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Why do they NOT GET IT????
- Mar 17, 2010 at 7:04 PM
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- Comments (20) Total Views (456) Everyone can see this journal post.
First of all. I mean no disrespect at all to anyone of any faith. My only issue is when people come to my door wanting to invite me to a service at their church, I politely decline and they insist on continuing with the invitation. Especially when they see my pentagram and Goddess pendant. They see I'm a Pagan.
I understand it is their mission/desire/obligation, however they choose to see it, to try and 'save' and 'spread the word' to as many people as possible. But if I don't believe the same thing they do, why must they strive to change my mind and come to their service. They say I might learn something and see the "true" message from God or Jesus. Often, I take whatever it is they are handing out and tell them I will give it to one of my Christian friends. That is not good enough. I must come too. But, I don't want to come.
For most people of a monotheistic faith, they do or do not go to church, yet have their beliefs and do NOT try to change the way another thinks. They may or may not pray for the soul of the individual who's beliefs are not of their own. Some might not even think much about it at all.
Instead of convincing me to change, why can they not understand and accept that there are other words of inspiration from other spiritual books? That it is not only the Bible people turn to for wisdom, strength, guidance and love. It may be a different book. For thousands and thousands of years, people from all cultures, before there was sea travel, before there were telephones, before there was the Internet, they all each had their own belief system.
I've written journals to try and explain my beliefs. The journal I wrote here on Cafemom was actually very well received and had many wonderful thoughtful comments on it.
I appreciate all belief systems. I say this all the time to visitors who have come to 'show me the right way'. When they refuse to leave after I have politely declined their invitation to their church, I use an analogy with them; Most of us are trying to climb the same mountain, but some of us take our own path. It doesn't mean it's wrong or right, it is what our heart and our soul believes to be the truth. We are individuals with free will. Is that not true?
I've even sent young gentlemen on their way with bottles of water because it's the middle of July, hot as can be and they are walking on foot wearing suits. Yet, I am a heathen and evil because I do not believe in their God and will be struck down by His hand on Judgement Day. I'm happy that they believe in their God so much that they want to share with others. I just don't believe the same as they do.
Sharing is one thing. Badgering, insulting and telling me I'm going to go to Hell is another.
Comments:
I DO understand this.
THAT is why I politely decline several times until they finally leave. But, as a human, with reason, how is it that they can not see it will be futile?
Thanks Becca. I appreciate your answer. (hugs)
I understand what you mean. I have had this happen to me, too.
Once, when I was doing laundry, this lady approached my car where I was reading while my clothes dried. She asked if I wanted to read about the word of god, and when I declined (politely), she froze as if she couldn't believe I had said no. For several seconds she just stood there, and then she asked me again, as if I had not understood her the first time. I politely declined a second time, and she blinked slowly for several seconds before asking me if I was sure, that god was good, did I not want to read about the word of god, was I sure? I assured her that I was sure, again politely, and she just stood there. Then she raises her hand, the one with the brochure she'd been holding, and thrusts it in my window and let's it go. "You're going to hell" she says, calmly, and walks away.
That whole incident really bothered me. This woman approached me, pushed her beliefs on me, and insulted and condemned me, despite my polite responses, all within a 45 second first time meeting. And I'm the heathen?
ETA- I should have clarified, when I was doing laundry at the laundromat... I didn't have a washer and dryer then.
Oh wow Guinhyvar, I don't know what I would have said in your situation. I can say I WOULD have said this or that but we are never really ready for nut jobs like that lady. Nehalennia, I know what you mean. I have only had a couple of pushy people at my door that try their hardest to get me to JUST come by their church. Most of the time I tell them I go to a Universal Unitarian Church they go about their business. But there are those days when I have had to just close the door and wait on them to leave.
My husband wants to go to the door in a towel and profess to being a nudist and see what they say about their invite. We are not nudist but my husband loves to mess with people like that LOLOL.
I just tell people that my relationship with God (or the Divine, or whatever word you want to use) is extremely personal and that it is between us only. I thank them for their concern, and then close the door on them. I don't let them get a word in edgewise. If they do, I repeat my original statement.
Nudist, lol. Sounds like something my husband would do too. :D
Jenna, I bet you did have a washer and dryer. I know you just wanted to hang at the laundromat
I always thank them for stopping by, tell them that I appreciate what they are doing and commend them for taking on such a difficult task. Then I assure them that while I would love to discuss religion with them until they are blue in the face, I am going to decline and send them on down the road... in the intrest of their work- because they are not going to change my views or enlighten me any further than I work towards enlightening myself and their time is best spent working towards saving another.
Most of the time they appreciate my honest answer while commending their work. They do it believing that they are making the world a better place.
My motto in life is: Always be strong and firm in your beliefs and respectful to those of others- you may learn something! I guess maybe I should try to fit in, DON'T PESTER! lol
I don't mind when anyone offers to share their faith with me, after all I figure I have nothing to loose to hear it, and everything to gain. HOWEVER. I find that these people are not interested in OFFERING to share their point of view, their personal spiritual path... they are interested in converting you, period. I get that some of them interpret their spiritual writings to mean that anyone who is not following their path is going to suffer eternally but... really?
Did their spiritual leader tell them they have to convert by force? That they have to badger and threaten a person? That they should shame them, and embaress them? That they should take stalking like lengths to ensure that this person is A) going to listen and therefor convert or B) Rot in eternal hell?
I don't think so... I agree with you. I wish that if this is something they HAVE to do, that they would just take a simple, polite- no thank you, and be on their way.
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The people that will come to your home and knock on the door generally feel that their salvation depends on asking you. So if you understand that it makes them more tolerable.
I don't think my salvation depends on any action. It depends on my faith. If you ever wanted to talk to me about it I would be happy to share. I understand it is God's job to convert you not mine.
- Rebeccalynn_dj
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