Brother, Can You Spare a Tome?

This morning, as I drove to the downtown Borders here in Ann Arbor to stick my nose in Dan Brown's latest book, I saw something I had not seen here in a long time. There were about 8 to 10 white guys all dressed in shirts and ties, most seemed to be within a few years of my age, standing on corners handing out little green Gideon New Testaments to the students as they walked past. They would just hold them out to the students, and to the credit of the bible passers, they did not seem to be hassling the kids. I did wonder what one or more of the bible purveyors would have said if I had shown up with a box full of Qurans, and began passing them out.

Still, I do think it is a tad cheeky to stand there putting a book of moralistic fantasy in people's faces, who could really care less. I am sure that a perusal of campus waste baskets this evening will turn up a few of the books.

The upshot of all this, for me, is just another illustration of the one freedom that religion will not allow people, and that is the right to be left alone. I do not understand why people who are pious have such a hard time tolerating other people who may not share their beliefs. Is it because there may be someone who is happy and fulfilled who does not share their ideas of 'the only way you can be truly happy.' Such a realization would be a threat to their comfy little worlds. So, fine, just don't come telling me I have to be happy your way or I will go to some hell and be tortured forever. That belief is quite simply bullshit.

I have my religion and they have theirs. Fine. I also have a right to be happy and left alone as long as what I believe does not actually cause harm to other people or the social fabric.

One time a guy was offering me salvation, which I kindly but firmly refused. He then said, as I walked away, "It makes me sad that you will someday be in hell." I stopped and turned around and looked at him. I think he thought for a second that I was moved because I had made him sad. I said "Well, don't let that bother you. Go rent a porno, get a bottle of Crisco Oil and some tissues and you'll be all happy again." He stood with his mouth hanging open as I walked off.

I resisted the temptation to park my car and walk past one of these earnest gentlemen. I guess I am willing to give the same space to others as I ask for myself. Getting older does that for one, it would seem.

Besides. Dan Brown was waiting...

Tim