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#561
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And that is precisely why you should respect these folks you had a hard
time with - they were at least acting consistently with their religion. Instead of bad-mouthing them you should recognize at least that they were not being hypocrites like you feel that all the rest of organized religion. Augh! Talk about "damned if you do, damned if you don't"... I don't think a person has to be rude to be true to ones faith. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#562
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Yesterday evening was the weekly church supper, and my partner and I
decided to go. After a beautiful drive we arrived and went inside. While waiting in line we met two older gentlemen. The usual introductions were made, and standard church talk ensued. It turned out that both guys were retired and in their mid-70s. One had been a Sears store manager for many years, and other was a successful real estate developer. The conversation flowed smoothly, and the line went moved quickly. After finishing the buffet line as we were looking for a table, we ran into them again. The Sears manager asked me if we cared to join them for lunch. Since we were sans kids, and they seemed like nice company, we decided that joining them was a good idea, and proceeded to a table. Once we were all seated with our food, we all prayed, then began our meal. The real estate guy announced that he and his friends were pilots and asked if we could all recite High Flight together. I frankly found this a bit odd, in a church buffet, but to be polite we just agreed. My partner and I exchanged the old "uh-oh" glance, but we still hoped that things would progress normally. It was not to be. As lunch proceeded, began asking questions and soon asked what type of plane we flew. My partner struggled bravely to answer that question in a way that wouldn't offend these obviously zealous pilots, but there was simply no way to hide the fact that we didn't fly, nor were we urging out children to. I then proceeded to explain that we had both been raised by hyper-Aviation parents, and had been bludgeoned to death with our heavy-handed upbringings. We were going to let our children decide about aviation when they reached the age of reason. This was a mistake. I might as well have tossed blood into shark-infested water. The next question, after a pause, was from the Sears guy, asking whether we had Aviation magazines in our hotel suites. I chuckled, and allowed that we did. I then went on to say how we'd even seen some competition amongst the various alphabet groups in town, with the EAA trying to get us to put their "Sport Aviation" magazines in all the suites along with AOPA Pilot. Still chuckling, I remarked that we had to draw the line somewhere, or we'd have to put US Aviator magazine in the suites, too. This was another mistake. The Sears guy turned out to be an EAA member, and he didn't warm to the notion that I was equating his beloved Sport Aviation magazine with US Aviator. Soon, both men were quoting the FAR-AIM to us, chapter and verse, "proving" how "easy" it was to be "saved" by the aviation lifestyle", as opposed to the unhealthful other lifestyles. By now we were both growing incredibly uncomfortable, and I had that horrible "this must be a nightmare" feeling rising in the pit of my stomach. Not knowing whether to bolt or tell them to go to hell, I just sat there silently, dumbly smiling at them in disbelief. Then the Sears guy asked me if I knew how "truly easy" it was to become an aviator? I replied, quite honestly, "no". (ANOTHER mistake!) He then told me that I didn't have to close my eyes, nor did I even have to be in the air -- I only had to recite High Flight along with him, giving myself over to aviation. He then asked, directly, "Would I be willing to say this little verse aloud with him?" The heat in my face was really rising now, and I felt like everyone in that church was staring DIRECTLY at the back of my head. What could I say to someone so earnest, yet so incredibly rude? I smiled, placed my hand firmly on his shoulder, and told him that I most certainly was NOT going to recite that verse with him in church. I then went back to eating, trying to think of some way -- ANY way -- to escape this insane situation. My partner finally came up with the answer -- she bolted, and went to the bathroom! Abandoned, I was a helpless target for their zeal, and felt myself being carried along by their verbal diarrhea. There was simply no escape, and I politely listened while they explained to me everything from everlasting aviation, to the advantages of sending hundreds of dollars of my income to the alphabet groups... At last my partner returned, and announced that we were late to get back to pick up the kids from school. Never had I been so grateful for bad news in my life, and I quickly jumped up, shook both their hands, thanked them for an "interesting" lunch, and headed toward the door, on the double. Until yesterday I had run into fanatics in every other walk of life. I GUESS I HAD ASSUMED THAT ANYONE NICE ENOUGH TO ATTEND CHURCH COULDN'T BE SO RUDE AS TO GO AROUND TRYING TO "CONVERT" PERFECT STRANGERS. |
#563
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"Richard Hertz" wrote:
And that is precisely why you should respect these folks you had a hard time with - they were at least acting consistently with their religion. What is that, an excuse? We should respect rude, aggressive proselytizers because they are able to convince themselves God wants them to behave that way? Islamic terrorists use that exact rationalization. -- Dan C172RG at BFM |
#564
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"John Ousterhout" wrote:
[attempted turnabout lesson snipped] What's your point, John? That anyone can be rude and overbearing? Does that excuse it? -- Dan C172RG at BFM |
#565
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Until yesterday I had run into fanatics in every other walk of life.
I GUESS I HAD ASSUMED THAT ANYONE NICE ENOUGH TO ATTEND CHURCH COULDN'T BE SO RUDE AS TO GO AROUND TRYING TO "CONVERT" PERFECT STRANGERS. This is GREAT, John! I'm still crying! I think I've found my new religion... -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#566
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Richard Hertz wrote: And that is precisely why you should respect these folks you had a hard time with - they were at least acting consistently with their religion. I suppose you have a great deal of respect for telemarketers too? George Patterson Some people think they hear a call to the priesthood when what they really hear is a tiny voice whispering "It's indoor work with no heavy lifting". |
#567
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"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message ... Richard Hertz wrote: And that is precisely why you should respect these folks you had a hard time with - they were at least acting consistently with their religion. I suppose you have a great deal of respect for telemarketers too? He probably is one. George Patterson Some people think they hear a call to the priesthood when what they really hear is a tiny voice whispering "It's indoor work with no heavy lifting". |
#568
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Um, no - he was free to leave any time. He joined them for a meal, they
chatted about stuff, then the topic came to religion. What is rude? Just say "Sorry, bye." and go on your way. No need to make fun of people or name call. I think the terrorism thing is a bit overstated, don't you? Not at all the same thing. What was aggressive? Jay could have walked away any time, or asked to drop the subject. I think the religion thing is a waste of time, however I am at least respectful of people's religions - especially the ones that are consistent. "Dan Luke" wrote in message ... "Richard Hertz" wrote: And that is precisely why you should respect these folks you had a hard time with - they were at least acting consistently with their religion. What is that, an excuse? We should respect rude, aggressive proselytizers because they are able to convince themselves God wants them to behave that way? Islamic terrorists use that exact rationalization. -- Dan C172RG at BFM |
#569
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No. Totally different. Jay agreed to joint them for lunch. He even said
they asked if he wouldn't mind them saying a prayer. He could have left the conversation at any time. He makes it sound like they followed him and hounded him. From what I read it was not rude behavior. I find it a bit odd that some people to talk to strangers about religion, but what is rude about it? People just seem to want to be isolated and not have to deal with anyone different than they are. Clearly Jay's reaction (as others have pointed out) seem to stem more from his own issues with religions than anything the two people he met did. Makes me wonder what would happen if I (or anyone) stayed at his little hotel and he found something about us odd. What would be posted on this newsgroup the following week? "G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message ... Richard Hertz wrote: And that is precisely why you should respect these folks you had a hard time with - they were at least acting consistently with their religion. I suppose you have a great deal of respect for telemarketers too? George Patterson Some people think they hear a call to the priesthood when what they really hear is a tiny voice whispering "It's indoor work with no heavy lifting". |
#570
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No. Not even close. I also don't practice any religion.
You probably are one. "Dave Stadt" wrote in message .com... "G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message ... Richard Hertz wrote: And that is precisely why you should respect these folks you had a hard time with - they were at least acting consistently with their religion. I suppose you have a great deal of respect for telemarketers too? He probably is one. George Patterson Some people think they hear a call to the priesthood when what they really hear is a tiny voice whispering "It's indoor work with no heavy lifting". |
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