A close friend gifted me with a Bible

[sunshinehighway]

I wonder how this thread would have gone if it was called "A close friend gifted me with a Quran."

Yeah I was thinking that too.

 

[shoney]

I am not religious ... was raised without religion. My atheist SIL turned Catholic (mass everyday) gave me a bible. I took it, but honestly it annoyed me, said thank you and got rid of it.
To me gifting a bible is a lot different than giving me your favorite James Patterson novel.

 

[robinb]

Yeah I was thinking that too.

Me three.

 

[DennyCrane]

I wonder how this thread would have gone if it was called "A close friend gifted me with a Quran."

I doubt it would be on page 6 and still open, that's for sure.

 

[dish rag]

I wonder how this thread would have gone if it was called "A close friend gifted me with a Quran."

Probably similar to this with posters being offended. But receiving a quran in N. America wouldn't be as usual as one receiving a Bible. A Bible would not be a usual religious book given as a gift in Saudi Arabia. In fact it wouldn't be allowed to happen.

 

[Kitty 34]

I doubt it would be on page 6 and still open, that's for sure.

Or I doubt it would have made it to page 6 let alone page two if the OP received a Harlequin Romance book from their friend. LOL!!

 

[DennyCrane]

Or I doubt it would have made it to page 6 let alone page two if the OP received a Harlequin Romance book from their friend. LOL!!

Very good point.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Or I doubt it would have made it to page 6 let alone page two if the OP received a Harlequin Romance book from their friend. LOL!!

I agree with you there.

Could you imagine the thoughts on that:

"I received a romance novel from my close friend of 40 years but I'm not interested in reading it what should I do with it?"

Either crickets...well ok maybe a few responses from those like myself that read that kind of stuff (lil tidbit about me)

or

"IDK do whatever you want with it.." while secretly thinking 'they made a thread about getting a romance novel??'

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I wonder how this thread would have gone if it was called "A close friend gifted me with a Quran."

One does not have to believe in the holiness of Bible or the Quran to appreciate them. But I doubt such a thread would last long.

 

[Magpie]

Probably similar to this with posters being offended. But receiving a quran in N. America wouldn't be as usual as one receiving a Bible. A Bible would not be a usual religious book given as a gift in Saudi Arabia. In fact it wouldn't be allowed to happen.

Actually, you ARE allowed to read, own, and even give as a personal gift a Bible in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia allows people to practice their own religions, privately. Of course, the only religion practiced in public is Islam, but what you do in private is up to you.

What is not allowed in Saudi Arabia is religious proselytization (except, of course, of Islam). So, you may not import large quantities of Bibles into the country (because, really, it's obvious they're not all for you), but you can bring one for your own use. You may not go door to door giving away Bibles. You may not deliberately leave a Bible behind in your hotel room, or in any public place. You may not hand Bibles out to strangers in the street.

But giving one as a gift to a friend? Just fine (unless the aforementioned friend then goes to the authorities to accuse you of proselytizing, that is). Or worse, your friend happens to be Muslim, reads your Bible, converts to Christianity and blames it all on you. Apostasy (abandoning Islam or convincing someone else to abandon Islam) IS a crime in Saudi Arabia.

 

[RedAngie]

Something like this would likely happen if I tried to accept a Bible as a gift.

 

[Magpie]

Something like this would likely happen if I tried to accept a Bible as a gift.

My father-in-law once commented to me that he'd burst into flames if he ever crossed the threshold of the Catholic church (they treated my mil rather badly, and he was not a forgiving man).

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd probably donate it to a church or library if I wasn't interested in keeping it.

I probably wouldn't say anything to the person who gave it to me other than thank you.

 

[ols386]

I wouldn't throw the Bible away. I'd just keep it. Place it in one of my book shelves.

 

[kimblebee]

Something like this would likely happen if I tried to accept a Bible as a gift.

Oh this made me literally LOL

 

[MouseOfCards]

Just save it and hide it somewhere. One day, when all books are banned and burned, this gift will be worth a fortune.

Or, as others have mentioned, just donate it. Someone will want it - many millions have found it's contents to be quite useful.

 

[smiths02]

I would be offended! If it was a close friend and they gave me a bible then yes, I would be VERY offended. If they were close then they would know my views on religion and to give me a bible would be like a slap in the face.

YOU would be offended, but we don't know anything about the OP other than that the OP doesn't want to read the Bible.
The gift is still misguided, granted, but it might not be a "slap in the face."

 

[mom2rtk]

The hostility from some is fascinating.

I find it to be an odd gift, perhaps worthy of a raised eyebrow. But hostility?

OP, you've had a great range of advice. I just suggest you take the high road and don't meet a potentially questionable gift with equally questionable manners. Drop it off at a local church and I bet they will find a great home for it.

If you feel the gift was an attempt to save your soul, and you have never expressed a desire to have your soul saved, it's time for a new friend.

 

[ronandannette]

YOU would be offended, but we don't know anything about the OP other than that the OP doesn't want to read the Bible.
The gift is still misguided, granted, but it might not be a "slap in the face."

Good point! I think a lot of the replies to this thread were actually referencing the PP who said someone who had know her for 40 years gave her a bible. That wasn't the OP, who simply said what you said she said . The question wasn't about whether the gesture was offensive - it was about how to let the friend know she didn't want it, which hasn't really been addressed by too many people.

I am not interested in reading it so is there a nice way to let her know that?

OP, why not just simply tell her? It will probably lead to a discussion of your differing world views but if you're both people of goodwill you'll likely learn some very important things about one another and deepen your relationship. That's what I'd want if I was your friend.

 

[mnrose]

While there might be an ulterior motive to the gift, I compare it to giving a "romance" book, a "real crime" book, or an "action adventure" book to someone who doesn't read that style. If you don't read romance novels and a friend gave you one, what would you do? Give it back? Tell them thanks, but no thanks? No, you'd say "Thank you" gracelessly and either put it up somewhere or donate it. Why wouldn't you do the same with Bible?

"Gracelessly."

Really, a person should be graceless?

The Bible is not a "style" of book. It's a religious text.

If someone did gift me a Bible (never has happened to me except for my Confirmation, where it is the "standard" gift given in that church), I'd say "thank you."

I'd be gracious.

But, I would find it odd that a long term friend would give me that gift out of the blue. Would you feel that same way, for example, if someone gifted you the Book of Mormon or the Koran? Long term friend, knows you aren't Mormon or Muslim, and they give you a Book of Mormon or the Koran? I'll bet you'd find it a bit odd, and that is what OP is saying here.