biking missionaries nearly meet God.

[kenyonchris]

I was on patrol last night (in the car, it has done nothing but rain here for the past four days) going down our major road, a 45 mph six lane with center turn lane, when I saw our big ladder truck barreling down the road, coming toward me. I pulled the patrol car over and sat there to make sure it got through the three lights without anyone doing anything dumb. It's lights activate the opticom, which makes the lights stay green for it. So I am watching it head toward me and saw, incredibly, two bikes, all in black, no reflectives, pedal across the road in front of it. I only saw them for a moment, outlined in the light of the fire truck. I couldn't believe it. I went flying down the road to catch them, and got caught in the wake of the changing lights, and wound up not catching them until they were almost home. I pulled them over and totally chewed them out. The older one (they were about 18) actually told me that they had crossed with the light BEHIND the fire truck. Not possible, since the only way I saw them was in the light of the truck, and if the light had been green for them, it would have been red for the truck, and that doesn't happen when the emergency lights are on.
Missionaries! Lying to the police! What is the world coming to!

[channlluv]

If they didn't have the fear of God put into them before, I'll bet they do now, Chris, reaming them out like that. Ha! I hope they got the message. They're lucky.

I might go so far as to contact their missionary coordinator and report the unsafe riding, maybe require them to take a bicycle safety class. Did you give them a ticket?

Roxy

[OakLeaf]

maybe require them to take a bicycle safety class.

Honestly, if there are any LDS or JW people on here who could suggest that, that would be a great idea on a national level. Those kids are consistently some of the most unsafe riders I ever see. Riding on sidewalks, sometimes no helmets, hugging the curb when they are on the road.

[kenyonchris]

Besides the fact that they were black or dark colors, ride black bikes, with black helmets and black shoes. Surely God would not object to a little blaze orange in the name of bike safety.

On another note, I was running to a suicidal person, not running code but booking it along nevertheless when I nearly tagged a guy running (no reflective attire AT ALL) on the roadway (4 lanes divided, 40 mph) when our beautiful hike/bike trail was four feet to the left. This is actually a crime (walking on roadway when sidewalk provided is the offense). I would have stopped if I hadn't been enroute to a call. Some people have no idea.

[Cataboo]

Besides the fact that they were black or dark colors, ride black bikes, with black helmets and black shoes. Surely God would not object to a little blaze orange in the name of bike safety.


But they have those white button up shirts!

[kenyonchris]

Even white button up shirts would have been better. These guys had black sweaters on, just the white collar peeking out. And it was like 85 degrees out (I am still in my shorts). What is UP?

[shootingstar]

This is what missionaries of a certain denomination wear, --all black?

I'm only familiar with traditional Mennonite and Amish men who dress like that.

I'm lost.:confused: But it's ok.

[Eden]

This is what missionaries of a certain denomination wear, --all black?

I'm only familiar with traditional Mennonite and Amish men who dress like that.

I'm lost.:confused: But it's ok.

I believe Chris is talking about coming across some young Mormons - they don't necessarily dress like that all of the time, but when they are teens/young adults they get sent on missions and they do at that time wear black pants and white button down shirts with ties and generally travel in pairs. I have seen some sweaterless - scandalous?

[Cataboo]

This is what missionaries of a certain denomination wear, --all black?

I'm only familiar with traditional Mennonite and Amish men who dress like that.

I'm lost.:confused: But it's ok.

maybe they don't have them in Canada, but here in the US, mormon missionaries are usually 2 young guys biking together going door to door to hand out pamphlets... they usually are wearing dark dress pants, white button up shirts, ties, sweaters and or jackets. they are pretty common. and tend to make me not open the front door.

[shootingstar]

maybe they don't have them in Canada, but here in the US, mormon missionaries are usually 2 young guys biking together going door to door to hand out pamphlets... they usually are wearing dark dress pants, white button up shirts, ties, sweaters and or jackets. they are pretty common. and tend to make me not open the front door.

Only JH guys in pairs and I've never seen them on bikes --yet. But then I've lived in highly urban areas and in highrise buildings where we have 24 hr. security.

[salsabike]

Love the thread title.

[Trek420]

Love the thread title.

Can we fit it into "thread titles free verse"? ;)

[bmccasland]

Seen the LDS missionaries too, fortunately our swealtering weather keeps them from covering up their white shirts. But it's pretty dang hot in TX, so no telling why they were wearing sweaters. I think part of the problem is the young adult "immortality" thing - missionaries or no, somehow they think they're immortal, and traffic laws exist only for cars. Seems to me the LDS church needs to really push bicycle safety, since that's the mode of transportation that is commonly used by their kids "on mission." To my knowledge, said mission is funded by their families and not by the church. They don't do well obeying traffic laws around here either. And goth black is the color of choice.

I've come close to hitting two runners on my way to work this week in the pre-dawn darkness. Both runners were wearing dark clothes and the only thing reflective were their shoes. One was while I was stopped at a stop sign - I thought I saw something move just as I was starting to roll out (she hadn't crossed in front of my headlights yet); and the second ran across in front of me to reach the levee. If you're going to run before the sun comes up, how about wearing a reflective T-shirt, belt, hat, safety vest, soemthing????

[smilingcat]

Ohh I couldn't resist.

IGNORANCE IS BLISS.

or should it be CLUELESS!! or maybe its both. shaking my head...

Maybe someone needs to go to a craft store and buy a case of glitter and glitter up their bike and glitter their trousers. (even spell something out on the seat of their pants. :p :eek:) Maybe all that glitter will make them more visible.

[Sadie]

I live in Utah and those guys are everywhere and they should know better. I agree they shoudl be taught some biking safety...report them to their mission president!

[kenyonchris]

I was vacuuming the dog hair (a monumental task) from the back of my SUV when two of these guys came up and offered to help. Never one to refuse a young vacuumer, I let them. One told me about God, while the other worked on mastiff hair. I listened attentively, at the end said, "Bless you, my son" and thanked the guy who did a commendable job of getting the hair out of the car. I left him trying to get the two tons of blond dog hair off his black pants and sweater.

[Tuckervill]

There's a pair currently working my town. I see them everywhere on their bikes. They wear helmets and I've never seen them on the sidewalk. I've never seen them wearing anything other than a white shirt and black pants, either. I don't think it's scandalous to wear just the shirt.

I did see one of them with a flat recently, walking his bike, and I would have offered to help them out, but I didn't really have time to talk.

Karen

[Trek420]

I left him trying to get the two tons of blond dog hair off his black pants and sweater.

Oh you are tricky and going straight to he)) for that :p I'll see you there so shall I bring the pitcher of margaritas or you wanna?

It'll be hot, we should have plenty of cold beverages. :p ;) :rolleyes:

[kenyonchris]

Oh you are tricky and going straight to he)) for that :p I'll see you there so shall I bring the pitcher of margaritas or you wanna?

It'll be hot, we should have plenty of cold beverages. :p ;) :rolleyes:

Yes, I think I have a condo there for taking a guy to jail on the way to his mother's funeral. I didn't believe him....he was wearing a t-shirt and jeans...until I searched the car after arresting him and finding the program!!!
STRAIGHT to He11!

[Trek420]

Well, sad to say if you arrested him he was probably doing something his mother would not have been proud of. :o

[kenyonchris]

Well, sad to say if you arrested him he was probably doing something his mother would not have been proud of. :o

Mmm. Yeah. It was on traffic warrants. I could have let him go...would have if I had believed him. I took him to jail for $300 in warrants on his mother's funeral day. Even the guys think it was cold.

[Crankin]

After living in AZ for many years, I know the missionary tactics...
One day, when my youngest was a senior in HS, he spied a guy in dark pants and a white button down shirt approaching our door. Thinking it was a Mormon, he stripped down to his boxers to play a joke on them and make them think we were heathens. Much to his dismay, it was James Eldridge, a very nice young man, running for state rep. We told him why our son was running around half naked, like a crazy guy and he took it in stride.
The last time LDS missionaries rang my bell, I pointed to the mezzuzah on the doorpost and told them that "if you see one of these, it means the people are Jewish and you probably won't make a sale."

[LaFemmeFlora]

The LDS church is aparently right at the end of neighborhood. We just moved in this summer, and I think they have stopped by our house half a dozen times already.
Yesterday I went out to get the mail and two boys approached me on foot. Usually they just want to bring you the Word...so I told them my beliefs and thought that would be it. They half offered to bribe me into coming to their church. They offered to come clean out my garage for me...since the garage door was open they could see my mess of empty cardboard moving boxes and stacks of laundry.
The little devil on my shoulder was telling me to take them up on the offer! :D

[Flybye]

I live in Idaho - the town I am in is 75% LDS. In my graduating class of 200, 10 of us were not LDS. Guess I am just not up to par :rolleyes:

They don't always wear black, just on their missions....:eek::eek::eek:

http://store.mormonsexposed.com/2010-mission-calendar-p-1.html

http://store.mormonsexposed.com/2010-mormon-muffins-taste-motherhood-calendar-p-2.html

In their church's defense, I think that the calendar men and women have for the most part, been excommunicated. :confused:

Anyhow, I have almost hit missionaries on more than one occasion. I agree something needs to be done about the black.

[Zen]

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/LOLCat-mindlessDogma.jpg

[kenyonchris]

In all fairness, I had to go into the LDS church on a 911 hang-up. We have to respond, but almost always a simple hangup is just a misdial. The call came from the lobby phone and we had no other calls or reasons to be concern. When I went it, I was greeted by the quietest, nicest, conservative group of people...it was refreshing after the Church-in-the-box next door with their rock band and coffee shop and big screens. They were very polite and helpful and grateful that I had arrived to check on them (there was no emergency, their phone is equipped with the emergency button that is the bane of our existence). I was not subjected to the spiel I anticipated based on my experience with the missionaries, just wished a blessed, safe day.

I just wish they would bike in something other than black.

[OakLeaf]

My dad, who studied theology and still has a deep interest in it, used to invite the missionaries in and debate Scripture with them until their heads exploded. :p

[Crankin]

Oakleaf, that cracked me up. I have a vision of the angel Maroni with an exploding head (people in the SW know what I mean).
I am sorry if this offends anyone. I just dislike any religion that proselytizes and treats the women like cr@p. Plus, it took me 7 years just to get an interview in the Mesa Schools because my last name wasn't Dobson, Hobson, or Robson.

OK, no more. I am so glad that I mostly don''t have to deal with any missionaries anymore.

[oxysback]

Oakleaf, that cracked me up. I have a vision of the angel Maroni with an exploding head (people in the SW know what I mean).
I am sorry if this offends anyone. I just dislike any religion that proselytizes and treats the women like cr@p. Plus, it took me 7 years just to get an interview in the Mesa Schools because my last name wasn't Dobson, Hobson, or Robson.

OK, no more. I am so glad that I mostly don''t have to deal with any missionaries anymore.

I've followed this thread with amusement and interest because I'm LDS. I do have to take exception to a few points in your post, Crankin. I respect your right to dislike any religion you want....it's no skin off my nose. You don't like missionaries...ok, whatever...your choice.

However, I can personally tell you that, in general, women are not treated like crap in the LDS church. Certainly there are bad apples in any religious organization, but as a whole, women are treated like daughters of God, which we are.

Secondly, I don't know anyone with the last names of Dobson, Hobson, or Robson. (Maybe it's a local thing? I don't know.)

[Eden]

In all fairness, I had to go into the LDS church on a 911 hang-up. We have to respond, but almost always a simple hangup is just a misdial.

That's a bummer - our 911 operators can call you back, so they don't have to show up at your door. We have a phone with those big auto dial buttons at the top. Once I dropped the phone receiver and in catching grasped at least one. I was really hoping I'd managed to hit the hang up button quick enough.... but they called me back and asked if everything was OK and I had to fess up. At least I'm not the person who had the tomato dial 911 while they were away on vacation.

[Crankin]

Oxsback, I am sorry I offended you, but what you are saying about women certainly does not match with my experience in Mesa. I could tell you a lot of things, but I won't.
Again, I am sorry.

[deeaimond]

Some of these young people don't just have to do missionary work in the US, we get many many of them out here in Singapore too! usually in the US summer hols. I feel sorry for them, dressed in their white shirts and pants in this super humid heat trying to catch hold of the asian people in public places
(here its against the law to bring religion door to door, in fact if u annoy someone enough in a public place and they call the police you can get in trouble). Sometimes people don't even really understand what they say coz of the lack of english or strong accents...

To be honest I also give them a wide berth, simply because they are generally very polite about their evangelizing and I don't want to be rude. I just wanna save them from one less rejection a day...

oh, recently a couple here was sentenced to jail for inciting racial hatred.

their crime? -they desseminated booklets about Christianity to some household mailboxes. These contained phrases that condemned other religions. Some people of other beliefs complained and the booklets were traced to this couple. They were successful professionals too!

[Cataboo]

One more aspect of American culture that we export to the rest of the world. As an american, I apologize for it. (Nothing against mormons, just against missionaries in general, and yes, I know that there's missionaries from other countries and that many missionaries do a lot of good while they're trying to get converts)

[deeaimond]

One more aspect of American culture that we export to the rest of the world. As an american, I apologize for it. (Nothing against mormons, just against missionaries in general, and yes, I know that there's missionaries from other countries and that many missionaries do a lot of good while they're trying to get converts)

Oh silly, no need to apologise, christianity was brought here way before americans started... european missionaries, spanish, english.. all came here before the americans. :D

i just feel sorry for the poor mormon boys. must be such a culture shock for them. coming out of middle America (an assumption) I just hope they gain insight into different cultures while they're here to broaden up their perspectives.

[babynoahsmom]

Oh silly, no need to apologise, christianity was brought here way before americans started... european missionaries, spanish, english.. all came here before the americans. :D

i just feel sorry for the poor mormon boys. must be such a culture shock for them. coming out of middle America (an assumption) I just hope they gain insight into different cultures while they're here to broaden up their perspectives.As this is supposed to be a cycling thread....We too have them in Arkansas. We actually have a Morman church? in our small town. I see the boys cycling also. I agree that they should be required to take a bike safety course. They seem clueless as to how close they come to getting killed sometimes. They should also be made to take a Redneck avoidance course if they are going to send them to our state. (lol) I feel sorry for them too and try to remember that they are some mother's son.

[skhill]

My brother's boyfriend grew up Mormon and did a mission, and it was a great experience for him. The missionary part of things he didn't much care for, and he soon afterwards left the mormons, but there's no other way a kid from Hickville KY would have gotten to spend a year in Montreal. He came back fluent in Quebecois, and with a passion for travel. But he hasn't been on a bike since....

Anyway, I find the Mormon missionaries to be a lot more polite and friendly than most of the other missionaries who go door to door in my neighborhood. And they're easier to get rid of than some of the others. I'd rather deal with them than the Southern Baptists who also come through. Also, they're among the few bike riders wearing helmets in my neighborhood, so they can't be all bad.