My main strategy on the metro (and I suspect others’ strategy as well) is just to pretend that I am not on the metro. Everyone engages in their own form of escapism: ipod, books, magazine, talking to one’s self, sleeping, staring off into the distance, just to name a few of the more normal ones. Let's face it, we would all rather be somewhere where H1N1 is not crawling up and down the poles, and where you don’t have to sit or stand in someone’s personal space.
Things get particularly testy during rush hour, when it is generally understood that you do not talk. If you must, speak at a low volume so as not to involve the rest of the train car in your conversation.
Some people, apparently, see this as the perfect time to witness to others about their faith. Last week, as I got onto the rush hour train, a guy tried to hand me something. After three years in DC I’ve learned that you do not take anything that someone hands you, as it acts as an “in” for them to talk to you, or they will ask you to pay for it or something. Or, try to witness to you. I of course refused, and so did all the other smart people, so they took matters into their own hands.
In this packed metro train during rush hour, face to face, butt to butt, these two dudes proceeded to speak to each other at a very loud volume:
Todd: HEY JASON, YOU LOOK REALLY PEACEFUL, WHAT’S GOT INTO YOU?
Jason: I’M GLAD YOU ASKED, TODD, BECAUSE I’VE JUST RECENTLY INVITED JESUS INTO MY LIFE.
Todd: JESUS YOU SAY? WHY WHO IS THAT?
And seriously it continued on like this until I exited the train at my stop. Besides being annoying, do these two think this is an effective means of sharing their faith? A mí, this is insulting. This is not ‘planting a seed’, it’s just being annoying. And not subtle.
What, exactly, is the goal? I am all for spiritual exploration, but this kind of approach would never make me change my brand of laundry detergent, influence my voting preferences, or make me consider renouncing my current god.
But I thank them for the free entertainment on the ride home. It’s kin to the big fight that happened last night in my metro car: worth a look, but glad to exit.
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it's like that, ahem, john mayer song. "Is there anyone who
ReplyDeleteEver remembers changing their mind from
The paint on a sign?
Is there anyone who really recalls
Ever breaking rank at all
For something someone yelled real loud one time."
As someone who works for a church, loves God passionately and is not ashamed of my faith in the least --- I couldn't agree with you more. I think people like that give us a bad name and more often that not, they are searching to "save" people for their ultimate satisfaction and not for God's glory.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I am plopping off my pedestal :)
I just think in terms of effectiveness, it is the least authentic way to have a real conversation about faith. Seems like a waste of time! Also: John Mayer is SO wise. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sort of tomfoolery makes me enormously grateful for you, and for real conversations about faith over falafel. :)
ReplyDelete