Conversed with a Priest at the gas pumps..

Today while getting gas at a 7-11, I had a nice Volvo 242 pull up at the pump next to me.

I am a Volvo fan so I started admiring it. When out steps the occupant... a Priest.

Now seeing a priest at a gas station in the northern states might be more common, but here in Florida it's rare. Especially in full black with the collar.

We make Eye contact and I say Nice car to break the awkwardness of the moment, and he said "Thanks". We make small talk about Volvo's for a bit and I reminisce about the few I have loved and lost, then he asks what my bracelet is supporting.

I was raised Catholic and I was kinda hesitant to answer. I said " It's from a site I belong to Called ThinkAtheist.com". I braced for a preachy response but got this in return, " Well, good on ya for standing up for your beliefs... or lack thereof." with a grin

I Was in awe. All I could get out was a feeble "Thank you." And that was it, no more talk about religion. It was Awesome!

We continued talking about the cars as we paid. As he was getting into his car he said "God bl--...uh, have a nice day" with a smile and drove off.

Was he a real priest? I don't know, I didn't ask. He could have been heading to a costume party for all I know. There is a large Catholic church down the street.

I addressed him as "Father" out of respect, for the man, not the religion.

Lesson Learned? Volvo 242s are Awesome.

0 members like this

Comment by Nick on May 27, 2009 at 9:19pm: 'Good on ya' for this story.

Comment by Rev. James Thomas Hicks, D.D. on May 27, 2009 at 9:21pm: What a great day. That would have been awesome to experience.

Comment by Morgan Matthew on May 27, 2009 at 9:22pm: haha awesome! :]

Comment by Chelsea on May 27, 2009 at 10:15pm: And so are you...(awesome, that is)! ;)

Comment by Sniz on May 27, 2009 at 11:56pm: This is great! It reminds me of the priest that Bill Maher runs into at the Vatican in "Religulous." It is nice to be pleasantly surprised that not all christian leaders and psycho! If all christians were like him, I probably wouldn't have so much of an issue with religion.

Comment by Robert DeVore on May 28, 2009 at 1:17am: I agree with Sniz - too bad everyone who's religious doesn't act like this.

Cool story

Comment by Tasha on May 28, 2009 at 2:56am: That's really cool :)

Comment by Misty: Baytheist Living! on May 28, 2009 at 6:57am: Sweet!

Comment by Rich Meredith on May 28, 2009 at 7:16am: A pity it's such a rare thing in the south though I have to say I've met a few vicars back home who have been excellent conversationalists and quite receptive to alternative points of view.

Comment by Corey Lord on May 28, 2009 at 8:37am: I've actually found there are a lot of Catholic priests who aren't like the Evangelicals out there. Its nice and refreshing when they don't judge people for the beliefs ('or lack thereof') ;)

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