They're persistent, I'll give them that

[slowfox]

Following on from last week's brush with evangelising Americans... they were back, yesterday. Last week's guy had the genuine Million Dollar Smile™, this guy's smile was just a couple of cents shy of that high water mark, but he still had his 'Jesus Christ our Saviour' name badge:

Evangelising American: Hey, how are you today?

slowfox: I'm an atheist. Thanks. Bye.

Evangelising American: Why ever would you be one of them?

slowfox: Why would I not? Thanks. Bye.

Evangelising American: But have you tried prayer?

slowfox: ...

What we have here is a failure to communicate: I don't believe in God. Ergo, it's extremely unlikely that I would feel moved to offer prayers to a concept that I don't subscribe to.

I get a similar thing for being teetotal:

slowfox: I don't drink alcohol.

Other Party: What? Ever

slowfox: Nope, never have done. Hope never to do so.

Other Party: *slowly, in deductive fashion* So you've never been drunk...? Ever?

Comments

[aome]

I'm essentially tee-total; I think the most alcohol I've ever had in one go was about a half-glass of wine, or a mimosa (OJ and champagne), and that was quite some time ago. Because of medication and the diet, I've essentially dropped it entirely, aside from a rare sip of something Will's having, more out of curiosity than anything - but this is hardly a hardship because I never did develop a taste for alcohol. Where most people find it relaxing, I find getting a buzz of any sort to be disruptive and unsettling, and makes me more tense rather than the opposite; ergo, I have never been drunk and fail to understand the appeal. The most was "a bit tipsy" after that half-glass of wine, and I think that was only once.Occasionally I have enjoyed a small bit of Frangelico (hazelnut creme liquor) in my hot chocolate, but that's more about the hazelnut taste than the alcohol. And, again, not very much alcohol at that. I have no objection to people who enjoy the stuff, as long as they're not getting wasted (which I do object to), and I think many folks assume that if you don't drink, you must have some moral objection to it. But - nope, it's not for me.

The missionaries are, of course, trained to be persistent, because, really, anyone who has already made the realization that they want to seek God (or a new denomination), has already taken those steps on their own. Rather like telemarketers - same concept. But, yes, you'd think they wouldn't come TWICE, and would accept a curt door being shut in their face. :P

Methinks you either need a peephole installed in your door, or a sign that says "No solicitors". (Er - I guess "solicitors" are what "lawyers" are for us? But you get the idea - whatever the term is you'd use for people traipsing around the neighborhood trying to sell you things.) My father used to have a sign that said, "Day sleeper - do not disturb" which was a lie, but it dissuaded these sorts of people from knocking - and probably dissuaded some would-be burglars as well.

In any event - ergh.

[slowfox]

We don't - yet - have doorstepping solicitors in this Green and Pleasant Land, and for that, at least, I'm grateful.

I think many folks assume that if you don't drink, you must have some moral objection to it

Yes, I get that a lot - I even had a guy come up to me at a party once to say that he found it offensive that I didn't drink, and that clearly I was judging him or something. *sighs*