Last week thanks to my job I was stuck in a hotel room with a Christian. On the first night he decided to preach to me and tell me that my religion is unholy and satanic (I'm a Druid, as if no one can tell from my name). I pretty much ignored him and just went to sleep. The next day he continued with his rant against Pagans, even while we were waiting to be assigned to a trainer. I did notice that the guy had no money with him, given how he would ask people for a dollar or some change so he could buy lunch. I also noticed that no one was willing to help him because of his constant preaching to everyone he met. When we got back to the hotel room I went out and got dinner at a nearby Popeyes, and brought back a meal for him too.
Would you have done the same if someone was bashing your religion? Would you have let him go hungry for his disrespect? Or do you feel that me buying him dinner was the right thing to do? Would you help someone like this if they needed the help?
2006-12-21 06:21:09 · 17 answers · asked by lavos1412 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
And if anyone is wondering, he quit preaching to me once I bought him dinner. I guess he figured out Pagans aren't as evil as he thought they were.
2006-12-21 06:22:10 · update #1
Nice person you are. I'm a Pagan, and you were in the right for proving wrong this other man's belief. Thumbs-up.
Now all you have to do is let everyone else know about how evil we aren't! I've tried to help, but no one believes me.
2006-12-21 06:23:56 · answer #1 · answered by Cold Fart 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I'm glad you bought him dinner. I know a lot of Pagans who take on the attitude that "I may be the only Pagan these Christians ever meet, so I need to do my best be a good representative!" You did a wonderful job, and your compassion is wonderful. It's good to have compassion from others, even if it is not reciprocal. Perhaps he was just grouchy because he didn't eat all day, and he was upset about forgetting his money so he was taking out his frustrations on everyone else? I'm sure the meal helped him out, and if he was nicer to everyone else as well you did everyone a favor!
If his preaching that you are evil continues, I would recommend filing a complaint with your boss or HR department. You should not have to take any sort of harassment from your colleagues. Even if his preaching has stopped, it might be a good idea to mention it to someone just so it's on record in case it starts up again. (This sort of thing needs to be noted right away, even if you don't want to pursue it any further in case it turns nasty again. Just saying that "it's happened before" won't do you any good.)
2006-12-21 14:29:28 · answer #2 · answered by Mrs. Pears 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like he was being rather obnoxious, and probably deserved to suffer a little for his disrespect. That said, I think you did do the right thing - because no matter what he did or did not deserve, that doesn't change the fact that there are right and wrong ways *for you* to act. His failure does not give people free rein when dealing with him.
You acted honorably, with generousity - and maybe, with actions speaking louder than words, you made him realize that he was going overboard. Overall, well done.
2006-12-22 09:39:08 · answer #3 · answered by ArcadianStormcrow 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good for you! I'd have absolutely done the same. I attended a Pagan Pride festival last year, and one of the speakers talked about the only real way for Wiccans and Pagans to change the perception of us, and that was by showing them "who" we are instead of telling them "what" we are. The speaker had moved into a small town where he and his partner decided to open up a Wiccan store. They knew it would never fly just opening it, so they joined the business board of the town, went to all the functions, got to be really well known and liked, and then when the people came to the opening of the store many months later, they all stopped and went, "Um"...The speaker said, "So we'd tell them, 'We're Wiccan' and they'd say, 'But you're such nice people'." It took a little while for the town to come to terms with them being Wiccans AND nice people, but now everyone loves them.
Blessed Yule!
)O(
2006-12-21 14:28:03 · answer #4 · answered by thelittlemerriemaid 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It is just basic human kindness despite religion. No I couldn't eat in front of someone who was hungry, so I would have done the same.
I'm a Catholic and understand bashing and misinformation about my own religion. You did the BEST PREACHING anybody could do: you lived by your values, instead of falling victim to arguing or getting defensive.
2006-12-21 18:03:29 · answer #5 · answered by * 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You did the right thing Christians seem to have a hard time forgiving what they consider sin. Pagans on the other hand are taught to accept others free will. Maybe he will learn a lesson that he is wrong to judge others falsely. Take care and Blessed Be
2006-12-21 14:25:54 · answer #6 · answered by harmony moon 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I would buy him dinner. It was the right thing to do!
My ethics and moral code say that I should treat people with kindness and respect. He might be obnoxious but that's no reason for him to go hungry.
Perhaps now he will be more tolerant. Your kindness may change his outlook on life!
2006-12-22 10:54:59 · answer #7 · answered by dark_firmament 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes! My Pagan brother! You follow the path well!
Open hand and open heart. It's good to know you did this.
I would have done the same.
2006-12-21 14:42:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I would have done the same. I wouldn't let him go hungry just because he views my beliefs in a bad light. I feel you were right in doing what you did.
Pagan/Celtic Reconstructionist
2006-12-21 15:44:31 · answer #9 · answered by Kithy 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
you are to be highly commended for what you did in help the christian. the good you dealt out will be given back to you three fold. and perhaps the christian might reconsider his fantasy that pagans are evil and believe in the devil.
2006-12-21 14:51:01 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋