A close friend gifted me with a Bible

[AustinMommyofThree]

Giving a bible to somebody for whom it is not a meaningful item is, in my opinion, a very self-centered gift by the giver.

Of course people can give anything they want as a gift, but in my opinion if you know the receiver does not want it, then the gift isn't about them, it's about you and trying to make them care about something they do not value. To me, as their supposed friend, that would tell me a lot about their so-called values and would make me question the friendship.

 

[leebee]

I'd be insulted and annoyed if a close, long-term friend gave me a bible, for several reasons. First, it's not just any book, it's a BIBLE. It's a religious text, not a book about the Christian religion; there is a huge difference here, IMO. Also, if I had a close friend for that long, they'd know my feelings about religion/god and that I'm atheist. I find it terribly condescending for people to judge my religious beliefs and decide they need to educate me to their religious ways (I feel this was about the door-to-door religious people, too), which is what giving a bible signifies. Furthermore... what makes you think I reject religion out of hand? Why would you presume that I am not educated about religious beliefs, and base MY beliefs from an informed viewpoint? However, regardless of how I feel, I'm pretty sure I'd just say "thank you" and let it go. Although I might find the gift misguided and insulting, there's no sense in insulting the gift-giver in return. I'd file the bible in the "recycle" box and file knowing what the friend gave/what it signifies to me in my memory.

 

[Hikergirl]

I just don't think a bible is like any other gift. It's not "just a book", so I don't think it can be considered as "just a gift" either.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I feel the very same way as Leebee about those who go out on the streets and knock on doors.
Not appropriate when they clearly have no regard for basic common boundaries!!!!

This also happens to be how I would feel about somebody giving me a Bible unless they knew it would be appreciated.

While I see less and less of this any more, I am in the South, and it is not uncommon.

I can remember, some time ago, there was a woman who stalked kids, KIDS!, at our Walmart and 'talked to them' and handed them tracts.
OMG....

 

[luvsJack]

I feel the very same way as Leebee about those who go out on the streets and knock on doors.
Not appropriate when they clearly have no regard for basic common boundaries!!!!

This also happens to be how I would feel about somebody giving me a Bible unless they knew it would be appreciated.

While I see less and less of this any more, I am in the South, and it is not uncommon.

I can remember, some time ago, there was a woman who stalked kids, KIDS!, at our Walmart and 'talked to them' and handed them tracts.
OMG....

We had a neighbor that did this! When dd was young, she and a friend would be playing outside and this woman (who we didn't even know was a neighbor) would stop and invite them to go to church with her right then. Scared all of us!

 

[DennyCrane]

I really like the music video to the song, Blurred Lines.

Anyone else?

 

[RobDoc]

I really like the music video to the song, Blurred Lines.

Anyone else?

Yes. It would be great if the discussion re-directed itself to this post - http://disboards.com/threads/a-close-friend-gifted-me-with-a-bible.3575980/

 

[Dawnlight]

Gift them this book :https://www.amazon.com/Why-There-Go...e=UTF8&qid=1486239112&sr=8-1&keywords=atheist

or this:

https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Flyin...9287&sr=1-1&keywords=flying+spaghetti+monster

 

[Sabeking]

As a Christian I would be SO OFFENDED if I received a Koran as a gift since I don't believe in that!!!! Now that sounds totally ridiculous, don't you think? I am a devout Christian and in reality if I received a Koran by anyone I would actually read it so I could educate myself on others views. Heck, I may go buy one after thinking about it. There is nothing wrong with educating yourself about how others see things.

See I even spelled it wrong...it's Quran, just looked it up on my handy iPad. Now I'm a little more educated!..

 

[Nancyg56]

As a Christian I would be SO OFFENDED if I received a Koran as a gift since I don't believe in that!!!! Now that sounds totally ridiculous, don't you think? I am a devout Christian and in reality if I received a Koran by anyone I would actually read it so I could educate myself on others views. Heck, I may go buy one after thinking about it. There is nothing wrong with educating yourself about how others see things.

It would be rediculous if the person who gifted it knew you would not be open to reading it. I think that there are gifts that it is best to give thought to before you give them to a friend or relative. Religious items are among them, IMO.

 

[SMD]

As a Christian I would be SO OFFENDED if I received a Koran as a gift since I don't believe in that!!!! Now that sounds totally ridiculous, don't you think? I am a devout Christian and in reality if I received a Koran by anyone I would actually read it so I could educate myself on others views. Heck, I may go buy one after thinking about it. There is nothing wrong with educating yourself about how others see things.

See I even spelled it wrong...it's Quran, just looked it up on my handy iPad. Now I'm a little more educated!..

Is there a history of Muslims trying to convert Christians by passing out religious texts? Because that history does exist with Christianity. Anyone who knows me well enough to know my religious beliefs would know better than to give me a bible. So yes, it would be offensive.

 

[Sabeking]

It would be rediculous if the person who gifted it knew you would not be open to reading it. I think that there are gifts that it is best to give thought to before you give them to a friend or relative. Religious items are among them, IMO.

As a Christian you would assume I would not read the Quran but I would. It wouldn't bother me a bit!

 

[Sabeking]

Is there a history of Muslims trying to convert Christians by passing out religious texts? Because that history does exist with Christianity. Anyone who knows me well enough to know my religious beliefs would know better than to give me a bible. So yes, it would be offensive.

I would assume with extreme Muslims they wouldn't be passing out books but blowing up events. Even some Christians have done that. As far as mainstream Muslims, yes I have experienced that in my area. Don't know about history. I think it is interesting to learn some would be offended. It's your perspective and I can respect that. I wouldn't be offended and that is another perspective.

 

[Nancyg56]

As a Christian you would assume I would not read the Quran but I would. It wouldn't bother me a bit!

I would not assume anything. When it comes to gifting religious gifts, I would make sure I know if the person I am gifting would appreciate the gift. I would need to know my friend or family member and how they would regard such a gift. If I knew you and I knew that you enjoyed reading and researching religions, I might make a point of trying to find a book you would want to use in order to learn more, and perhaps to add to a collection you might have. I woudl not do so if we were casual friends and I was invited to your birthday party. I would give you chocolate or a plant. I think I did not explain my thought properly.

 

[Sabeking]

I would not assume anything. When it comes to gifting religious gifts, I would make sure I know if the person I am gifting would appreciate the gift. I would need to know my friend or family member and how they would regard such a gift. If I knew you and I knew that you enjoyed reading and researching religions, I might make a point of trying to find a book you would want to use in order to learn more, and perhaps to add to a collection you might have. I woudl not do so if we were casual friends and I was invited to your birthday party. I would give you chocolate or a plant. I think I did not explain my thought properly.

I can see your point of view. Funny enough after thinking about this I was reminded that there is actually a verse in the Bible that counsels Christians on pushing the Bible on those who are not interested. So that is something Christians, myself included can think about. I won't put the verse on here as I don't want to get kicked off!! And...I'm headed to a birthday party so I gotta go, don't worry I'm giving a scarf! Lol! Good discussion!

 

[SMD]

I would assume with extreme Muslims they wouldn't be passing out books but blowing up events.

Wow. I doubt you've ever met or seen a Muslim passing out religious texts. See above as to why that's my opinion.

 

[Nancyg56]

I can see your point of view. Funny enough after thinking about this I was reminded that there is actually a verse in the Bible that counsels Christians on pushing the Bible on those who are not interested. So that is something Christians, myself included can think about. I won't put the verse on here as I don't want to get kicked off!! And...I'm headed to a birthday party so I gotta go, don't worry I'm giving a scarf! Lol! Good discussion!

LOL! If you get invited to my birthday party...I like wine! I cannot figure how to wear a scarf to save my life, so if you saw me wearing one you gifted, you would think you would do better giving me a Bible next tiem! LOL!

 

[Sabeking]

Wow. I doubt you've ever met or seen a Muslim passing out religious texts. See above as to why that's my opinion.

I truly am not begging out but I have a party to go to. I have seen the local Muslims pass out the Quran. It wasn't a big deal to me. Just answering the question. You can believe or not. Gotta go!

 

[Sabeking]

LOL! If you get invited to my birthday party...I like wine! I cannot figure how to wear a scarf to save my life, so if you saw me wearing one you gifted, you would think you would do better giving me a Bible next tiem! LOL!

Ok I'm going to be late to my party. I would then be drinking with you! We do have something in common. Hey, I believe Jesus turned water into wine... lol!

 

[Nancyg56]

Ok I'm going to be late to my party. I would then be drinking with you! We do have something in common. Hey, I believe Jesus turned water into wine... lol!

See...now we are friends! And I too believe Jesus turned water into wine, which was a very good thing, IMO.