Serendipitous opportunities for philosophical mischief make my world go 'round.
A brief door-to-door Jesus-sales interlude that amused me just now:
*knock knock* / *answer answer*
Besuited and mustachioned fellow who was the spitting image of Ned Flanders: "It's just Jehovah's Witnesses!" (I had to smile at that one.)
JW: "We've had a lot of people ask us if it's scientific to believe in God..." (Huh. There's a new pick-up line...)
Me: (truly amazed) "In Albany? REALLY?" (looking around outside to make sure I hadn't been translocated to some other, less conservative and neocon-soaked hidden pocket of the NW)
JW: "Believe it or not... "
Me: "Who? I'd love to talk to them!"
JW: (strategically and cruelly deflecting the query of a lonely and isolated freethinker...) "What do you think?"
Me: "Well, I don't think science and religion are at all mutually exclusive, and I am of the opinion that people should dedicate themselves to studying each equally and integrating what they learn into a cohesive and inclusive whole. I think it's shortsighted and self-limiting to restrict one's personal models to either one or the other...don't you?" (If he learns one thing today, Mr. JW will learn that the Socratic Method can be a precarious path to tread.)
JW (his floral-bedecked galpal beside him with her mouth open): "......well...my. Would you like to..." (half-heartedly extending a tract-filled hand)
Me: "I've spent a lot of time studying both already, and I try to learn more whenever I can...but I'm feeling under the weather and not really looking to add another layer of philosophy to my theories today. But thank you."
JW: (smiling nervously) "Of course...wouldn't want to confuse anyone..." (I quote.)
Me: (trying not to giggle) "I hope you have a WONDERFUL DAY! Bye, now!" (waving and smiling animatedly, resisting the urge to add 'Okily dokily!')
(I'm bratty today. I need to start a collection of wacky headgear to keep in a box by the door for these little exchanges...)
*knock knock* / *answer answer*
Besuited and mustachioned fellow who was the spitting image of Ned Flanders: "It's just Jehovah's Witnesses!" (I had to smile at that one.)
JW: "We've had a lot of people ask us if it's scientific to believe in God..." (Huh. There's a new pick-up line...)
Me: (truly amazed) "In Albany? REALLY?" (looking around outside to make sure I hadn't been translocated to some other, less conservative and neocon-soaked hidden pocket of the NW)
JW: "Believe it or not... "
Me: "Who? I'd love to talk to them!"
JW: (strategically and cruelly deflecting the query of a lonely and isolated freethinker...) "What do you think?"
Me: "Well, I don't think science and religion are at all mutually exclusive, and I am of the opinion that people should dedicate themselves to studying each equally and integrating what they learn into a cohesive and inclusive whole. I think it's shortsighted and self-limiting to restrict one's personal models to either one or the other...don't you?" (If he learns one thing today, Mr. JW will learn that the Socratic Method can be a precarious path to tread.)
JW (his floral-bedecked galpal beside him with her mouth open): "......well...my. Would you like to..." (half-heartedly extending a tract-filled hand)
Me: "I've spent a lot of time studying both already, and I try to learn more whenever I can...but I'm feeling under the weather and not really looking to add another layer of philosophy to my theories today. But thank you."
JW: (smiling nervously) "Of course...wouldn't want to confuse anyone..." (I quote.)
Me: (trying not to giggle) "I hope you have a WONDERFUL DAY! Bye, now!" (waving and smiling animatedly, resisting the urge to add 'Okily dokily!')
(I'm bratty today. I need to start a collection of wacky headgear to keep in a box by the door for these little exchanges...)