DeeKnow’s Grotto

We got onto the subject of religion yesterday, and as its Good Friday today it doesn't seems unreasonable to be sneaking in a little religious annecdote for the day

When I was travelling through Indonesia with Tess we would often be approached by what appearered to be nosy Indonesians who turned out to be interested folks who really just wanted to practise their language skills. On one such occasion I was cornered by this polite young man who began telling me about how devoted he was to Islam.

This wasn't unusual of course as a large chunk of the Indonesia population are Muslim, but what was awkward was when this guy asked me if I was Christian. He asked it in an obviously rhetorical fashion and I could tell that he was *expecting* me to say I was Christian and that my usual answer of "no I'm agnostic" clearly wasnt going to do.

In fact I was sure he wasnt even going to acknowledge such an answer, would probably be mortified, definately concerned for my soul, and probably offended coz the God I would be denying was his God also. I figured he would be quite happy with me fibbing and telling him I was a believer, so thats exactly what I did. Smiled and lied and excused myself when I next got the chance.

"What harm would it do, if a man told a good strong lie for the sake of the good and for the Christian church ... a lie out of necessity, a useful lie, a helpful lie, such lies would not be against God, he would accept them." – Martin Luther

10:47:26 PM