Date: 2005-04-29
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Seeley Woodsworth Shelter
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: moderate rain

I wrote the following in the register at Brown Mountain Shelter. It's a bit of a rant, but it had to be written:"Ok, I have to vent. I'm gettin tired of religious people - and I guess I should be specific - christians (I haven't found any jews muslims or taoists doing this yet) trying to make me and th ehiki8ng community in general the subject of their so-called ministry.Thre are three examples which stick out in my mind. 1)Blueberry Patch Hostel in Hiawassee, GA. 2) The Methodist's breakfast south of Bland, VA 3) and this morning on the Blue Ridge Parkway after coming down from Punchbowl shelter.First a bit about actions that make sense. The church in Damascus running "The Place" makes sense. And the Blueberry Patch wouldn'6t have ben bad if the prayer before breakfast hadn't lasted 15 minute, and if it hadn't tried to speak to me and for me and make assertions that I disagree with on my behalf. The difference is that one type of action is trying to facilitate seekers on a journey (those of us hiking) and the other is trying to take advantage of us as we hike and try and get our ears regarding what they believe is "the ultimate truth". The tradition I identify with holds people journeying in high regards. I know that we're all out here for different reasons, but I think part of it is that we're looking for something that life in 'civilization' is missing, whatever that may bre. But we're out here, led to undertake this journey (or, gosh - dare I say pilgrimage? to a mystical mountain the natives called Katadin). For some, it is enough - and in fact ALL that can be done - to encourage, help and give hospitality to those undertaking this journey.But for these people, it's not enough. They use hospitality as a way to push their version of "The Truth". This morning coming down to the BRP from Punchbowl Shelter I see a green VW bus parked in the parking area. I think to myself: "I wonder if it's a little trail magic?". As I approach, the man in the driver's seat gets out and I think: "Oh man I hope they have some tea or coffee or something" since it's cold and lightly raining out. But no. This fellow is called "BA Disciple", and has been appearing in the registers of late. He chat's it up with me about the trail. Gives me his 'card' and inquires whether anyone else is coming down from Punchbowl today. The second guy moves in and asks me if I like to read on the trail and tries to get me to take a magazine called "Awake!" which is put out by the Jehovah's Witnesses, copies of whihc have been amassing in several shelters.So, it's bad enough on one hand to entivce me to breakfast and then sing christian songs and give me a New Testament (a terrible translation, mind you); but it's another thing entirely to be waiting - preying - on people coming down to a road crossing torying to "save" me as part of their "ministry" so that they can improve their chances of getting into "heaven". I'm simply sick of it. Just because there are a lot of people out walking a trail doesn't mean you can prey on them. Moreover, just because you hace found YOUR truth doesn't mean that it is MY truth, and it certainly doesn' tjustivy your trying to force it onto anyone.P.S. The truth is not found in books or through the answers of teachers but rather through our own experience."Anyway, in other cool news I saw a hummingbird at lunch!