She asked me how my day was and I told her it did not go well, she started praying out loud on the sidewalk in front of people. She's a big person and I'm just little and she really had a grip on me.
She leaves me notes on my car windshield,in mailbox,re: praying,sends me little Christian gifts.
She is a really nice person and I don't want to be too abrupt, but must stop her from doing this as I am now trying to sneak away from my house without her seeing me..It's getting me all stressed out. I honestly don't know what to say, I have told her that I'm Atheist, she doesn't care..guess she's trying to save me...What would you do???
2006-11-09 08:11:28 · 17 answers · asked by gemma 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I am a Christian - formerly married to a Wiccan - with friends of every social and spiritual bent.
Obviously you understand that this person is doing what she feels is right, she is trying to help you in the way that she knows how.
But it isn't working out the way she thinks it should.
I feel badly because these very aggressive Christians usually just give people who already think Christians are nutty even more reason to believe it is true.
I would tell her, "you know Linda (or what ever her name is) I really appreciate how much concern you have for me, and although I like having you for a neighbor, I feel really awkward being overwhelmed by all this attention. If you would like to pray for me in private - I can't stop you, but I am really uncomfortable with it in public. Can we please just agree to disagree on this topic and still be neighborly?"
Christians feel it is their spiritual duty to win people over for the kingdon of heaven. Certainly she means you no harm, and in her heart she feels like she is offering you a very valuable gift. But she might not realize she is doing more harm for the name of Christianity than good with her tactics.
Hope you can work it out, it is always nicer to get along with neighbors than hiding from the wackos next door.
2006-11-09 08:38:23 · answer #1 · answered by alidansma 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
She really does not have the right to touch you, or hold on to you. You will have to tell her, and try to be as nice as you can.Just thank her, and tell the truth, she makes you late for work and appointments, and you find yourself sneaking around your own yard trying not to be late. And tell her nicely about your right not to be held onto. If she could just pray in private for you, that would be appreciated by you. Just say that you know she is a nice person, and otherwise a good neighbor, and you do not want to ruin that good neitghbor relationship.
If she gets hateful, have an answer ready, like one of these: I tried to be nice, and get along with you, I am sorry you can't see that. Or, do you know that every religion on earth thinks that if you do not belong to their church, you will go to hell. Sorry, I can't belong to them all. Or, I would love to talk with you sometimes, but we need to find another topic besides my salvation.
If she is a fundamentalist, or of a certain other religion that knocks on strangers doors, she will not be wanting to talk to you anymore, because non-believers are devils. And your problems will be solved.
Good luck.
2006-11-09 10:43:51 · answer #2 · answered by riversconfluence 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In her own way she's trying to be kind. (At least I think so, unless she's just trying to overwhelm you with "Christian kindness" so you will be "inspired" to join her religion.) I'd just say, "Really, you shouldn't have. I'm all right, really I am. You don't need to worry about me." Only if it became really excessive would I return the gifts to her, saying, "I appreciate the thought, but I'm not a Christian. Perhaps you can think of a Christian who needs this more than I."
2006-11-09 08:40:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ha She is a bit zealous I am a Christian and I may well pray for you but I wouldn't make a point to drag you physically into it or embarrass you in public. All you an do is talk to her and explain your feelings she should refrain from making a spectacle of wanting you to be saved. Explain to her that God hears her prayers and she doesn't need the rest of us to hear them.
2006-11-09 08:19:05 · answer #4 · answered by djmantx 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Tell her that you appreciate her concern for the salvation of your soul but you would appreciate it if she prayed for you privately, bring up a verse in the bible like whats that one verse, something about God prefers for his children to pray in private and wash their face after they mourn as if nothing happned, he does not like those that pray aloud as the pagans do. Im wiccan but I know the bible lol anyways you can also say to her, "blessed be." and drive off. Goddess will bless her with good karma for her intent and you dont have to sit there and listen to her bantering. She seems nice, tho but kind of a fanatic too.
2006-11-09 08:16:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
it sounds like she has genuine care/concern for you...still, that doesn't make it any more comfortable for you...
i am also an atheist, and in the past when people have said "ill pray for you" etc...i have just said thanks and took it as a caring gesture....
however this woman really sounds over the top and i'd probably be hiding from her too....
i think you really need to set a boundry with her...you need to tell her straight up..."i have different spiritual beliefs than you and you are making me really uncomfortable...i'd hate to lose such a great relationship with such a caring person over it...so please keep your prayers and notes to yourself..."
2006-11-09 09:25:27 · answer #6 · answered by SNAP! 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
in case you purely purely went upstairs and informed them that they are being too loud, that would want to kill the mood immediately away. that honestly befell to me once and enable me inform you....it took about some weeks to experience 0.5 way smooth to "do it" again. Even after that aspect handed, i replaced right into somewhat extra quiet.
2016-11-28 23:27:56 · answer #7 · answered by rieck 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just tell her that you appreciate her prayers and say that she needs to tone it down a little. Be upfront in a kind way.
2006-11-09 08:15:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
ask god maybe she can help
tell her her prayers for you confirm the reason why you are an athiest ,cause its the truth you are judging all by her deeds
its these people who presume you to be a sinner despite your saying you dont believe,
its the presumption /implication that your non belief makes you evil and her claimed belief makes her pure
you cant change that but know you dont want to go to that place anyway ,but you are basiclly aq good person in hearing her ,and she is basiclly a bad one for presuming you to be a sinner
let god judge
sorry you dont believe
well know god knows all
that wont do it tell her you a buddist
hell figure it out your self you godless blaspheemer
only kidding jesus loves you anyway.
so do we ,dont judge her thats where she is sinning ,sorry lord i didnt mean to judge her harshly
look shes worried for your soul ..bend a little but dont break down about it ,you either think she wants to hurt you or as she sees it save you ,the best way to solve it god tells me is to sit down with her and let her words run out
thats too easy go visit and just let her say it all
ask a few questions and out stay her ,should fix it in one hour or two and both of you will feel better ,and you wont need to say a thing...keep eye contact apparently...dont giggle if she begins talking in tongues leave.,smile occasionally and whatever you do dont roll your eyes back into your head like that in front of her.
2006-11-09 08:28:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
Tell her very nicely that you appreciate her concern, but you are indeed an Atheist and you are happy to be and she should respect your beliefs.
2006-11-09 08:16:47 · answer #10 · answered by Nicole B 2 · 7⤊ 0⤋