Tuesday, October 28, 2008

In God I believe

On days bright and sunny rare as they are, I venture into the city to enjoy the views of the Puget Sound and hustle bustle of the Pike Place market. It is fun even without any company. It is actually good to be by yourself.
But you know what pisses me off? The fact that when some people see a person alone all by themselves, they assume that he/she is either weird, depressed or worse: open for conversation. Just because a person is alone does not mean she is lonely or pathetic or pitiful. You don't have to look at her apologetically or step away from her because you are not sure what will happen if you are too close and you definitely don't need to try and have a conversation with her. Especially not when she is sipping her wonderful cappuccino enjoying the rare sunny day in Pacific NW. And definitely not about her religious beliefs. Excuse me!!!!
There are things that make you self conscious when you are alone. The fact that almost all homeless people will ask you for money and make eye contact with you, thinking you are only a step above them. After all first sign of poverty is that your friends and family abandon you. Having food by yourself in a restaurant, how sad is that right? You can barely taste what you are eating as you gulp down the food because you can see people feeling sorry for you and your waiter looking almost apologetic.
But all this I can take, I have braved all kinds of eyes and looks and am actually able to smile at homeless people without freaking out. I know of people who wont/cant do that.
But what I cannot understand is that why do religious zealots think it to be their responsibility to target people like me in their quest to spread the word of God. We are alone but not necessarily lost or depressed or in search of God. We are just people enjoying the city and the sun and coffee. The idea that just because I am by myself I am lost and I need to find God is ridiculous. I know God, and him and I are OK. Nevertheless, they approach me, all the time. Maybe I just have a face of a non-believer or perhaps I look lost and depressed. Damn these dark circles.
Anyway last weekend I had a funny encounter of this kind. I was sitting on a bench, watching people go by as I sat in the sun enjoying my cappuccino when a Mexican couple strolled by and started taking pics of the bay. I didn't pay much attention since I was totally focused on this adorable yellow Labrador. I felt the couple circling my bench a few times and I thought that was weird. I tried to ignore them but suddenly they appeared in front of me and sat down on the bench across from mine. This is the conversation that followed:
Jose (I call him Jose coz there is a 80% chance that his name is Jose)': Hi
Me:Hi
Jose:It is nice today, yaa? ( heavy accent)
Me: Sure, it is gorgeous.
Jose: You from here.
Me: Yes ( by now I am thinking up my escape route, I am in no mood for idle chit chat)
Jose:You go to church
I had no answer, just ridiculous smile (Maybe I am wrong but aren't Mexicans Catholics and Catholics don't preach right?)
Jose: You believe in God
Me: Sure ( I get up)
Jose: You no go to church (with his accent should he even be preaching)
Me: No, I have to go...
Jose (getting up and cutting me off) Do you not say God help me, take me, take care of my life, i am here. (He throws his arms in the air looking up at the sky)
It was very theatrical and I would have made my escape then had it not been so...well theatrical. I could see his small Latina wife was a little embarrassed.
Me: Right
Jose: U go church and God help you ( he said emphatically, gesturing in earnest towards the sky).
Me: ummmm, do you guys want me to take your picture
Jose looks at his wife and says something in Spanish. I almost said exactly.
So after getting inspected by both of them as I took their picture, I quickly rushed off hoping Jose wont start an interpretive dance about Jesus.
I am all for religious freedom and have nothing against preaching do whatever makes you happy. But next time, target the guy in the huge group with a big family. Because even though he has people around him, he maybe the one lost or unhappy or in search of God. Even if he is not brown. You are wasting your time on me. I am already taken care of.

2 comments:

APOO said...

You are also alone when you are at the top! Perhaps you are at the top :P

Religion has far outlived its purpose! I came across this psycho once (http://heartcurry.blogspot.com/2008/05/jesus.html)

And have you started jogging? I told ya... I am watching you? if you jog rather than sit on a bench, Mexicans cant catch n lecture ya :P

the free spirit said...

@apoo: I hope not this is not the top for me, I need it to be better lol. And yes this alone shud be a motivation to start jogging :)