Campfyre Stories

Spawn and I headed out to do some grocery shopping for a small dinner party we had for the family this weekend.  It’s not a long bus ride, but because it was Saturday, the bus was pretty full.

I’ve noticed that a lot of times there are people on the bus who hand out those little credit card-sized pamphlets about how the Rapture is drawing near and if you want to go to Heaven, you need to repent your sins.  I see the guys selling their papers and I’ve been known to hang out and chat with Mormons when they ring my doorbell.  But never have I been subjected quite so vehemently.

REPENT!  THE END IS NEAR!  REPENT YOUR SINS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN!

(One random woman:  Amen!  Preach on, sister!  Another mousy woman mouths "Amen", seemingly so as not to offend God.  The rest of the bus is either gaping at her or ignoring the fuss.)

She continues shouting what I can only assume are Bible verses for about 90 seconds. 

Frankly, I doubt if she earned herself any converts in that moment, but a boy scout’s mother ushered him off the bus in an extreme hurry.

I really don’t care what your personal beliefs are.  Well, that’s not true, I don’t care if I don’t know you.  If I do know you, I care enough to learn what it is you believe.  However, I do not enjoy having the beliefs of others shoved down my throat when I’m in a situation where I am essentially trapped.

Technically, the bus is private property and I have a feeling that many of the other drivers would have spoken to her sternly or asked her to leave for creating such a ruckus.  It wasn’t too long ago that I heard a young teenage boy spoken to very harshly for singing a non-offensive song in a lovely tenor voice.  He was asked to not disturb the other passengers (who were not disturbed by his singing, frankly).  This was much more disturbing and a whole lot louder.

In most situations, I don’t mind what you say or do, but just don’t shove it down my throat.  Especially if I have no opportunity to walk away.