Intellectual Street Fight. teil eins, I got served.

I went to a local university gaming convention this weekend. Its actualy growing to be quite a large one. As you may have guessed, I am a gaming nerd...not the computer type, you know...pencil and paper gaming...like Dungeons and Dragons. The convention also boasts a large variety of exhibitors (people selling stuff) all kinds of games, round table discussions about the future of Role Playing, War Games and the like and even a really good independant film festival.
What it also has, strange as it may seem, is a group of Christian Gamers in the throes of an outreach to the unchurched gaming masses.
It was these people whom I encountered on my way out of the building to the parking lot this evening.
I had seen some of them walking around with a sign that read "fill out a survey and win free food and prizes." they are not allowed to solicit so this is what they do. I did not want their free food or prizes...but I do like filling out surveys. This one took the form of answers that were to be rated from very much agree to very much disagree. The questions were meant to be simple, but leading. However, they were NOT simple questions at all.
To warm up, they get your contact info, for later mailings of invites to church etc. I only gave them my email address and my name. Then the questions began. These firstly took the form of simple things such as "are you searching for meaning in your life?" and "do you believe in God or a higher power". They got more muddy as they went along. To be fair, I dont imagine that most people would find questions like "do you believe that god punishes us for our misdeeds?" and "Do you believe that we can know God?" very muddy or complex. I, however, do. I have a BA in Theology/missions and Pastoral Counciling and a Masters of Divinity...but I am not a Christian. So, I answered the questions and included footnotes deliniateing my caviats to their questions. A person, whom I can only imagine is the "Leader", noticed that I was taking my time with the questions and asked me about it. I told him that they were not all simple questions and explained my caviats. He remarked that he recognised me from last years con and asked me if I would be interested in participating in a Christian Gaming Club. I told him that I thought that this would be a bad idea. He asked why and I evaded...not wanting to bandy about my religious possitions in public and get into an argument right there. However, he percieved my reluctence as a lack of conviction in my own beliefs as well as figureing out that I have a brand x religion. So, with a sly look on his face he said "would you like to meet for lunch and discuss spritual matters? My treat." I remarked that I would love to do so, but would pay for my own lunch. I asked him when would be a good day, and told him that Thursday was my best day. I told him to email me when it would be a good time and we could make an appointment to have lunch. I then bid him and his cohort a good evening and left for home.
It will be interesting to see what happens. The survey had a space where one could list ones place of worship. I listed the religious group that I am head of. We have a website. I will find it interesting to see if, firstly he actually makes an apointment for luch and secondly to see if he has read our web page by the time we actually have lunch.
Do not worry dear reader. I shall keep you posted here.