gave everyone in our family a nail with a red bow tied around it to signify jesus and remind us that he died for our sins. When they gave us this gift at christmas, they saved them so we could all open them at the same time. We are all atheists except for the aunt and uncle, we were all speechless and simply stammered out some half hearted thank yous before setting them aside. We celebrate christmas as a time to get together, jesus and anything religious does not enter into the celebration, as we do not recognize god. Do you think it was rude of them to give those as gifts.
2006-08-02 14:03:41 · 17 answers · asked by ? 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I assume they are aware you are atheists. Yes.
We never bring up religion at Christmas. Everyone gets together and we have a good time. Grampa does get to pray before we eat. Everyone is happy.
Concerning Paul S and his comment I was going to tell you to wrap a red ribbon around "The Origin of Species" before giving it to them.... and now I have.
2006-08-02 14:08:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would guess they knew you are an atheist...then yes it was very rude and unthoughtful. The purpose of giving a gift is to be nice and get the person something they will appreciate; gifts should be something thoughtful...not an attempt to convert.
I like Ashley's idea...It wouldn't be necessarily right to be rude in return...but maybe slip a Darwin fish in when you exchange gifts next time...it might help get the point across that you'd appreciate they not give you religious gifts.
2006-08-02 14:14:59 · answer #2 · answered by laetusatheos 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they had good intentions or at least they thought they were doing something good and had your best interest at heart. Though, personally I think it was inappropriate. There are better ways to mention the celebration of Jesus' birth.
I think you and your family were awesome in the way you handled the situation. I hope you still speak with the aunt and uncle - it would be awful to lose a family connection over something like this.
2006-08-03 18:28:42 · answer #3 · answered by Christmas Fan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do consider that rude, especially if they're aware that you are atheists. There are good and bad ways to go about evangelizing, and that seems like quite an adequate example of a bad way to do it.
I am an evangelical Christian and I understand the desire to share "the good news" with other people, but I also recognize that there are limits that we should respect. Winning the heart is not our job, nor are we responsible for anyone's salvation. We're only supposed to share our experiences and knowledge with those who wish to hear it. Giving a gift like that to an atheist ist more detrimental than simply doing nothing.
Maybe they're not aware that it's really rather inappropriate. I hope you can broach this subject politely yet firmly with them and discuss this like adults...good luck with it!
2006-08-02 14:14:51 · answer #4 · answered by amberaewmu 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am of The Christian Faith and very leaning to the fundamental side... But that was rude... they know the positons of those who recieved the "gifts'... That is not how spreading The Good News is to be done... But they are from a groupthat thinks differently on the subject... if this is a recuring thing then just be blunt with them.. It is the only way they will get the point... but then too... I am sure you do not want to hurt them either... Good luck figguring out a diplomatic solution.... Oh, and by the way, since we are on the subject... Want to Join up? :-) :-)
2006-08-02 14:11:41 · answer #5 · answered by IdahoMike 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They were just doing what they thought was right, even if it WAS insulting or rude.
I assume they know you're an Atheist, so I also assume that they're just closed-minded people who can only see less than a foot away from their comfort zone and believe their path is the only one, and as such, they believe you'll be going to hell.
By giving you a gift one would give Christians, they believe it will help you 'love Jesus' or find the 'one true' God... Rude yes, but at least you know they're looking out for your 'immortal soul'. -_-;
2006-08-02 14:11:42 · answer #6 · answered by Natasha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess they thought they were doing good for y'all--bringing you the message of Jesus, after all, and on "his day." Personally, I got the same thing from my Evangelical aunt and uncle, and my first reaction was, "Wouldn't this be better for Easter?" I mean, I don't believe anymore, but I do think I remembered something from Vacation Bible School!
Treat it like any other gift you don't intend to use, like a hideous sweater or something.
2006-08-02 14:09:45 · answer #7 · answered by GreenEyedLilo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a sweet gift!! You're the one at fault here, not them. They love you and want to share their joy with you. I'm not saying they did it the right way, but it's the thought that counts. So what.....you were expecting big expensive gifts and only got a sincere, from-the-heart gift?? Oh poor thing. They know you all are atheists, but love you anyway! How great is that??????
2006-08-02 14:30:12 · answer #8 · answered by married_so_leave_me_alone1999 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
out of your checklist, Evangelicals, Catholics, Methodists and Charismatics are all genuine Christians. Mormons and JW at the instant are not. Mormons have self assurance that the e book of Mormon and a couple of others are divinely inspired and JW's don't think interior the trinity. those info DQ's them and classifies them as sects or cults. because of this actuality i will't vote for or help Jon Huntsman and Mitt Romney as the two are Mormons.
2016-10-01 10:02:33 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Next year, why not give your Aunt and Uncle a test tube full of pond water with a red ribbon around it.
Turn about is fair play.
2006-08-02 14:08:58 · answer #10 · answered by Paul S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋