Speak to Me

Today, I had an unsuspected visitor. Those are the best, aren't they? It was a volunteer from a Jehovah's Witness church, spreading the message of God. And I spoke with her, took her magazine, and asked her to come back next week so we can talk more. This is something I've never done before. Normally, I say "No thanks" in a not-very-polite voice and close the door on them. Granted, the last time a Jehovah's witness came to my door, I was a teenager.

Things I've learned today:

Answering the door even though you're busy watching Dexter and playing Sims 2 and not expecting anyone is always a good idea.
Jehovah's witnesses don't believe in the trinity, hell, the immortal soul, that not all good people go to heaven (only a select few, the rest live forever on earth), that Mary is the mother of God, or that there should be images of God (though no Christian does, so I don't know how this fits: must ask!).
That even under the label of "Christian," there are many ways of viewing and worshipping god (which I knew, for the most part.)

I'm not going to say it was a timely visit, exactly, because it's not as though I'm hovering on the edge of doubt waiting to be saved. I'm a Pagan, and there's no changing that. But that doesn't mean I can't be civil or join in discussions of religion. Honest discussions, as I hope to have next week with this woman, benefit both sides. I don't honestly expect to convert her to paganism or even away from... Jehovah's Witness-ism, just as I don't expect to be converted, but I do hope to maybe alter her perception of pagans and paganism into a more positive light. And maybe she'll be able to answer some questions for me.

This visit also made me wonder what I'll be taking away from my foray into Christianity. Other than the knowledge that it's really not for me, I mean. The use of prayer, maybe. I know some Pagans pray, seeing it as a less obtrusive way for "magicking" up some help for someone. But it is also a less ritualized way of talking to god, to either offer up thanks or even ask for help. This is something that will take a bit more thought, me thinks.