She keeps on trying to get me to come to her church. I am a Wiccan so I told her no. She keeps on asking me everyday, and she starts saying things like "But God loves you!" and "You can have two religions!". I try to just ignore her comments. I have tried to stop talking to her, but she keeps on coming up to me. I can't politely tell her to go away because she won't listen (i've already tried that). I don't want to be mean because hurting her feelings , to me, is a breach of the Rede (An it harm none do what ye will). What should I do? Is she trying to convert me?
2006-09-23 16:20:42 · 19 answers · asked by Seeker 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I went once and I sat in the back and read a book just to shut her up for a couple of weeks... It didn't work. She got mad at me because I wasn't paying attention.
2006-09-23 16:27:32 · update #1
I can't do a "switch-a-roo" because i wouldn't be letting her "live and let live". thats from the rede
2006-09-23 16:32:08 · update #2
I had never thought about inviting an "outsider" to a circle. It is a very good idea! maybe I will try it!
2006-09-23 16:34:41 · update #3
Yes, she's trying to convert you. Agree to go to church with her if she'll participate in some of your religious rituals first. Tell her you don't think it's fair for her to ask you to do that which she isn't willing to do.
If she still persists after that, just be rude. You're the only one holding yourself accountable to the Rede. It's more of a suggestion than a commandment.
2006-09-23 16:46:30 · answer #1 · answered by lenny 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I am a Chriatian and I do not try to force my believes on anyone but I will share them with anyone who is open to listen. I can give you a little bit of advise just as far as what I am reading ..first of all being truthful is ALWAYS best...if you have to be a little assertive to get her to listen and understand then do so, it is better than losing a friend over it, this "Rede" you are talking about I believe means to not intentionally harm someone and I am sure you can find some tactful way to tell the truth without hurting feelings( how about reminding your friend that God also gave you a free will /maybe you can tell her that you have listened to and understand the gospel and that you are not ready to accept it. To answer your question is she trying to convert you ...yes in a sense but you must understand it is out of love that we try to "convert" its not some kind of compatition to see how many converts we can get..I can tell you this honestly I care about your eternity and I do not even know you, but I still care why? because I love people. I have to ask have you ever really listened to and understood the gospel? Are you afraid like I was that you can never have a "good time" if your Christian...do you look at it as a bunch of rules that are set up to follow?..well seems to me you are already bound by rules to live a "good life" but did you know that we can not be "good"? I had an abortion...I was addicted to drugs, was an alcoholic and I was addicted to sex all before I was 19 years old..do I deserve to go to hell...YES...do I have to ? NO ...why ? Because Jesus lived a clean life that I could not and took my place on the cross. I once believed "being a good person" saved me and made me acceptable to God..but I have come to realise I have become acceptable to God not by what I have done, but because what Jesus did. By the way your friend is wrong ..you can not serve two masters you will love one and despise the other so you can not have two religions.
2006-09-23 18:27:26 · answer #2 · answered by candi_k7 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yea, she is trying to convert you. Just come right out and say I know you really believe in your religion & are happy with it & you want me to go to your church because you think that I will feel the same way, but I have my own religion that I'm happy with, so I'm not interested. Ask her to please stop asking you, tell her it's putting a "damper" on your relationship & her always bugging you about it makes your friendship not so fun anymore. If she don't stop bothering you, do a switch-a-roo & pester her to switch to your beliefs... maybe she'll get the hint. But, you could also be open-minded & just try going to her church once & see what she's talking about. Make a deal with her, tell her you will go to her church with her once, only if after that she stops trying to convince you to keep going. Tell her if you're interested, you'll let her know, if not, than she needs to leave you alone about it, you tried it like she asked and you made your decision.
2006-09-23 16:29:02 · answer #3 · answered by tanner 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This sounds like she's using religion as a way to get close to you because she doesn't know any other way to do so. It's not uncommon, and later in life, unless she learns some other skills, it will create a real chasm between her and her peers.
There are some things to try, but they may be too subtle for her to get it:
1) Ask her things about herself: Her family, her best vacation, the things she likes to do, to eat, to listen to. Even ask her about what it is about her church she likes so much. Go into a LOT of detail and take your time listening. In this way, she'll be letting you get closer, and the urge to drag you off to a church service may diminish.
2) Tell her you would love to hear about the church, but only for a specific amount of time each day. Set up an appointment, and for 5 minutes you agree to listen to things about the church. Set your watch to go off after 5 minutes, then tell her if she has other things to say, she can say them tomorrow. Do not respond, only listen politely. Once the 5 minutes is up, you can talk about something else that interests you both. Spend at least 10 minutes discussing this. When she tries to discuss the church, remind her about her appointed time.
These are two possible scenarios. Others are also possible. I wish you luck.
.
2006-09-23 17:25:29 · answer #4 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Be direct with her and tell her you have your religion and she has hers and let it be. If she can't go for that then tell her you can no longer be around her if she is going to keep trying to convert you. It isn't going against the rede to stand up for yourself. going to church with her just because really would put you in a very uncomfortable spot as undoubtable she has told others about you and they would be trying to convert you in droves.
I had someone at my workplace try and convert me and I finally ended the friendship as he would not respect my choice of religion.
Its all about respect. If they won't respect your choices then you do not have a duty stay around them just out of politeness.
2006-09-23 16:39:45 · answer #5 · answered by Sage Bluestorm 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tell her that if she does not stop asking, you can no longer be friends with her. Explain to her that you already have a religion that you enjoy practicing, and do not need another. If she is really your friend, she will understand and back off. If she does it again, say that you can't take it anymore and will not speak with her anymore.
2006-09-23 16:26:58 · answer #6 · answered by wsxuyhb;iyfoutf 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps she is. My agnostic or so sister sometimes goes to church (on a friday night no less) with her friend, but its not as though her friend is trying to convet her. And apparently my sister thinks its okay.
The whole shouting "God loves you" sounds a bit off kilter to me, unless she's saying it sarcastically. If you've enjoyed your relationship with her enough, you should probably talk to her. Explain flat out that you aren't a Christian, that you are happy with your religion, and you would be happy if she would respect your choices as you respect hers. If the problem continues, then she obviously doesn't respect your decisions, and you'd probably be better off without her as a friend.
2006-09-23 16:28:58 · answer #7 · answered by millancad 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Tell her that religion is a subject that you no longer care to discuss with her. All relationships have some type of boundaries, it sounds like you are going to have to make yours clear with her. You can do this without being mean.
Blessings )O(
2006-09-23 17:11:10 · answer #8 · answered by Epona Willow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Christian and I know what it is like to have one who is well meaning but pushy to try to convert me....before I came to be born again I had this trouble too.....
but she said to you that you can have 2 religions...and that is not so as far as being a Christian is concerned.....one cant serve God and then have another on the side so to speak.... that is not giving their life to God.completely...that is like having ones cake and eating it too...bad example but I know you get my meaning.........
so maybe you could tell her that and she would back off some...
tell her that in her religion she cant have more than one religion and that you aren't ready to give up yours ....
But I do understand where she is coming from...because Jesus does love you and He did die for you too.....
2006-09-23 16:35:19 · answer #9 · answered by shiningon 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yeah, she is trying to convert you, and she is either lying or completely unaware that Christianity dictates that you only worship Father / Son / Holy Ghost.
You need to be frank with her. Tell her that you value your friendship (if that is true) but that you do not believe as she does and that you consider it a violation for her to constantly challenge your faith. You should explain to her why you chose Wicca and, if she persists, explain what it is about Christianity that does not work for you. Faith is a very personal matter, and I personally find it very presumptios for anyone to tell me how the Divine intends to reach out to me or anyone else.
Have you invited her to Circle? Just a thought. It migt help.
Bright blessings!
2006-09-23 16:31:15 · answer #10 · answered by ZombieTrix 2012 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋