| A few years back I was working in Ithaca, New York. | | | | I earnestly dug and dug trying to find a real strong |
| One Saturday morning we got a knock on our door. It | | | | understanding of their particular theology. |
| was two young missionary girls who wished to chat | | | | And this is what I discovered: |
| with us. | | | | I posed this question: So, why do you believe in what |
| My wife told them we weren't interested, and wished | | | | you believe in? |
| them a nice afternoon. | | | | Two wide-eyed, young girls looked right at me, and |
| And it's fairly obvious she was hoping this was the end | | | | with undeniable enthusiasm told me, "Because it's the |
| of the whole thing. | | | | words of the Prophet!" |
| Now, it could be argued that I'm a relatively | | | | "Ah," I said. "And why do you believe in the words of |
| confrontational individual. And being that I am a pretty | | | | the Prophet?" |
| educated Jew who loves a little intellectual debate, I | | | | A wild eyed, sincerely pious look came over their |
| asked my guests what they thought about seeing if | | | | faces as they nodded and told me, "Because it's |
| we could get the girls to come back. Fortunately, they | | | | written in the book!" |
| were quite excited about the idea. | | | | "Oh," I exclaimed. And I curiously added, "So why do |
| Now, my philosophy about missionaries is such: If you | | | | you believe in the words of the book?" |
| truly believe something, go ahead and argue your | | | | OK, boys and girls. We've entered the moment of |
| perspective. I live for friendly debate! But if what you're | | | | truth: |
| doing is not friendly debate, but rather manipulation and | | | | "Because it was written by the Prophet!" |
| toying with the emotions of the weak or innocent, for | | | | They said it as if it were obvious. |
| this I have little respect. | | | | They said it with not a care in the world about the |
| Regardless, I've always understood that missionaries | | | | logical circle they just created. |
| are generally trained and ready to argue, and I thought | | | | I'm relatively positive they were actually totally |
| it would be fun to engage in a little healthy debate with | | | | unaware that it had even been created. |
| my afternoon. | | | | And with my dreams of a solid debate behind me, I |
| And that's when I learned something I never knew | | | | thanked them for their company, wished them a |
| before. | | | | wonderful afternoon, and walked them to my door. |
| Some missionaries are very different than what I | | | | These young ladies were beyond polite, extremely |
| thought. | | | | friendly and modest, and definitely well meaning. |