Jesus Peeps Dropped by the House

So there we were watching TV late on Saturday evening when we heard a knock at the door. The dogs barked frantically. It was two representatives from a church who wanted to rap Jesus with me. They opened with "Hi, we're so-and-so and we'd like to talk to you about Jesus... do you mind if we come in?" I declined, telling them that we were just watching a movie and that we're not very religious. When asked, I promptly told them that I generally chose science to answer my questions and explain the universe. Then I gained some mad street cred when I mentioned that I was raised Roman Catholic. Eyebrows were raised to the "I'm impressed" angle.

I had gotten that far in high school. I think Dominic was at the house in high school when some of Jesus' peeps (his Waynesboro, PA Posse) dropped by my parents' house. Back then I told them essentially the same thing.

But tonight I also realized that simply sending them away didn't represent my full sentiment. I wanted them to realize that what they're doing is a good thing. I didn't want to discourage them in any way. A lot of people can be helped. So I explained in a few sentences that I felt the church could play an important framing role in the world if it embraced and worked with science. Essentially an executive summary of one of my blog posts about the church and science.

This is a better way to react than the way I reacted in high school. In high school I simply wanted to prove my point and make them go away. Tonight I started on that path but then realized that doing so wouldn't really help the world. It's not about my point or theirs. It's about people making the world a better place. So I made sure that they understood that I tolerated them... actually tolerated them isn't correct... I supported them?... well, not completely... maybe just "I'm cool with it" is a better way to put it.

Only took a couple minutes and they were gone. And I got a free Jesus card for a Jesus video.

I'm not sure if my message will make it to the new pope or not. I hear he's fairly busy these days fighting those evil gay assrangers. But who knows... maybe he'll get the message from his Jesus peeps in Georgia. Fingers crossed.