My hesitation in going to a religious establishment has more to do with the people that you will find in these places.
This world is full of people who feel that they are so close to God and have been changed by God that they must spread the word and preach to the masses. I’m all for giving the message to those who need it but at some point enough is enough. I think we all like to walk in peace and not be disturbed by those who care to share when others don’t care to listen.
While I was walking to the train station the other day, I saw a man preaching to anyone in earshot of his sermon. He started off blessing folk because they made it to 2008. “You are blessed as I am blessed to see 2008,” he said. “Brother you should be thankful.” In my head I thought, I am thankful and realize every morning that I am thankful. But this man, who looked like a reformed drunken derelict, took me out of my own thought process so I could engulf in his own. I could only nod at his words and realize he only meant well.
The blessings don’t stop there though. My morning routine allows me the opportunity to sit in the same seat on the train as I’ve done for the past 10 years, today was no different. As I sat on the train and prepared myself for my long commute I thought of the dude I passed and thought about what type of life he must have experienced. Who am I to judge his finding God and all the good that may have come out of the discovery?
I sit in the two-seater on the train. I’m sure most of you know what that is. That is the chair that only sits two people. LOL… I prefer it. This way no one is sitting on either side of you and instead you only have to deal with the one person to your left and the people who are walking between cars (although this type of activity is illegal… LOL). The only bad part about sitting in this seat is that you get those people who aren’t aware of their size. They see a space and think they can fit in it and instead they end up sitting in the space and on your hip with not so much as an excuse me or apology.
This time around I ended up with a woman who nudges me every so slightly. I didn’t look at this ‘full figured’ woman sitting next time. I just hoped she would keep it
cool and keep quiet. Instead, she decides to pull out the book. You know THE BOOK. The one that this post is rooted in… THE BIBLE. She pulls it out and starts to murmur verses. I couldn’t help but think, “Can you read to yourself rather than out loud? Please?” But who am I? I’m sure people don’t care to hear my voice at times too. No worries… I’ll engross myself in my own book.
As the train passes through the station, people are getting on in abundant amounts, it’s rush hour after all. Now we have people around us, over us, under us. As the train moves through the tunnel I hear, “God Bless You.” Who sneezed? I thought. I look around and I see the woman next to me looking up at the young hippy-east village-type dude standing above her. He looked at her puzzled and said nothing. She cracks a smile at him and cheeses it up as if there was a camera in the room and she is taking her class photo. “God Bless You,” she repeats. The man looks at me, I look back at him, we look at the woman and she says it again, “God Bless You.” Who sneezed?
A few seconds later he decides to ignore her and look straight head. She moves her attention back to her bible and starts murmuring to herself and I went back into thought.
Let me ask you something, the reader. Do you think it is rude for people to push their religion on you? What if the man was an atheist? What if I was a Buddhist? Is it the responsibility of people to spread religion or should people keep that to themselves?
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Tags: Religion
I think people should mind their own damn business. If I want to hear about that kind of stuff i can go to a church/temple/whatever.
It’s a little nerve-wracking, but I don’t think she meant any harm. Smile, say thank you and call it a day. There are worse thing to say to somebody. . .
I feel that everyone has the right to say and believe whatever they please so long as they don’t intrude on someone elses beliefs and space. No one after all has all the right answers for everyone else and everyone needs to find their own truths.
As far as I’m concerned actions speak louder than words anyone can open their mouth and say what they please. I will listen much closer to things I see with my eyes and heart than what I hear with my ears.
So for me my answer would have to be keep the words to yourself unless I ask, but you may preach to me with your good deeds all you want and I may just take it upon myself to seek the answers to why your so kind.
Well my take would be I can use all the blessings I can get. If buddah, Allah and Jesus all want to bestow blessings I’ma take them.
Like you said who sneezed. If you had in fact sneezed and she responded with the same statement, it probably wouldn’t be an issue.
As a devout Christian, I’m of the school of thought to save myself. If no one else wants to go to paradise with me…that’s on them. Its one thing to fellowship its another thing to be a street evangelist…I think in that instance people are missing the point.
Kevin: I hear you. It can become much at times.
TOP: True. But if you would have seen the guy’s face as she was saying it to him. Honestly, you don’t know who you are talking to. What may seem innocent to some can be something offensive to others. Maybe he didn’t believe in God.
Jude: Reading your comment makes me think of those whom preach helping others but turn their nose up when someone on the street is begging for money. They end up turning their face up. I’ve seen it happen before.
Skee: As they say, “Don’t Block the Blessings.” I take the blessings as they come. I’m not going to knock them down if someone is saying it to me. But I’m not everyone and everyone doesn’t think like me.
My concerns are with those whom preach at you and blast you for being human. I see that all too much on the train. They often disturb the silence you’re appreciating while they obnoxiously run off at the mouth.
I feel you though. I don’t identify with religion but I appreciate spirituality.
I believe in GOD, (and that everything happens for a reason) but I do NOT believe in ANY religion.
The only bad part about sitting in this seat is that you get those people who aren’t aware of their size. They see a space and think they can fit in it and instead they end up sitting in the space and on your hip with not so much as an excuse me or apology.
lmaooo
i so understand this
anyway
in response to the question u posed:
Since you used the word push, then i’d have to say it is wrong
There are religions that encourage proselytizing
doesnt necessarily have to be an intrusive thing
could be as simple as inviting a friend to service
“Who sneezed?” funneee! I consider myself spiritual or at least moving towards being more spiritual but I haven’t quite gotten over the heebie jeebies when I encounter what I think of as religious fervor. I don’t mind the quiet “If you ask, I’ll tell you.” hanging back like I see the Babes of Watchtower (I have a post about them brewing) who wait at the train station holding their religious newsletters (”The Watchtower”). I don’t like it when they come at me in packs. Ok, so when identically dressed and pressed young men approach me asking if I’m familiar with The Book of Mormon. Eeeek! I have been known to cross to the other side of the street. Which I don’t even do when I see um, baggy-panted yutes shlumping their way down the street with a bit of an attitude.
The thing is, the 2-pack will approach but the yute won’t…hence the crossing.
Regarding the blessing woman - I dunno. She sounded harmless. I guess I’d go more by her “vibe” - some people are blessing and Spreading the Word and they seem sincere and that’s good. If they seem to be judging and angry - not good. That’s what seems to come across -this anger and judgment.
I believe one of your favorite quotes is “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Well…live what you believe and if you believe in God and being kind to your neighbor and charity…well, you will change the world.
Speaking from my own perspective as a Christian, I think we would do better to set the example than to try to preach people into heaven. Too many well-intentioned Christians want or need validation that they’ve influenced someone else’s salvation. I say offer by your example and allow others to choose. I believe there is only one God and that He can speak to people in many ways, not just in the way that He calls to me.
I have to honestly say that this experience would really annoy me. And let’s be honest here - why did she choose the “hippie” to say “bless you” to? Because she thought he was a big fat sinner of course. Talk about judging a book by it’s cover. I’m sure she meant well but I’m sick to death of people trying to “save” me. I believe in God but most of the time, religious people scare me.
ps. Love your site!
If you’re interested in Christianity, maybe you should go to a bible based church that does less preaching and more teaching of the actual words of the bible. Church is what you make it and not what the people are doing or saying. As long as you can develop your spiritual journey, you shouldn’t worry too much about others. There are haters every where including church.
Unfortunately, this is one of the reasons we do not attend church anymore. My view is that people are more likely to follow and trust you if you don’t enforce your views upon them. Great post. I am feeling you~
Yes I think it’s obnoxious to push your religion on someone else. In fact I am always hesitant to write about my Judaism on my blog because I don’t want it to be interpreted as me trying to proselytise or something. I just wish to share my experience but in no way want people to think that I am claiming my religion is superior to theirs or something like that. Not the case at all. So I try to go the entertaining/slightly educational route.