Monday, June 29, 2009

Crazy Asian Men.

Today. Today I was sitting inside because of the heat, waiting for my class. I prefer to sit outside, but it was just so damn hot. So today, I'm sitting here, across from the theatre space at school, waiting for my class that's in the basement of the theatre. 

So. I'm sitting there, reading. Then, this Asian man walks by and smiles at me, so, of course, I smile back politely. Then, another Asian man smiles at me. Again, I politely smile back. And then he comes over to me.

'Do you have the love of God in your life?' asks the Asian man. Except, his English isn't very good.

'Yes. Thanks. I do.' I lie. I want him to go away. I do not want to be saved today. Thanks.

'Are you Christian?' he asks.

'Yes.' 

'When were you converted?' Seriously dude? Wasn't yes enough for you?

'I was raised in the Lutheran church.' 



Then, he keeps going. I'm not going to bore you. My problem is, I don't want to be rude. I don't. Really. It's his thing and it can stay that way, but after a point, I told him I had to leave for class, which wasn't a lie.

This whole thing really upset me. I think it's mainly because I feel violated. 

My school is non-secular. No religion at all. I'm a spiritual person - I was raised Lutheran, but I most organized religion is full of crap. And this isn't about their faith - to each his own. Everyone has their own thing - that's great, enjoy it. But I feel like this man violated my person beliefs as well as my personal space and time. 

As I said, we're not a secular school, so I don't know why these guys were even there. I had seen them walking around earlier while I was at work, but hadn't paid any attention to them.

I don't know. I don't like being bombarded about my beliefs and I don't do it to others. It's different to have a conversation with a friend or whatever and discuss and compare, but this was really out of line. This was an accusation and condemnation. I don't know if he wanted to 'save' me or felt that all college students are heathens. Honestly, I don't care. It's over with.

But like I said, I still feel violated and hurt. I feel like, as long as you're not hurting anyone else, practice and believe in what you want. But he did hurt me - so it's not okay anymore. He invaded my world and tried to make me feel bad about what I believe (which I do not demonstrate in the outlined conversation, but happened as the conversation went on). 


Believe what you will, but don't force in on anyone, especially me. 

2 comments:

  1. Awww, Colleen! I'm so sorry! I meant to respond to your text, but I was at work until 8:30, and by then I forgot that I wanted to text you :(

    I know what you mean though, I would probably do the same thing if someone did that to me. It's so hard to be rude, even if someone clearly deserves it.

    I doubt they'll bother you again, but you could report them to security if your school's against solicitors. Even if your school doesn't have any actual policies against soliciting, the fact that he verbally attacked you should be enough for security to get involved.

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  2. Thanks!

    And that's what my Mom said. I just wanted to get away from them. I just felt cornered - mainly, because I was physically. I was sitting on a bench next in front of the window.

    I just thought it was weird that they were actually INSIDE the building. I'm use to that crap outside and stuff, but really? They've become forward enough to come inside of our buildings?

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