In Canada people are free to practice their religions as they choose-- provided they are not stepping on someone else’s beliefs. Or as old Queen Vic was purported to say: “As long as they don’t do it in the street and scare the horses.” On the sixth day of the power outage following hurricane Arthur, I was returning along my driveway carrying the trash can and swatting mosquitoes when I was visited by a pair of Jehovah’s Witnesses, bent on hustling me with their beliefs. I was already hot, tired and cross. As soon as I saw the Bibles my hackles rose. “You have chosen the wrong day to come here pushing religion,” I said. One started to reply, but I cut her off. “Your arrogance in assuming you can influence my relationship with God is offensive to me. “You don’t know me, so I will explain: I am 76 years old. I have been married and widowed. I am recovering from a stroke. Over the years I have experienced success, failure, grief, despair, disappointment, betrayal, loss and much joy. I am familiar with shame, regret, humiliation, forgiveness and I have known love. In other words, I have lived. I have survived. “I have read more than 10,000 books including the Bible, the Koran and the Jewish Code of Law, plus a smattering of Eastern mysticism and philosophy. I was raised a Baptist, baptized in the People’s Church, attended Mount Carmel Convent School and my best friend is a Mennonite. So whatever you are selling, I am past buying. “In the past I have been courteous to you. But I have become tired of your bullying in the name of religion. I have asked you politely, time and again, to leave me alone. “The next time you come pestering and proselytizing, I will set my dog on you.”
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 22:50:12 +0000