What would Jesus do?

I always thought this was a cute phrase. Until last tonight.

The man sitting next to me on yesterday's flight had these words emblazoned on his t-shirt (I really didn't think much of it.) He seemed nice in an ordinary sort of way and we easily struck up a conversation.

He asked me what my profession is. So, I answered and asked the same. (He sells medical equipment.) He wanted to know if I had a wife and kids. I gave him the full download. After about 10 minutes of directionless small talk, I was ready to pull out a book, when he asked me if I am a religious man.

After I realized that he was serious, I knew that this discussion was going in the wrong direction. Still, I politely answered, no.

In hindsight, I should have just ignored the question or told him it was a personal issue. Because, this man then proceeded to explain to me how important it is to love God and believe in one's faith.  Although, my instincts were imploring me to end this conversation (no good ever comes from debating religion, especially with a zealot,) I decided to humor myself by turning the tables on him to become the interviewer.

I asked him what religion he prescribed to. The man in the Jesus shirt said he was a devout Baptist and he believed that Jesus is the most important thing in his life and brings complete bliss to him and his family. I explained that while I am Jewish and definitely believe in a higher being (God,) I don't need any sort of deep religious fulfillment to be happy. And, that's where the conversation fell off a cliff.

You see, this man just couldn't fathom how (as a Jew) I am not as religious as him (I guess because I'm from the "chosen" tribe.) He actually implored me to rethink my values because "God is real and He is the only glue that holds our society together.”

That was quite enough for me (it was time to go on the offensive.) I asked him a series of questions (in my opinion, none of which he answered well at all.) Are you saying that if I don't have deep religious faith I'm lacking values? Did you ever think about the reality that if I truly believed that my faith is the right one, then it means that all others are wrong (too bad for the tens of millions of Muslims and Christians who believe their path is different than mine, I guess?) What proof is there that your faith is real or that God exists? And, how do you know that God is a he?

Mr. Jesus Shirt (my new name for him) soon realized that he was falling mighty short on converting me. And although we did debate the Bible for a few minutes (naturally, its' 100 percent accurate to him,) he soon shifted his body to face the aisle and fell asleep about 15 minutes later. (I guess talking religion really tired him out.) There ended what could have clearly been a blossoming friendship.

On a serious note, I decided to write this post because the topic of religion has been on my mind lately. To me, religion is simply a belief. It's important to the masses because so many need to believe that there is a higher being watching over them (versus random chaos) and that life can always improve (thus praying for health, prosperity, etc.). It also does provide a moral compass to many and clearly bonds groups of people culturally (and that's the positive for me.) Quite simply, religion is a critical part of our world, and my feeling is that everyone should happily believe in whatever faith (or not) that they want.

What galls me though is just how foolish, naive and downright offensive Mr. Jesus Shirt and his followers can be. Let's start with foolish and offensive. He is happy. That's wonderful. No one is pushing him to change direction or do something else with his life to be happier. The man needs to realize that the same rule should apply to the countless unassuming travelers that he probably accosted just like me.

Naïve: Sorry, but the Bible was written hundreds of years after Jesus lived and died. Who knows what is real versus fiction. Even many scholars of the Old Testament question Abraham (whether he was one man or many,) Noah's ark, Sodom and Gomorrah and so many other morale stories. Should they be believed? Absolutely— by those who want to. But, there is absolutely no empirical data which shows that any of these stories are real. And, what about the question regarding whose religion is the right one? If he thinks that because I'm Jewish I should believe more in my faith, then he's also answering the question about whether Jesus was the son of God. Because Jews don't believe that.

I hope my Catholic friends aren't offended with the specific example I use here. This bizarre dude could have been peddling extreme Muslim fundamentalism, Judaism or any other religion. It all would have been the same to me. Religion is based on faith. It should bring people together. Not tear them apart as it has done in our society since the beginning of time.

 

 

Comments

[Flackman]

Never fool with a fundie. Rational thought is apostasy.

[(friendof)ed]

Once, on a east to west coast flight, I sat reading my x-airport novel. As Ohio past beneath, a set of fingers appeared over the top of the page I was on and pulled the book down and away from me. I was struck dumb and looked up to see an older, grinning, rudy-faced gentleman looking down at me. "Do you know this book is an abomination in the eyes of God?" I was rattled and all I could come up with was "what?" He replied: "have you found Jesus?" I found a modicum of composure, a touch of anger and engaged. "Why do you ask?"
He tapped his chubby fingers on my book and said, "this is an abomination in the eyes of God." I finally found my anger and pulled the book out from under his grip and I lied. "You know sir," I said, "I was on the fence, and you pushed me over, I'm gonna go with satan." Ruddy-face became a gasping white, his turn to be rattled: "what?"
I smiled and repeated, "satan, I'm gonna go with satan, now leave me alone." He staggered back and left me alone with my novel. Thirty seconds and I lie Ed. I finished the book by L.A.

btw Everyone--to person--that was within earshot said something to the effect of: "that was really good, funny-good." Sometimes its best to shut it down from the jump.

[Christine]

Great post, Ed. I recently had a similar conversation and it really rattled me - if people believe in something that brings moral direction to their life, than I'm all for it. I have difficultly with the bible pushers that look for otherwise happy and spiritually confident people to attack - the nerve! It's NOT socially acceptable, and I can't wait until they get the memo and truly save us all.

[Chuck Crisco]

Interesting. I apologize on behalf of zealous Christians who sometimes see people as a notch on a gun. On the other hand, I respectfully challenge you to honestly evaluate who Christians say God is with the same zeal you evaluate business. There are indeed so many historical affirmations of the biblical stories that it is overwhelming to those who will take the time to look. (for instance when Jericho was excavated it was discovered that the walls did indeed fall down...straight down as if pushed straight down from above.)
I know overzealous Christians can miss the point sometimes, but it should encourage you to know there are people in the world who care about the eternal happiness of others through loving them instead of blowing them up with bombs to force conversion. Just some thoughts I hope you will think about.