In my last post, I talked about these blogs and how I was worried about our nation becoming polarized. But, out of the mouths of babes comes meaning.  I overheard my daughter and her two friends discussing religion.  My daughter is a self-defined secular humanist with deist leanings (meaning, she's not quite an atheist, but wouldn't claim a religion or say with certainty that God exists as presented by any known religion --- and, humanism is the best philosophy).  One of her friends is a Muslim.  The other is Christian (Catholic).   Now, teen-aged girls can be brutal...sometimes without even meaning to be.  Differences aren't really prized in high school.  Yet, these girls sat and talked about why they believe the things they believe.  No one was insulted.  I heard a great many, "Wow.  I didn't know that."-type statements.  I heard laughter and congenial banter.  At one point, they discussed about how my daughter thought she got her moral framework and the other two girls were polite and seemed interested and accepting of what she had to say.  In turn, my daughter knew enough about their faiths to ask them questions and understand their point-of-view through sharing.  

Why can't adults do this?  I'm so proud of these three girls.  They are the future and if they can accept each other and love the unique philosophies of friends, then I think the future is looking good.  I was reduced to happy tears.  I thought some of you would enjoy hearing this.   

Over the last six months, I've become very worried about our country and where it's headed.  Chief of my worries is that people are dead-set on being right instead of solving any problems.  This comes from both sides of the political fence!  Conservatives and Liberals; red and blue.  I went through these blogs today and counted eighty-three comments/posts/incidents where a member of one side made sweeping generalizations about the other side.  And, this isn't limited to the us.  If you read some of the opinions in the paper and other places, then you'll see that the numbers rise at such a fast rate that you can hardly keep track.  WHY?  Why are we acting like a bunch of bratty children?  Making hasty generalizations about the "other side" is pointless.  For one, not everyone fits neatly into one side or the other.  There is ALWAYS common ground to be found.  ALWAYS!  I'm afraid for this country because discussion has turned into a contest.  You can't stand united when you're busy watching the other side for mistakes.  You can't stand united if you willingly and frequently call your neighbor "wrong", "stupid", "ignorant", or "evil." 

I'm curious about the ways of modern day evangelism and how (or what) people feel is proselytizing.  What is okay?  What is over-stepping the bounds of common courtesy?  Where and when is it appropriate?  Clearly there are various answers and those answers will vary further among different people.  There's no clear line.  So...with that in mind, these are a series of yes and no questions. 

(Yes or No)

1.  Is it okay to ask someone what religion they are during your first introduction?

2.  Is it okay to ask someone what religion they are any time after that?

3.  Is it okay to ask someone what church they belong to or attend?

4.  Is it okay to do that in a public venue with other people around?

5.  is it okay to do that when you first meet someone?

6.  Is it okay to go to someones house and ask the other guests what religion they are?

7.  Is it okay to ask someone what church they go to or what religion they are if you've invited them to your home for a casual dinner?

8.  A formal dinner?

9.  A dinner with multiple guests?

10.  Is it okay to hand out religious materials (a bible) to someone else's child?

11.  Is it okay to invite someones child to a church event without talking to the parent first?

12.  Is it okay to distribute invitations to church activities among students at a public school?

13.  Is it okay to take someones child to a church function without the parent's permission?

14.  Is it okay to hand out religious materials in schools?

15.  Hospital waiting rooms?

16.  Doctor's offices?

17.  Is it okay to ask people to declare their faith/religion/life's philosophy during school or work hours?

18.  Is it okay to walk up to a stranger and begin preaching to them?

19.  Is it okay to preach to a friend?

20.  Is it okay to preach to co-workers?

I'm looking forward to the answers.  If you'd like to elaborate, then feel free to do so after you answer yes or no.   :)  I don't see this so much as a religious issue as I do about appropriate boundaries.