Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Jesus is coming - look busy!



Do you believe in God?

Having done seven years at a catholic school, I do. I have no choice in the matter. Other catholics will agree when with me when I say you dare not NOT believe. However, at times, it's comforting. Moreover, it's a private matter.

Which those who drive cars plastered in stickers like 'I am the light, I am the way', 'Jesus saves', and - most irritatingly - 'Smile!', would do well to remember. This car, complete with fish symbol, clearly belonged to a born again Christian. Aren't they always the worst for forcing the issue?

I used to have a boss who was one of these. He actually admitted that he saw his church (in Knightsbridge) as a business networking opportunity, but it didn't stop him trying to recruit everyone to the cause. One one long car journey, we got around to his religion, and in a roundabout way he tried to recruit me, to which I replied: 'What I admire about you PC, is you stick by your beliefs and never force them down anyone else's throat, because people hate that.' The subject never arose again. He was always trying to get over how much fun it was being a Christian, and as we all know there's nothing worse than a wacky Christian.

Each year, the Methodist Association of Youth Clubs would meet in the park opposite my flat. Their colours were green and yellow, which meant so was the hair, the face paint, the clothes, the jester hats, etc. All designed to say: 'If you become a Christian, you can have this much fun. But if you don't join us, you're damned to misery for all eternity'. I'll take the misery, thanks.

What's my point? Well, do what you like religion-wise (you have my permission), but keep it to yourself. And that goes for all religions.

7 comments:

Clair said...

Someone was telling me last night about going to a Christian festival last year and the hell of Christian speed dating. She said every man said he was there with his church youth group and seemed more than vaguely creepy.

Mondo said...

These are great for needling those robust Born Again types
http://www.evolvefish.com/fish/emblems.html

TimT said...

What were you doing on a long car journey with PC? (Assuming you mean the PC I think you do...)

Totally agree with you, by the way.

Jon Peake said...

Remember those trips out west, TT? They were interminable, especially if it was just the two of you.

Kolley Kibber said...

I'm an atheist through and through. Except for those times when I've watched a really scary film, or when I really REALLY want something. Then you'll find me rattling my rosary with the best of 'em. There's nothing wrong with hedging your bets, is there?

Matthew Rudd said...

"Hello, I know I don't believe in you, but if you do exist, and there really are such things as ghosts and zombies, could you see your way to directing them next door, and I'll see you on Sunday?"

Nic said...

I saw a car the other day and the fish symbol was the wrong way round - could it have been a devil worshipper?

Actually, why should an atheist like me know that there is a right and a wrong way? I'm disturbingly au fait with a whole host of religous symbolism...

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