Let Them Get On Their Merry Way...?

[Splatter Phoenix]

Today something pretty annoying (At least to me) happened. My parents have been working with a home-agent for several weeks and have finally, today, as of this morning, closed on a house. The home-agent proclaimed she had a present for my mother, (I was immediately suspicious, as she'd mentioned "church" and "Un-Christian words" in conversation before, and suspected something religious) and presented her with a framed message:

"May God Bless This House and All Who Enter It."

My mother is an atheist, my father is agnostic-borderline-Catholic (not practicing or anything, he was only baptised that way and recently decided to change), my brother (only twelve) an adamant atheist, and I myself am somewhat Norse-Pagan inclined...

I immediately quieted and listened to my mother thank the lady for her wonderful, thoughtful gift, and how nice it was. After we got into the car, safely away from prying eyes and ears, I joked, "I wanted one with "May Charles Darwin Evolve This House and All Who Enter It", and we all laughed.

But it felt wrong...almost like I was betraying my own beliefs... by letting this woman so rudely go about her way, assuming everyone was like her. Assuming everyone would LOVE to have a "God Bless This House" picture on their walls.

...Really. I mean, it frustrates me that not only does religion completely dominate these peoples' lives, but that they constantly assume it dominates everyone elses', too.

Thoughts, advice...? flames? I don't mean to be insulting to anyone's religion...I don't care if you worship Jesus or Allah or the Invisible Pink Unicorn, so long as you keep it a comfortable ten feet away from me.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. They are getting obnoxious

Their warped interpretation of our constitution leads them to believe they have the right to cram their beliefs down our throats.

[Splatter Phoenix]

5. Exactly!

Like that horrible old hag running against Hackett who thinks it's fine and dandy to put 10 Commandment monuments in our schools.

[FreedomAngel82]

19. I think I know why

Because George Bush "won" the last election and people made a big deal that "moral values" and the evangelicals won the election for him. :eyes: So they're high and mighty now and think they have the right. But guess what people who believe in other faiths have the right too. What would they think if Muslims went around and tried to convert people? They would all be marching around the White House crying first amendment. :eyes:

[Splatter Phoenix]

20. Yep,

And a lot of them would be crying "OSAMA BIN LAAAUUUUDEEEEEEHHHHN" and jumping on random Muslims. Which I do NOT officially or unofficially endorse. Don't try that at home, or anywhere else.

[knitter4democracy]

29. Trust me, they were that way before Bush.

I went to college with them, used to be one of them. I never would've done anything like that, though. I kept friends who were of different faiths than me all through that phase of my life.

So many would see nothing wrong with what that woman did, in fact think it was a nice thing to do. :eyes: Of course, she'd be offended if I gave her a prayer rope or an icon--and I'm a Christian.

[lildreamer316]

2. I know that's annoying.

But, honestly, until alot of changes happen in our culture, that will be the assumption for a long time.
How about that bumper sticker "How dare you PRESUME I'm Christian?"
Take a deep breath and thank who/whatever that you don't have to deal with her again.

[Splatter Phoenix]

6. I love that sticker...

Unfortunately, a lot of cars I see with flamboyant stickers like that are either so crummy they don't fear retribution or already scratched and dented a few times...

I do thank...err....LOL....open air, that I don't have to deal with her again, but I feel sorry for her future clients who might be Hindu or Muslim or whatnot.

...but God loves them despite their misguided beliefs...right...right?

[KarenInMA]

3. Are you the guy who refuses to bow your head when

someone says grace? Who won't wear a yarmulke to a Jewish wedding? Who wouldn't take off their shoes when entering a Muslim's house?

Just say thank you and stuff it in a drawer. My grandmother used to give me Precious Moments statues all the time, didn't want them, but I didn't insult her either.

In her mind, she is doing something nice. Leave it at that.

[Splatter Phoenix]

4. No...I happen to be a girl.

And you know how insulted they'd be if I gave them the Origin of Species? Jeez. They'd be raising hell, no pun intended...I'm just tired of people who can't even think past their own Bible to realize perhaps other people get annoyed with what the non-believers usually see as superstitious crap.

[KarenInMA]

7. I guess I don't see the big deal.

It's not like she gave you a bible. She wanted your home to be blessed, which in her mind is a good thing. Would you be offended if she gave you a rabbit's foot ot a methusa? (I spelled that wrong. I know).

[Splatter Phoenix]

18. Funny you should say that

I have a rabbit's foot in my pocket right now. I feel occasional guilt over it, even though I bought it several years ago when I was more ignorant.

I don't mean to condemn anyone for their beliefs. ANYONE. But if they give me things that assume I think the way they do....Like...

Like what if she gave me a framed picture of Monkey-Boy-President-Head! She'd want my home to be protected from teyyrists, but it doesn't change the fact that he's a hideous war monger who I despise, just like it doesn't change the fact that I personally believe Christianity is responsible for a hellah lotta suffering...

Sorry, I guess we just have to agree to disagree here.

[knitter4democracy]

30. It is a big deal.

She presumed to shove her beliefs on someone else in a setting that was difficult to get out of. Gifts from family are one thing, but gifts from someone you just paid a ton of money to for a service are another.

[theHandpuppet]

22. It was THEIR house, not the agent's

If I'm in someone else's home, as in the examples you provided, I would respect their traditions. But this agent was in someone else's home and should have respected THEIR traditions and wishes.

Yoiu see, you have that turned around. I'd wear a yarmulke to a Jewish wedding but do you think the happy couple should force me to wear one when they visit me in my own home? I'd take my shoes before entering the house of a Muslim, but in my house should I have to wear the hajib?

One's religious traditions should be respected in one's own home and not assumed upon others. Receiving precious moments figurines doesn't even approach the same ball park.

Like the author of this thread, I would be most offended by such presumption. But there is somone else who said it much more eloquently:

5 "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

--Jesus Christ, from the Sermon on the Mount

[elehhhhna]

8. Head up! You must now assume the "home agent" screwed them on

the deal. Like we say in Texas, "If they've got Jesus on the front door, there's something ugly going on out back!"

Seriously. Make sure your parents didn't just close on an ex-meth lab house or something...

[Splatter Phoenix]

12. Oh my non-god.

Never make me burst out laughing in a public place again. I'll make sure they check....

....that was so embarrassing....

[SammyWinstonJack]

9. How does one worship an Invisible Pink Unicorn anyway?

:evilgrin: I am an atheist, but the Unicorn sounds promising. :woohoo: I wouldn't have thanked the rude woman, I would have told her to keep her "present", that it had no place in my home, and she shouldn't just assume that it did. I wouldn't have done that in the past, but these *in your face* religious nut jobs are getting on my last nerve.

[Splatter Phoenix]

10. Thanks, Blue State

That's precisely what I wanted to do. XD And yes, the Unicorn...I don't know if you've heard of it, I only did recently...there's a good article about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisible_pink_unicorn

Besides, we're only gonna throw the (un)damned thing away, she wasted her money. XD

[SammyWinstonJack]

13. Thanks for the link.

Oh and welcome to DU. :hi:

[Splatter Phoenix]

16. Thanks! ^^

I'm filled with awe when I see all these 1000+ posters, and so many people far more intelligent than me. Some days I just lurk and occasionally go "oooh", "ahh", "I have no idea what this is on about"....kinda makes me feel like the president, sadly. :cry:

[Touchdown]

25. If the unicorn is invisible, how do they know it's pink?

:shrug:

Sorry, just got caught up in that.

Honestly, I'm not sure protesting or giving back a gift like this would do any good. Usually, in my experience, these people (I'm talking zealots who Jesus makes breathe every 2 seconds, so drop the "You hate Christians" crap right now! ...and you know who you are.) ...believe that they are on the true path, and if anything conflicts with that world view, then it is you, or everybody else who is being mislead by the devil, so you will probably not stop her from doing it again to somebody else. She would just judge your family as heathens who are bound for Hell...which is why your mom bought a meth lab from her.;)

This is why they haave this seige mentality. They thrive on homogeony, conformity, and strict adherance to their pushy salesmanship beliefs on everybody else (which they call "evangelizing"). She would not change. Enlightenment has to come from inside, and no outside force will make her change. You'll just offend her, and she'll cry that she's been "discriminted against", and then get some people to picket your house with "No Meth Labs" signs.

My Agent gave me a set of bath towels and a ceramic mail holder with my name on it. What's wrong with that? She is Jewish, but never pushed her beliefs on me, or anybody else. Actually, I've never met a jew who did.

[KarenInMA]

11. It's not a Unicorn, it's the Spaghetti Monster!!

http://www.venganza.org/

get it right!

[Splatter Phoenix]

14. Oh, GREAT.

This means I'm damned...

At least I won't be going where the agent's apparently going though. XD Poor consolation.

[SammyWinstonJack]

15. Unicorn or Spaghetti Monster?

Choices choices. :-)

[FreedomAngel82]

17. What I would've done was

tell her thanks for the gift but religion doesn't rule our lives and told her no thanks. You should've stud up for your beliefs. I would've done the same.

[Splatter Phoenix]

21. She would probably have backed her van out into our car as we left.

She did seem really creepy.

Maybe it was her way of giving us free home owner's insurance.

"God protect this house from termites, floods, fires, burglars and heathens. Amen."

[elehhhhna]

23. That's okay--you could ID her car by the biass fish imprint on Ma & Pa's

bumper...

[Im_Your_Huckleberry]

24. learn from your mother.

[Splatter Phoenix]

27. And constantly...

Have to deal with pushy, rude, stupid arrogant sods. I mean, what gives her the right to act that way?

[Dora]

26. Well, huh.... Here's some stories.

I recently had a baby, and my kind elderly neighbor began bringing gifts right after he was born. Pajamas, stuffed toys, and a cast resin picture frame shaped like an ark with some cute pastel animals perched on top: awwwwww. In small print on the top of the frame is the verse, "the Lord bless you and keep you" and at the bottom is its reference, Numbers 6:24.

My first thought was, "jeez, what do I do with this?" I decided to take it to the office - I needed a picture frame for my baby boy there, I like the Noah's Ark story, the sentiment expressed in the verse is one I won't argue with. As a bonus, it kept the cottoncandy Christian stuff out of my home and moved it onto my desk where it confuses my coworkers. (Anyone who knows me well knows I'm not "Christian")

Two years ago we received a housewarming gift from two people we didn't really know very well at all. It was a woven reed St. Brigid's Cross. I liked it - it was an example of craft. The note enclosed with it said we were to hang it on St. Brigid's Day, for luck. Now, luck is something I could always use more of, so we put it up. It's subtle, but it's a cross and it's hanging over a doorway in our home.

If she had given your mother a buddha figurine, would you feel differently? Or, how about a horseshoe? You say otherwise, but I suspect that it's the Christian theme of the gift that's off-putting. Your mother handled it well, and if it winds up making her $1.50 at the next yard sale, then the picture brought her a profit.

I don't see anything particularly rude in the agent's gift, unless it was accompanied by an invitation to go to church with her, or a prying question regarding personal faith.

[knitter4democracy]

32. St. Brigid's cross isn't about luck.

St. Brigid was one of the first Christians in Ireland, and she wove those crosses to help teach the Gospel (awesome saint, btw). Having a cross above your door is not to give luck but to remind you of the sacrifice Jesus made for sin and that He rose from the dead. It's to be used as a prayer aid for Christians. Of course, that gets diluted down over the centuries, but that doesn't change the message or what it really stands for.

The picture frame, I can see as not as big a deal if you aren't concerned. It's not like it's putting a Christian blessing on the child whose picture lies within. That realtor gave that to them as a way to bless their house, which is a bit more than a picture frame.

Of course, the realtor would get all freaked out, I'm sure, by our house blessing tradition in the Eastern Orthodox Church with a priest singing prayers over the family members and throwing holy water everywhere. ;)

[Splatter Phoenix]

34. O_O

People DO that? What if your computer or TV got wet?

[knitter4democracy]

37. It's not that much water.

Of course, it depends on the priest. Our last one really likes to make sure it's been blessed. ;) Still, everything's okay.

Eastern Orthodoxy: the mystical arm of Christianity. *giggle*

[Dora]

39. Was this rude of me?

A friend of mine recently married. We gave the bride and groom a gift certificate to Target and a cast-resin buddha figurine. (We are buddhists, my husband more so than I, but we both practice, and were married by a buddhist monk.)

Would the buddha figurine inspire as much offense as Christian gifts?

[knitter4democracy]

40. To some, yes.

Some Christians really feel that Buddhism is idolatry (I know, I know, but they do), and they'd be very upset that they'd been given an idol. I've known some who really thought that way and wouldn't buy Kachina dolls for that same reason. We're supposed to stay away from idolatry, so they run from anything that might be according to their beliefs. Chances are, you knew the couple well enough to know that it was okay to give to them.

Of course, some Christians would be more offended by the Target certificate, big nasty corporation and all. I'm just saying . . . ;)

[knitter4democracy]

28. I'm offended, and I'm a Christian.

Wow. There are so many things wrong with that, I don't even know where to begin. I do know that, if that had happened to me, I would write her a very clear letter returning it, thanking her for her obvious concern and all but letting her know that I was offended.

Heck, ours just gave us a gift cert. to a local restaurant. Why couldn't she just do that? It's not offensive (there's veggie stuff there, too--biggest menu in town), and it helps get someone used to the community.

Wow. Just wow. That's so bad.

[Splatter Phoenix]

31. Thanks...

I hope in return I wasn't too bigoted-sounding against Xians....I have a few who are my friends and I respect their beliefs as long as they respect mine...

Your idea has a lot of merit--how about a compromise? She could give us gift certificates to Church's Chicken. ^_~

[knitter4democracy]

33. Nah, you're fine.

Trust me, you aren't bigoted-sounding at all. Of course, what should any of us expect with our faith's history and all?

Ooh--I have an idea: call your local Eastern Orthodox Church and ask the priest to go to her home and bless it. That'll really freak her out. ;)

[Splatter Phoenix]

35. Oh, definitely....

I don't know if she'd suspect me or not.

I like your siggy, too, by the way, it's interesting and unique. :D

[knitter4democracy]

38. It's a cool website, too.

http://www.knittersagainstbush.com

Also, a personal fave (Stitchin' Sedition's site):

http://www.wisforwomen.com (quite kick-ass for knitters, and I've got one of the "Make Sweaters Not War" shirts--need the bag, though)

[Terran]

36. I'd say just take it for how it was meant.

It sounds like the agent sincerely meant well, and was merely trying to express it in a way she knew. I don't see what's to be insulted about. Your parents should simply not put it up if the actual sentiment bothers them. I wouldn't either in their shoes.