Evangelists on the Subway

I understand that evangelism is part of many sects of Christianity. Spreading the Word has been around as long as the religion itself.

But why’s this guy on subway gotta yell in my face about it? I get on the “A” train and there he is, the crack-to-Christ preacher, getting ready to tell us (or yell us, better said) about his transformative journey from the destructive drug to everlasting salvation. Except that this guy kind of acts like he didn’t really give up the former… he just brought Christianity into the act. So then he launches into it, all the way from 125th St. to 59th street, screaming in everybody’s face about how much he loves them now that he has been enveloped by the love of Jesus Christ. Now is the time to embrace Christianity, because YOU COULD DIE TOMORROW. The way he delivers that line seems to suggest you could die straight away. I’ll grant him this: having a huge man scream in your face that you could die any minute makes you think about it.

But what does this achieve?  Is anybody scared straight into the nearest church for some quick salvation? It’s obvious nobody there really appreciates it. Some people voice their discontent at being yelled at on their morning commute, to which he replies “you can hate me but I LOVE you, brother!”  If this is the love part, I’m sure as hell glad you don’t hate me. And if you manage to make everybody pissed off on their morning ride, how exactly is that going to inspire them to head to church on Sunday for the first time in five years?

What’s the efficacy rate on this?