A close friend gifted me with a Bible

[jaye614]

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

 

[DLgal]

Donate it to a local church. Or throw it away. You don't have to say anything to the gift giver.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

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

You don't need to "let her know". Just accept it and say "Thank you". Then, put it on a shelf, throw it away, or donate it somewhere.

If she asks how you're enjoying her gift, a simple "I haven't gotten around to reading it" will do.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Me..if I was gifted a book, that I didn't want to read? I'd say thank you and not read it.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Donate it to a local church. Or throw it away. You don't have to say anything to the gift giver.

EEK!! Don't throw it away. Please donate it!

 

[Dentam]

I am a book lover, so the thought of throwing any book away makes me cringe. I'd donate it and not tell her.

 

[DLgal]

EEK!! Don't throw it away. Please donate it!

Why not? Seriously curious. Bibles aren't exactly in short supply. I get them left on my doorstep all the time by the LDS people. I throw them away every time.

 

[Dentam]

Why not? Seriously curious. Bibles aren't exactly in short supply. I get them left on my doorstep all the time by the LDS people. I throw them away every time.

I would at least recycle it then. Otherwise it's just being wasteful.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I am thinking that this might be a nice Bible, and not like the cheap, thin, micro-tiny-print things that some organizations might give out.
If it is a nice Bible that somebody might appreciate, then I would donate it.
The version, to me, also matters. I would appreciate a NASB over many others.

OP, I wouldn't say anything right away... Don't look a gift horse in the mouth! But, there seems to be a message and agenda with such a gift, so maybe some things to iron out in your friendship in the near future? Is your friend becoming newly religious, or perhaps on a religious kick/revival?

 

[DLgal]

I would at least recycle it then. Otherwise it's just being wasteful.

Oh, I do recycle them! But, that's the same to me as "throwing away."

 

[DLgal]

I agree if it's a really nice Bible, definitely donate it. I have a few nice ones, family hand me downs. But when friends start giving away Bibles, they are usually the super basic variety, and your friend either thinks your life needs an intervention or is trying to recruit you to her church.

I might at least ask her why she gave me that particular gift. Then go from there.

 

[Hikergirl]

Put in your nightstand drawer.

 

[jaye614]

She wrote a nice note on the front inside cover; we've been friends for 40+ years. I will thank her for it and keep it with my other special stuff....thanks!!!!

 

[QueenIsabella]

No, there really ISN'T a nice way to let her know that. The correct response on the spot is "thank you". If she asks later on, you can say that you haven't started reading it. You are free to donate/toss/recycle it. And if religion comes up in conversation, you are free to state your position on the subject.

 

[Magpie]

She wrote a nice note on the front inside cover; we've been friends for 40+ years. I will thank her for it and keep it with my other special stuff....thanks!!!!

Even if she wrote a nice note in it, you're still not obliged to keep it.

My mum writes nice notes in every book she gives us. If I kept them all, my personal library would be even larger than it is (and I already have over 2000 books). In general, I keep a gift book that doesn't interest me for just as long as it takes me to find a nice new home for it. Which might be the local Sally Ann, or the Free Public Library box down the street, or our church's Fall Fair. Whatever's convenient. I've never had a friend or relative ask, "Where's that book I gave you?"

If I was worried about my mum coming across something she's dedicated to me (I really don't worry about this), I would neatly remove the first page (use a craft knife, so you don't ruin the binding). But honestly, I enjoy finding books with inscriptions in second hand stores. I think it gives them a bit of history, especially if they're dated.

P.S. In general, I think Bibles make rather poor gifts, outside of a child's confirmation or maybe an adult baptism. Either people already own one, or they have no desire for one.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I wouldn't. She probably had the best of intentions. Just say thank you and stash it somewhere.

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

I got a fancy Bible as a gift once...but I was kind of offended by it, as my friend knew that I am not Christian. I didn't read it. I still politely took it. Couldn't find anywhere to give it away, so it's in the back of my closet somewhere, out of sight.

 

[diznygirl]

Libraries frequently take donations of used books. Even religious books. They can have book sales and use the money for programs.

Books also tend to be hard to recycle because of the glue used to bind them.

 

[Skywalker]

I got a fancy Bible as a gift once...but I was kind of offended by it, as my friend knew that I am not Christian. I didn't read it. I still politely took it. Couldn't find anywhere to give it away, so it's in the back of my closet somewhere, out of sight.

So, I don't understand being offended? I had a friend give me something meaningful from their religion for my birthday once, even knowing I am Christian and not their faith. I took it as it was intended. Didn't "offend" me at all. Besides, you don't even have to be Christian to read the Bible. It is a piece of history at the very least and I know a lot of people with a good general education have read and know a lot about the Bible, regardless of their religion or lack thereof.

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

So, I don't understand being offended? I had a friend give me something meaningful from their religion for my birthday once, even knowing I am Christian and not their faith. I took it as it was intended. Didn't "offend" me at all. Besides, you don't even have to be Christian to read the Bible. It is a piece of history at the very least and I know a lot of people with a good general education have read and know a lot about the Bible, regardless of their religion or lack thereof.

I mean, the way I took it was that she wanted me to become Christian, as she had invited me to attend church with her in the past and kind of was the type of friend to push her views on others (we are no longer close for other reasons) . I do think my reaction was a bit strong- perhaps offended was the wrong word- but it was just a weird gift because she knows that I follow a different religion, I have never expressed any interest in owning a fancy bible, and it was my 21st birthday and most of the other gifts were bottles of vodka or other silly stuff. Either way, I took it politely. I actually took a class in college- "The Bible as Literature" so I actually owned a copy already!