Manners Maketh Man (if not God)

So there’s this spat I had with one of the goodly gentlemen.
(blog: 6 Jan 2011)

During their month’s mission I got to know them pretty well, got to respect them, like them a lot. We had drinks and meals together. Lively conversation ranged across every topic, save one …

… the one that well-brought up Englishmen avoid like the plague – faith in the supernatural. ‘Religion’ in other words.

All the more so because my new friends were Men of God, pastors. To be fair to their American manners, the topic of the Almighty did not once fall from their lips. Pastors they may have been, Evangelicals not.

So why, on the morning of their departure, did I allow myself to give vent to the notion that I didn’t believe in God; that nothing on earth could ever persuade me to change my mind?

For a moment I detected a flush of pity cross their faces. Then one of them, patting my hand, said “That’s alright. Fortunately, God believes in you.”

Great line, neat as a chestnut. How I wish. Oh, HOW I wish!

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