A close friend gifted me with a Bible

[sunshinehighway]

And that goes both ways.

Like I said earlier in this thread, I'm a Christian & have owned several Bibles over the years.

If a friend who knows I'm a Christian gave me a religious text from a different religion, I'd possibly wonder why, but I'd also accept the gift graciously. I'm not sure what I'd do w/ the text - possibly donate it, possibly keep it. Out of interest, I'd at least look through it, & I wouldn't just toss it in trash.

If a friend wanted to talk to be about his/her religion - even if it's different than my own religion, I'd be fine discussing religion w/ my friend, provided our discussion stayed mutually respectful.

I once talked to a couple of Mormon girls who came to our door for over 30 minutes. It was a very interesting, non-threatening discussion. I learned more about their specific beliefs, & I talked to them about my Baptist beliefs. No one got upset or offended.

I'm not scared of religions & don't feel threatened by religions other than mine. So my immediate response to a religious gift would not be to feel offended, threatened, or attacked by my friend. I'd simply thank the person for the gift & then continue to live my life.

Again, perhaps, the person had some sort of ulterior motive for giving the OP a Bible. Who knows? But that's on the friend.

Hmmmm who should I believe as to whether anyone listened to the womens march.
Should I believe those predisposed not to listen or believe anyone else did.
Or should I believe my lying eyes?



View attachment 218506


Looks to me like there were a lot of people listening.

My comment was specifically to the post I quoted.

 

[Wendy31]

My comment was specifically to the post I quoted.

I'm sorry then if I misquoted you or didn't understand what you were trying to say.

I am confused though as to how the Women's March has come into this discussion.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I'm sorry then if I misquoted you or didn't understand what you were trying to say.

I am confused though as to how the Women's March has come into this discussion.

It's from a different thread. I would assume it was an accident to include it in this one probably done as a multi-quote thing. I know I've done that before myself.

 

[Hikergirl]

Hostility towards religion, and the religions associated with the Bible, is very real.
True anger and hostility.
Been that way, like, forever.... No surprize.

I don't think anyone has said otherwise.
However I'm pretty sure the pp was talking about hostility in this thread, not on a global scale.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have to say the amount of hostility and anger toward religion in many of these posts surprised me. I can understand disinterest or ambivalence or even dislike of religion. But the hostility? I wasn't expecting that...You learn something every day on these boards.

I think that these comments, quoted above, were very clear.
And, I was talking about here and now, in today's culture, here in this country and on social media and chatboards like the DIS...
The DIS is not exactly what one would call a conservative/christian forum in it's focus.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I understand your comment but in the context of this thread we're talking about a close friend of 40+ years. I personally would treat that differently than if for example I'm given the gift you are speaking of when I'm a young kid or a friend who I'm just starting out with because perhaps they haven't gotten to know me well enough. I still would find it odd because of it being a religious symbol but not on the same level as a close friend of 40+ years. I can't say that's why some feel so strongly about the topic but I do know it's been said by me and multiple other posters regarding the longevity of the friendship.

To me this topic isn't one isolated to the DIS. I would have this same conversation with people around me.

True, they hadn't know him for long. He wasn't that old. And true, I was only 29 when he was born, so I wasn't that old either.

But this wasn't a new friend of only a year or two. This was a friend that knew us for a while. Five plus years.

I guess I don't see anything magical about 40 years. Heck, I am 51. And there are very few people, that aren't relatives, that I have known for 40 years. Like maybe 4. Do they know me better than those that have been around me for the last 5 to 10 years? Probably not.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I'm sorry then if I misquoted you or didn't understand what you were trying to say.

I am confused though as to how the Women's March has come into this discussion.

I think the quoting function mess me up. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Hrhpd]

Maybe, just maybe, if I were handed the single most widely propagated book on earth by a dear friend, at this moment in my life, I would take it as a sign. Perhaps the point is NOT to find faith for MYSELF but to read the book (or portions of) and in that maybe understand why the friend believes what THEY do. In other words, utilizing this very powerful piece of information to understand the billions of people that have and do believe so strongly in it. To understand why people do, say and act the way they do based on the words in this book. YOU get to chose what it means to you, but simply throwing it away may be throwing away an opportunity to take your shoes of and slip on someone else's. No new faith has to be acquired, no one is trying to save you, you just now have just been given an opportunity (unbeknownst to your friend) to take a look at a book that has shaped the world for the past 4000+ years...and lets be honest right now, I think everyone should be taking a peak....this is just how I would look at it....no offense to anyone of course, namaste

With the bolded, you gave yourself away as to your intentions. You would gift a bible thinking a person should be taking a peak (sic). Thinking everyone should take a peak (sic) is subtly telling the recipient that they need this book (religion) in their life, pushing your religion. That is exactly why giving a bible is not the same as giving a copy of James Patterson's newest novel. There is always a subtle hidden agenda, just like you mentioned, when giving a bible in this country.

The OP said they had no interest in reading their gift. If my friend of 40 years was so clueless that they did not know I would not be interested in reading the bible, I would be questioning the depth of our friendship.

My good friends would know that a bible would not be appreciated. If there was a nice inscription in it from my friend, my exacto knife would come out, the inscription would be cut out and placed in a scrapbook and the rest of the book would be in the closest trash receptacle. No hostility, but the book would have been ruined and wouldn't be able to be donated.

If I need to interpret anything or learn about certain parts, google is my friend. History books would be more to my interest in learning how and why people follow certain religions.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

True, they hadn't know him for long. He wasn't that old. And true, I was only 29 when he was born, so I wasn't that old either.

But this wasn't a new friend of only a year or two. This was a friend that knew us for a while. Five plus years.

I guess I don't see anything magical about 40 years. Heck, I am 51. And there are very few people, that aren't relatives, that I have known for 40 years. Like maybe 4. Do they know me better than those that have been around me for the last 5 to 10 years? Probably not.

Guess that would depend on person to person but as I mentioned in my very 1st post on this thread my two best friends of over 22 years and 16 years wouldn't give me a bible and while we're on the subject of other religions any religious book.

The one friend I've known for 22 years (since I was 6 1/2) we had about a 3 or 4 year period where we didn't talk much. She still wouldn't give me a bible or religious book unless for some reason we started talking religion once we reconnected.

The one friend I've known for over 16 years (since I was 12 or so) we had about a 5 year period where she dropped off the face of the earth. She still wouldn't give me a bible or religious book unless for some reason we started talking religion once we reconnected.

In my case I'm close enough with my friends (and the OP did say in the title it was a close friend) that it wouldn't make any sense for them to just give me a bible or religious book even with a nice handwritten note.

ETA: I don't want you to think that I don't get your comments because I do. I totally understand and get why someone wouldn't think it was a big deal or the hoopla over it but I also understand why someone would think it is a big deal and the hoopla over it.

 

[Hrhpd]

I think it's only fraught with meaning if you let it be. If someone gave you a copy of 50 Shades of Grey, would you think they want you to try S&M?

50 Shades of Gray is a poorly written work of fiction. Are you putting the two books in the same category?

 

[Uncranky Donald]

With the bolded, you gave yourself away as to your intentions. You would gift a bible thinking a person should be taking a peak (sic). Thinking everyone should take a peak (sic) is subtly telling the recipient that they need this book (religion) in their life, pushing your religion.

The OP said they had no interest in reading their gift. If my friend of 40 years was so clueless that they did not know I would not be interested in reading the bible, I would be questioning the depth of our friendship.

My good friends would know that a bible would not be appreciated. If there was a nice inscription in it from my friend, my exacto knife would come out, the inscription would be cut out and placed in a scrapbook and the rest of the book would be in the closest trash receptacle.

If I need to interpret anything or learn about certain parts, google is my friend. History books would be more to my interest in learning how and why people follow certain religions.

Lol, there is no "giving away", I have no motives to make anyone read a bible....oh dear. I guess I must re-write the sentence with emphasis...and lets be honest right now,the way the world is, I think everyone should be taking a peak..there,I bolded it myself Lol!! The entire rest of my post is about utilizing the book as a tool to see another's perspective, NOT by whats in it for YOUR sake, but whats in it for THEIR sake. By looking inside a book as it pertains to how billions act, speak, re-act to one another. Instead of thinking "Hey so & so is just an ******, thats just who they are" I'd rather seek into the things they believe in, NOT because I want to be saved, or need to change my religion/spirituality, but because I want to get to know them better. Because for me, I am NOT satisfied with just thinking someone's an ******. And just as we didn't read Animal Farm in high school to learn about pigs and horses, or The Crucible to learn about witches, you don't have to read the bible to learn about religion. Namaste Translation:My soul acknowledges yours.

 

[Hrhpd]

For myself the hostility is not towards religion itself, it's the relentless push to "save" me. After 30+years of walking away from it, it gets old. I'm a live and let live kind of person. We may not agree or believe in the same things but I respect your views. It would never, ever occur to me to go to a religious person in my life and try to change their mind about what they believe. It would be highly disrespectful, obnoxious, rude and just plain wrong on so many levels. So in the context of my original post that's where I'm coming from. If someone who knows me well, who's mind I've never tried to change suddenly presented me with a bible yeah, it would upset me because I'm not being afforded the same courtesy that I give to them.

Perfect and well said!

 

[sonnyjane]

50 Shades of Gray is a poorly written work of fiction. Are you putting the two books in the same category?

 

[BigAlsGal]

The person who gifted you the Bible couldn't help themselves. They see your soul is going to burn and that's all they believe. As a former Christian I can tell you from experience that I would literally cry from thinking about my friends and family not accepting Jesus and burning for all eternity. In her eyes you are doomed and she's doing what she can to guide you to salvation. She probably won't give up any time soon. She cares about your eternal soul (which is pretty sweet when you think about it) even though in our eyes it's total nonsense.

 

[luvsJack]

Source? (Besides ChristianToday or the Daily Mail, I mean.)

Here's what I've got: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/saudi-arabia/local-laws-and-customs

"The public practice of any form of religion other than Islam is illegal; as is an intention to convert others. However, the Saudi authorities accept the private practice of religions other than Islam, and you can bring a Bible into the country as long as it is for your personal use. Importing larger quantities than this can carry severe penalties."

And also this Snopes article: http://www.snopes.com/punishment-reading-bible-saudi-arabia/

The source was my son as he stood beside his co-worker in the airport. They both worked in the oil field. There are many things said online that are found to be very different when you get there irl.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

50 Shades of Gray is a poorly written work of fiction. Are you putting the two books in the same category?

Sure, I'd consider both to be poorly written works of fiction.

 

[luvsJack]

It doesn't matter if the story is false. People believe what they want and just make excuses for it.

The story is very true. DS can tell many similar ones, like having to hide in the floorboard of a car to get to a safe house when he got sick on the rig and needed to see a dr. Or another guy being warned to leave his camouflage shirt (hunting not military) on the plane as he would be detained if found with it. But this is very off topic.

No excuses for anything. No reason to make excuses.

 

[Bluestars]

If somebody gave me a Bible, I would just thank them and move on with my life. I wouldn't be upset or say anything else to them. I get the intention and don't find it offensive.

 

[Poohforyou]

Yes, it's an odd gift but I personally would choose to just accept it at face value as a kind gesture by a close friend. I'd thank my friend and put it in a drawer or closet.

I'm not seeing the dilemma with this. It's certainly better than an ugly piece of clothing you feel obliged to wear.

 

[Aliceacc]

What do you hope to gain by telling your friend you didn't like her gift?

She's unlikely to give you another bible. So all you would be accomplishing is insulting her generosity.