The Red and Black

Issue date: 10/9/07 Section: Opinions

WADE KOCH

Marc McAfee, writer of the Oct. 4 column, "Religious talk goes nowhere," was correct. But he missed a valuable point.

Many may agree, it is agitating. Downtown - one wrong turn and you are accosted by religious panhandlers with fresh hot guilt injections. They stab Old Testaments into your unwilling hands, saying, "Bless yew." Every time you turn on the TV or open a newspaper, it's Christ, Bible, cross, God ... Britney Spears. Even worse is when students invest valuable time arguing about it on the Internet.

My opinion is Christianity is losing its firm grip on colleges and high schools, and the desperate are reaching out.

College is about community and tolerance, and the fire-and-brimstone promotes separatism. It's a paradox in every classroom. Christianity has a beautiful message, but it has been polluted by various sects, such as Tate preachers. There are those who pollute it, and those who watch it happen - they both desperately are seeking you. Then there are the loudmouths sick of the whole thing.

The act of reaching out and the disruption caused - it's all human ego. People need something to do to feel like whoever they think they are, whether it is being "legitimately" annoyed or lurking around campus with a box full of Bibles.

Most the time, once you take the "you" out of the situation, peace will blossom. If you don't react, it leaves them only themselves to confront.

Here's the thing - next time a religious nutcase gets in your bubble, look him dead in the face and say, "This is great. Thank you. Have a blessed day." Toss it once you've rounded the corner. You may have just dropped a bundle of happiness into a world of internal vacancy. Maybe if everyone did this, they may not feel the need to hustle and bustle at your particular corner.

Although most of these religious groups seem affectionate, somewhere deep inside, they are dying for confrontation. Why? It gives them purpose. So, instead of scoffing, take what they offer and be on your way. Good energy spreads good energy. If you aggravate them, they will embed themselves further in our demographic. They are on a crusade for souls, people.

There is a preacher from Florida named Micah "Brother Micah" Armstrong (the dude with the backpack) who wants to fight you. He is usually successful. He stands atop the podium outside the Tate Center and belts belligerently about "homos" and "the wrath of Christ" (by the way, who allows him?) But, instead of taking the bait, imagine the beauty of everyone passing him by with dignity and indifference. That poor soul wants you to be annoyed. He aches for battle, begging for things he was denied by a loved one. Stop buying in.

Drew Lichtenstein, the writer of the Sept. 7 column "Eternal future not so bright" - did he require response? It was an incoherent rhapsody about the gamble of faith.

People who responded were those he successfully impregnated with negativity. Why did everyone feel the need to jump in? The truth is, if he is really searching, he will find God - who cares if it's yours? They start it; you end it. Choose your battles.

The urge for everyone to display their beliefs is wrong, Mr. McAfee. But the disgusting thing is for people to react, either through words, action or any emotion. Everyone is so ready to be offended or annoyed. Everyone has something to protect.

Our planet will always be littered with religious confronters, especially if we react to them. Such is life. Our annoyance is fuel to their fire. Smile at them. The unfulfilled man requires action. If we respond with none, these people will either move along or forget it.


- Wade Koch is a junior from Macon and blogger for The Red & Black Bookstack.

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