Dear Christian

May 13, 2014

Hi, I got your letter last week and have been giving a lot of thought as to whether or not we should write each other. My primary concern is that I will end up offending you, maybe even hurting your feelings, at some point – never by intention, but merely because my views stand in such stark contrast to your beliefs. If I am honest with you then I would not have many nice things to say, and being dishonest is offense to me (and for me).

So, I must be honest and up front now, before one of us gets more hurt or offended later: I don’t think we should correspond at all. I won’t go into all the reasons why I have come to this understanding; that itself could be offensive. But, I will say that the Christian tracts you had sent to me were a clear indication that you have no intention of communicating, but are only interested in the typical one way exchange commonly called preaching. I don’t advocate or condone (and avoid practicing at all cost) preaching in any form. I admit, I preached in the past, that is what my crimes were all about; trying to tell the world how I saw it without considering other people’s viewpoints.

But now I focus on other people’s views – they have become very important to me since I realized that none of my experiences in this life were about me at all – they were about us, and without us, there is no me. But I cannot get to know a person’s views (nobody can) unless that person is able to share their view in an open two-way communicative form. And while you have responded on the surface to my past letters, the tracts you sent, and the things you have said in your letters since, are clearly lacking any effort (or perhaps even lacking ability) to communicate in two directions. So we should not write – as in my view it would only result in miscommunication (as I am sure even this letter will fail to be understood, as you will no doubt only “hear” what you are able or willing to hear, and not what I am really even saying).

So, please do not respond, unless you want to offer a confirmation of this letter (which should be polite), or, unless you think I am sorely mistaken; which I may well be, and am willing to admit, if I see any evidence at all that indicates I am. I do not want to shun you as a possible friend, so if you think I am wrong, then please tell me why, and I will keep my heart open for deeper understanding.

But, if you still think that I am a horrible sinner (i.e. monster) that “needs to be saved” then please don’t bother trying to be my friend – I’ve found my savior many years ago, and He doesn’t live in (or speak through) any book, or even my mind (or imagination) – but he lives in (and speaks through) my heart, as he is doing now if you could only hear.

Good luck to you, and take care,

Sincerely yours,

Jet