My own religious beliefs being somewhat, unconventional, I'm usually a pretty tolerant person when it comes to other creeds. I'm glad people have them and that they give them fulfillment in their lives they would otherwise lack. I'm a very live and let live type of person, you know, if it makes you happy, I'm happy for you, even if I don't understand it. I even go so far as to have one of those funky bumper stickers where the word coexist is spelled out with different religious symbols, and I truly believe that we can, as long as we show mutual respect.
Enter the missionaries. Having lived in Utah for most of my life, I'm pretty much used to them. "No thank you, I'm not interested in hearing about your savior." "Thank you for your concern about my immortal soul, but I'm fine, really." "No I don't need anything, and I don't think I need you to come back either." I'm usually much nicer than that last one. My problem with missionaries is fundamental. You can't show mutual respect when one of you is trying to convert the other. That's nothing new though, it's always been that way.
What's new is a couple of them cornered my 15 year old kid while he was talking to a friend, gave him a book of Mormon and started talking about their god. I'm not sure if it's illegal to try and convert a minor in Utah without parental permission, but I'm sure it ought to be. I tried to track the pair down but as of yet I have been unsuccessful, they weaseled my address out of my kid though so I'm hoping I'll run into them soon, and I can tell them- Well, I'm not sure yet what I'm going to tell them, but I am not pleased and it probably won't be very friendly. I'll let you know how it goes.
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Where did it happen? Can he describe these lions of Zion?
ReplyDeleteEven though I'm of the religion in question, I think I'd have checked with you folks first, and not preached without you there.
I wonder if there isn't some sort of complaint you could file with your police alledging some sort of improper contact with a minor.
Although I'm in favor of spreading the Good Word you can't do the right thing the wrong way...
Lensman
It happened a couple of blocks from our house and he can describe them sort of.
ReplyDeleteI trust completely that you would check with us first, and appreciate it. Also please understand that my anger is with the "Lions" not with the religion. He actually has expressed some curiosity and you were the first person I thought of as far as getting him an insider opinion. I don't have any problem with him having questions and wanting to learn more. The problem lies with the missionaries and their approach.
Believe it or not though when I was driving around earlier looking for them, to return their book. I actually did run into one of our city's finest and I flagged him down. He suggested a couple of courses of action to solve the problem without him getting involved. I got the impression he was rather uncomfortable with the idea of chasing them down even though he agreed that I was in the right.
Hi JJ! UJ Again,
ReplyDeleteThey can be rather persistent. I remember a couple of them came by the house in New Mexico. They introduced themselves as "Elder" whoever, and my answer was "elder than what?", as they looked like teeny boppers. One commented on my rather ornate pentacle necklace I was wearing. He asked how long I had been Jewish.
Biting my lip really hard to keep from laughing, I explained the very basics of Wicca. We never got around to discussing LDS. He probably started his own coven.
Another time I got shanghaied in the Wal-Mart parking lot. They helped me load my groceries into my car (against my wishes), and refused to believe I knew who they were. Then they wanted to know how I knew. I didn't mention the bicycles or the cheap suits, but did tell them I knew they weren't Jehova's Witnesses because they didn't have a cute wife or sister with them. I told them to come back when they had a babe for me. Darn it, I never saw them again.