A Religious Experience
Living in SwedenToday I had a religious experience. Well kind of.
I am not a religious person, although I was brought up going to Sunday school, going to church as being part of the duty of being a Scout and our family having a particular pew in church. I guess my mind on this was made up through my experiences in younger life, too many inconsistencies in religion and the fact I was being asked to believe in things that cannot be proved. So I guess what I am saying is that I am an antsiest.
My position is not like some of the people out there, who find themselves being agnostics, or lapsed this or that, through being basically lazy. I have thought about this a lot, for a long time, and I am a non-believer.
OK, this morning I found myself home alone, and the door bell rang. I was expecting one of our friends who sometimes comes around, but as soon as I opened the door I realised who it was..... Jehovah Witnesses. Swedish Jehovah Witnesses. A middle aged lady with her VERY bored, hyperactive son (about 10 years old I would guess). Straight away I played my trump card, no point wasting each others time
[Me in Swedish]: “I am sorry I
don't understand, I cannot read so good, I am English.”
[JW in Swedish]:
“Oh, erm really?”
[Me in Swedish]:
“yes.”
[JW in Swedish]:
“But you are not an Englishman?”
I reckon she
thought I was Swedish and I was pretending.....
[Me in Swedish]:
“Yes I am. I am an Englishman”
Her son said “cool!”, I didn't know what to say, I am guessing the fact that they had found a “engelsman” had made is day. This tells me a lot about how exciting he was finding “spreading the word”.
At this point I thought, “Yes!”, I wouldn't have to discuss my lack of believe, and she would not have to see me as a challenge.
[JW in
Swedish]: “Have you learnt any Swedish?”
[Me in Swedish]:
“Erm, yes I have been to school, swedish for immigrants.”
[JW in Swedish]:
“Oh OK, I think I have got something here you can read....”
She produced a booklet in 42 languages!!! On one page was English, and I scanned it, to me it read:
“blah blah blah... Jesus... blah blah blah...God... blah blah blah... pray...blah blah blah...”
Dang it. So had to explain in Swedish my position. Which according to Jehovah Witnesses means: “Any who are not deemed faithful by God will be destroyed with no hope of resurrection.” So our conversation came to an abrupt end. Hey, I thought God was supposed to be a nice guy?
I have no objection to people believing in what the believe, but I will never knock door to door preaching my beliefs. I have always wondered whether Jehovah Witnesses would be more successful without their house to house preaching? I have no idea. But I do remember my Dad used to invite them in for a good old chat for hours about his church. Never once was he interested in converting, but I guess he saw it as giving as good as he got.
That is all.
LostInTheWoods
Now, I could begin a conversation with you about Jesus Christ but I think you would likely invite me off your Instant Spot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have hidden from Jehovah Witnesses once here in Sweden, but it was more to do with the language barrier and me being able to understand what is being said, and the ensuing awkwardness and embarrassment
.
Back in the UK I had some long discussions on the door step, always good natured, but religions of all flavours just don't add up for me.
I know a lot of people get many things from religion, but I never did.
You could start a discussion about Jesus Christ if you wanted to. It wouldn't bother me, I am not a militant atheist, live and let live I say (which some religions don't).
Saying all this though, since I posted this, I have had another visit from the "JW", an elderly lady. I had to give her a swift "No thanks, I am not interested" as I was at a crucial stage in preparing a meal. I know she was trying to save my soul, but some people are beyond saving.
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