please help with this situation!!?

Question

ok. in high school, my now boyfriend and i had completly different groups of friends. i was a rich little party girl and he played pokemon or something. anyways, we have been together for three years and are very happy together. i am wiccan and he is atheist. he now wants to have supper (TONIGHT!! AHH) with his best friend from high school and his current girlfriend, Margret. they are both die hard born again christian fundies! and im scared! like i have no clue what to say or do if they start talking about religion (which im positve they will) while we're eating. what should i do in the situation that they do?? thanks

Answer 1

Is your atheist boyfriend willing to put up with their????
Gotta say, if it was me;
I'd call them before tonight and tell them, "I wanted you to know that I'm Wiccan and do not discuss religion nor politics with anyone. And I expect the same courtesy extended to me. If this offends you then I shouldn't come tonight. If it doesn't I'll be very happy to meet you both and look forward to a good time."
I stand strong in who I am but offer an out for those who it offends. Nicely, diplomaticly, and honestly - above all else
I wish you good luck and hope you post the results tomorrow.

Blessed Be

Answer 2

Let them talk about their religion, but you are under no obligation to tell them about yours. If they try to drop hints, don't take the bait. It'll all end in tears.

If they ask you directly, "What's your religion?" "What do you believe" etc the ettiquette columns pretty much agree the polite response to a personal question you don't care to answer is a gracious smile and the question, "Why do you want to know?" if they pesist, say "It's private." If they continue to persist, repeat, preferably in the exact same tone to indicate they've hit a wall.

If they say lots of pointed things like "Praise Jesus" and "Thank you God for this meal" and "GOD Bless YOU", just smile and ignore it.

I highly recommend this because if you do rise to their challenge and start talking about your beliefs, the evening will go very badly.

However if your boyfriend engages them in debate, feel free to pipe up as it's all going to hell anyway.

Then come back here and tell us all the juicy bits :-D

Answer 3

People in our day have lost the ability to communicate. If they start to talk about something that makes you uncomfortable tell them "I don't really want to talk about this, it makes me uncomfortable." If they push the subject tell them "Can we please not discuss this now?" Don't let it drop and try to change the subject to something everyone can discuss.

That said, someone once said:

"Free and fair discussion will ever be found the firmest friend to truth."
- G. Campbell

The only problem is that you cannot discuss something with someone who is totally ignorant. If the person doesn't do their own research - that is, if they only regurgitate what they've heard from others - then the conversation will be a useless argument of ignorance.

Answer 4

The best thing you can do is just be open and friendly with them!

When the subject of religion comes up (or, as is more likely, they'll tell you how they came to be Christians), just listen. They may come at it more from an angle of catching up on what's happened over the past few years rather than preaching at you. Just understand that this is their life and what they are dedicated to, and that they are happy with it just as you are happy with your beliefs. Try to be open minded about what they are interested in, just like you would with anyone.

Answer 5

Talk with your boy friend and come up with a game plan that if and when the subject turns to religion you will both attempt to "politely" change the subject to something everyone is interested in. Come up with some subjects before hand so you will both be on the same page so to speak.

Answer 6

Well, I am a Christian myself, even though I do hope I dont fit into the legalistic kind- which you are referring to as fundies.
You believe Wicca- your BFs friends are born again believers. He is an atheist- if he thought that it was going to be awkward, I do not think they would be friends. Just go with an open mind- they may be as uncomfortable around you as you are seeming to be around them. If you do not want to talk about Christianity tell them- I have shared my faith with people who do not care to hear, and I respect that.

Answer 7

You change the subject. If they're too persistant then just politely say that the topic is making you uncomfortable and you'd like it we could move on. They don't have a right to make you feel uncomfortable at dinner. Talk to your boyfriend about it so he knows how you feel and will back you up at dinner.

Answer 8

I would simply tell them that you respect everyone's right to choose their own religion and that is what you have done. If (when) they ask you your choice you can tell them that you really don't feel a need to discuss it as this opens your faith to the scrutiny of others and it isn't up to others to judge whether your choice is right for you or not, it is your choice.

Blessed Be )O(
And I hope the dinner goes smoothly

Answer 9

Avoid the topic. If it does come up, change the subject asd gracefully as you can. Use anything to totally get onto something else.

Ask if they have read the latest Harry Potter book or seen the movie.



**smiles**

Answer 10

Since you are Wiccan and for BF is Atheist, the born-again rhetoric can be directly pretty equally at both of you. Since these are your BFs friends, I would follow his lead. If he just lets them babble on, I'd say grin and bear it. If both of you are uncomfortable, one of you should say something, preferably your BF. Perhaps you should say something to him before dinner on the matter?