I am an American living in Germany, and in my German language class, a girl gave me a book that is in English. When I took it home, I realized it is material from Jehovah´s Witnesses, and I am Methodist.
How do I return it to her without offending her? I don´t believe as they do, and do not want to be disrespectful by returning it to her.
2007-12-19 23:43:16 · 27 answers · asked by Learning is fun! 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hello, Breezer, it was nice of you to ask.
You said, in part: "When I took it home, I realized it is material from Jehovah´s Witnesses, and I am Methodist."
Well, that is fine too. We have different beliefs from one another, so even though you are not interested in changing yours, you may actually enjoy reading it especially along with your copy of the Bible just to see why we believe as we do on certain subjects.
We are not after converts, we just want to help others gain a better understanding of the Bible and its teachings.
2007-12-20 01:03:01 · answer #1 · answered by Abdijah 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Just go to that Religious Place and left there in a corner - if that is of muslim religion kept in the Masjid, if Christianity then kept in the Church, if Hindu then keep in the temple - like that. Some one will take and read that happily. As a gentle lady you should not throw it or return to person who gave you. It should reach the person you feel will be interested in reading that book. Even if you do not have time to do all these things then simply kept on the Bench of a Park and return home.
2007-12-21 01:07:21 · answer #2 · answered by ashok k 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I suggest you hold fast to what you believe. But, be open minded enough to read their literature and consider that some of the concerns they express are legitimate universal themes. Explore these within your own faith.
I have worked with Jehovah's Witnesses several times in my life and while they have an intensity of their beliefs that I find myself jealous of, I think they know that there is a comfort level that they would not want to loose with you by proselytizing.
You may end up with a valuable friend with who you can have a faith deepening relationship.
2007-12-20 07:55:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Give it back and tell the truth. Thank her anyway.
Or else - if you read the book - thank her, discuss it with her if she wants, and hear her opinion. You lost nothing, you just gained knowledge of other ways of belief, that doesn't have to be your own. That's always a benefit, not a loss.
If she wants to convert you and you don't want that - just tell her politely so and be nice, you might just find a good and open-minded friend to talk to.
2007-12-20 08:13:47 · answer #4 · answered by Crystal 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its nice that you don't want to disrespect her religion, so many people don't care!
Just let her know that you did consider it and didnt throw it to the side, but you stil believe in what you believe in and thank her for giving you the chance to look at another religion.
Its good to understand what other people believe in but it doesn't mean you have to change your beliefs, im sure she would understand since you aren't putting her religion down in the slightest.
2007-12-20 07:48:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Read it... and then return it. Tell her it isn't for you but you didn't want to throw it away because you (should) know that she may want to share the material with someone else that might be interested.
She'll appreciate having the material back and hopefully also your honesty.
2007-12-20 10:30:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Just because you don't believe doesn't mean you can't read it. And just because you read its not going to make you a believer, if you really have faith in your religion. I'm not a Jehovah's witness. And your not obligated to read anything you don't want but if you did it wouldn't hurt, might help you understand them better and why they act how they do. If not a simple no thanks, would suffice. Just my personal opinion.
2007-12-20 07:58:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Just say thank you but I already have a different faith that I am steadily involved in. I appreciate the kindness. And quite frankly you dont need to return the book, throw it out if you may but just tell her the next day that you are Methodist but you still appreciate her thinking of you
2007-12-20 07:49:29 · answer #8 · answered by Jennifer B 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
It's not necessary to return the book. If anything needs to be said, just say thank you.
2007-12-20 07:50:04 · answer #9 · answered by joseph8638 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The questioner is to be commended for her interest in respecting her classmate's sensibilities, but she should be assured that Jehovah's Witnesses are not easily offended and do not want their literature wasted.
The literature of Jehovah's Witnesses is generally written for any godly person, and particularly those who respect the bible. If the questioner feels that does not describe herself, she should simply mention that to the giver of the book when she returns it with thanks and regrets.
Of course, there seems little harm in learning something of the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses. The questioner should recognize that by far the majority of Jehovah's Witness literature is distributed and read by non-Witnesses. For example, Awake! magazine enjoys a circulation of about 34 million each issue while there are only seven million active Witnesses and another ten million who associate themselves with Jehovah's Witnesses. Thus, more than half of Awake! magazines are read by non-Witnesses.
Learn more:
http://www.jw-media.org/people/statistics.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
2007-12-20 07:48:02 · answer #10 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 5⤊ 4⤋