Flat Tire Evangelists

@Arik

That's too funny. I've had some similar experiences. I've been told many times that most thought me to be highly religious because of my reserved nature and kindness. I crack up when I hear that.

My natural instinct is to say, "That's because I'm kind because I think it's the right way to be, not because I think God will punish me if I'm not."

But I don't say that.

Nice!

I had the opposite thing happen to me the other day.

I stopped to buy something to chew on for a drive in San Mateo in a gas station. The attendant asked me where my accent was from, I said Israel, so he asked me if I was a Jew.

I usually don't say that to people in the US, because of the high rate of believers, but I figured my contact with this guy was very brief so I answered Atheist.

His eyes widened and he asked some of the usual questions (so what happens when you die etc). Then in comes a guy who's wet from the rain asking for jumper cables. The attendant had some in the shop in the back but he said he can't open it at night because he's the only one there.

Although I didn't have any on me, I offered to help him out. I drove him around to find cables, and eventually we found some guy who was willing to lend us the cables, I drove him to his car, we jump-started his car with mine. I gave him my business card and he promised to keep in touch. I refused the money he offered.

As I drove back to the gas station to get my candy (I finished the previous one and shared it with the other guy), the attendant was very surprised that me out of all people helped that guy. I said, "you'll probably say I was sent by god to help him" and he was again surprised I guessed what was on his mind.

Then a few days later I get the following mail, to my work address:

-- start quote --
Subject: A Question About the life?

Hi Arik

I hope you don't mind the direct contact.
i have a question which always becomes nightmare for me is it true that one day i will not be alive?
if it's true then why we are crazy to collect those things which will not go with us Please suggest me or will you forward this note along, or suggest to me who the best person is to know this?

Thank you so much!

[name removed]
[address removed]
Santa Clara
CA 95054 USA

-- end quote --

I don't really remember the guy's name, so I don't know for certain that it was him, but the timing works out. I don't usually get personal messages from people I don't know.

Weird.

-- Arik

bloody opportunist. i have three very close family members that turned evangelical on the rest of us. they tried it on my mom when she was convalescing at their house. we made it clear that sort of offer, to be saved or otherwise, isn't appreciated.

(however, your man also seems somewhat unhinged to boot. limit sudden movements, back away slowly, and call for help calmly.)

-=T=-