I had a very interesting incident occur today.
Living in a fairly ethnically saturated part of Canada (especially Indian), I encountered something odd. I don't live here anymore, but had come to see my parents and get some things done.
Anywho, it's a gorgeous day and I happened to be walking on the sidewalk. Coming upon an intersection, I leaned to press the button to cross the road, when I came across a veeery friendly lady doing the same. She smiles and initiates conversation "It's sunny huh, it's not CHALI (40) degrees though" she said with a laugh.
I tilted my head, feeling a little confused as this Caucasian woman continued with "This is nothing compared to when WE go back to India, huh?" she said with a laugh
I quietly replied "I've mostly been here".
She then asked me if I read and spoke Punjabi, to which I replied hesitantly "yes". She then begins to tell me about how she's learning Punjabi and starts to speak some Punjabi dialogue. At this point she's gone from a stranger to being quite an interesting stranger. I decide to open up a little bit.
As we cross the road, she begins to describe how there's meetings where she learns Punjabi and tells me about them. I don't understand what's she's getting at because I'm not really a beginner Punjabi speaker. Why is she mentioning these meetings? I ask "Oh, what institution is offering these?" (assuming it must be a School or something).
Once we have crossed the road, she pulls out her pamphlets in Punjabi and English, emphasising "It's Free, the meeting's Free".
At this point I recognise what's happening, looking at the Jesus pamphet reading "mufat" and start to say to her "You know, there's a lot of different religions in the world, God has revealed himself (pardon the gender label) to many different people in different ways". (hoping she gets the hint that I'm not interested in where this is heading)
She responds to this with something like "oh yes, God has revealed himself to over 10,000 different people... the BIBLE blah blah...."
At this point, I can't help it. I'm uncomfortable and offended at being approached as easy convert prey. I'm not an overtly religious person, but I have a HUGE problem with any person that says ONLY their ideas/beliefs/group is right and everyone else is less than, unless they convert.
She props open her bible and starts to state the daily verse about 'the kingdom'. I promptly say to her "What if I told you, I will Never believe in Jesus", looking her straight in the eye as my carefree walk has turned into something else.
She responds "Well, that's your APNA FENSLA (own decision).Thanks for expressing it for me. I like people to at least look at their decisions every once in a while..."
I respond "Yes, it's 100% my FENSLA. You know there's a lot of people that believe in Nothing these days, Family's are falling apart, the family structure is failing, people are directionless". She nods and agrees. I state that they need help. She agrees and thanks me for my expression.
Thankfully, my bus comes and I hop aboard after saying goodbye to her. In the bus, I reflect upon this young woman eagerly learning Punjabi and approaching strangers like me on the sidewalk with smalltalk, and offering 'FREE' seminars (I informed her the Majority of religions offer free services).. to what end?
Living in a fairly ethnically saturated part of Canada (especially Indian), I encountered something odd. I don't live here anymore, but had come to see my parents and get some things done.
Anywho, it's a gorgeous day and I happened to be walking on the sidewalk. Coming upon an intersection, I leaned to press the button to cross the road, when I came across a veeery friendly lady doing the same. She smiles and initiates conversation "It's sunny huh, it's not CHALI (40) degrees though" she said with a laugh.
I tilted my head, feeling a little confused as this Caucasian woman continued with "This is nothing compared to when WE go back to India, huh?" she said with a laugh
I quietly replied "I've mostly been here".
She then asked me if I read and spoke Punjabi, to which I replied hesitantly "yes". She then begins to tell me about how she's learning Punjabi and starts to speak some Punjabi dialogue. At this point she's gone from a stranger to being quite an interesting stranger. I decide to open up a little bit.
As we cross the road, she begins to describe how there's meetings where she learns Punjabi and tells me about them. I don't understand what's she's getting at because I'm not really a beginner Punjabi speaker. Why is she mentioning these meetings? I ask "Oh, what institution is offering these?" (assuming it must be a School or something).
Once we have crossed the road, she pulls out her pamphlets in Punjabi and English, emphasising "It's Free, the meeting's Free".
At this point I recognise what's happening, looking at the Jesus pamphet reading "mufat" and start to say to her "You know, there's a lot of different religions in the world, God has revealed himself (pardon the gender label) to many different people in different ways". (hoping she gets the hint that I'm not interested in where this is heading)
She responds to this with something like "oh yes, God has revealed himself to over 10,000 different people... the BIBLE blah blah...."
At this point, I can't help it. I'm uncomfortable and offended at being approached as easy convert prey. I'm not an overtly religious person, but I have a HUGE problem with any person that says ONLY their ideas/beliefs/group is right and everyone else is less than, unless they convert.
She props open her bible and starts to state the daily verse about 'the kingdom'. I promptly say to her "What if I told you, I will Never believe in Jesus", looking her straight in the eye as my carefree walk has turned into something else.
She responds "Well, that's your APNA FENSLA (own decision).Thanks for expressing it for me. I like people to at least look at their decisions every once in a while..."
I respond "Yes, it's 100% my FENSLA. You know there's a lot of people that believe in Nothing these days, Family's are falling apart, the family structure is failing, people are directionless". She nods and agrees. I state that they need help. She agrees and thanks me for my expression.
Thankfully, my bus comes and I hop aboard after saying goodbye to her. In the bus, I reflect upon this young woman eagerly learning Punjabi and approaching strangers like me on the sidewalk with smalltalk, and offering 'FREE' seminars (I informed her the Majority of religions offer free services).. to what end?