I had a run in with a person of another religion (Jesus Christ, reject)

Somkid · #1 02-24-2008, 07:07 PM

I took my family to the fitness club/swimming pool, private club yesterday to enjoy a nice family day. I dropped my wife and daughters off at the front entrance and I parked the car and proceeded to walk to the entrance.

As I got close to the entrance I was approached by a young Western man in his early 20's I would guess . He pretty much blocked my way and said something along the lines of "can I talk to you about God and Jesus Christ". I replied without thinking "sorry man, I'm not interested." He looked a bit shocked and said "can I ask why?" I replied "I don't believe in god and I'm a Buddhist as are 95% of the population of this country." before continuing on my way.

Now, I am feeling kind of bad about it. Firstly, even though I didn't want to hear his pitch about how Jesus loved me, and I wasn't really rude, I have this lingering guilt that I could have been nicer and less offhand. Secondly, I suppose my unease has arisen from saying I don't believe in God. Although I don't believe in the supreme creator put forward by the bible, I think that's the first time I've actually said it out loud in a confrontational way.

Don't really know if I even have a question maybe just wondering what others thought of my reactions.

Another first were the words "I am a Buddhist." Never said that before either without being asked directly.

Melancholy · #2 02-24-2008, 07:12 PM

There is nothing to feel guilty about.
They approached you, so the onus was on them to be rejected.
No one should ever make you feel bad about not wanting to hear something you do not believe in and it is those that approached you that should deal with it, not you.

Francine · #3 02-24-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melancholy

There is nothing to feel guilty about.
They approached you, so the onus was on them to be rejected.

When strangers or even the people in my vanpool ask about my religion or politics or taste in women, I say "No comment." And when those topics come up I resist the urge to chime in. I don't mind talking about those things on RF, because this is a controlled environment where it is possible to construct a totally fake persona to keep people from tracking me down in real life.

Somkid · #4 02-24-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francine

When strangers or even the people in my vanpool ask about my religion or politics or taste in women, I say "No comment." And when those topics come up I resist the urge to chime in. I don't mind talking about those things on RF, because this is a controlled environment where it is possible to construct a totally fake persona to keep people from tracking me down in real life.

I kind of think that is what I should have done but these people really annoy me because of past dealings with them in my own country which is one reason I moved here not to mention the hell I went through where I worked for years.

methylatedghosts · #5 02-26-2008, 07:12 AM

Heh. I would have probably done the same thing

MysticSang'ha · #6 02-26-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Somkid

I took my family to the fitness club/swimming pool, private club yesterday to enjoy a nice family day. I dropped my wife and daughters off at the front entrance and I parked the car and proceeded to walk to the entrance.

As I got close to the entrance I was approached by a young Western man in his early 20's I would guess . He pretty much blocked my way and said something along the lines of "can I talk to you about God and Jesus Christ". I replied without thinking "sorry man, I'm not interested." He looked a bit shocked and said "can I ask why?" I replied "I don't believe in god and I'm a Buddhist as are 95% of the population of this country." before continuing on my way.

Now, I am feeling kind of bad about it. Firstly, even though I didn't want to hear his pitch about how Jesus loved me, and I wasn't really rude, I have this lingering guilt that I could have been nicer and less offhand. Secondly, I suppose my unease has arisen from saying I don't believe in God. Although I don't believe in the supreme creator put forward by the bible, I think that's the first time I've actually said it out loud in a confrontational way.

Don't really know if I even have a question maybe just wondering what others thought of my reactions.

Another first were the words "I am a Buddhist." Never said that before either without being asked directly.

Next time when someone asks if they can share the Gospel with you, try suggesting that they have permission to do so only if you can share the Dharma with them.

Peace,
Mystic

Bouncing Ball · #7 02-26-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francine

When strangers or even the people in my vanpool ask about my religion or politics or taste in women, I say "No comment."

Funny, I would answer atheist, right-alligned and fine taste

Somkid, you did fine though. You were not interrested and you told him so. You couldn't have stated the truth more. You were being honest!

Abdon · #8 02-26-2008, 10:13 AM

I'm a Christian and I would have done the same thing(though obviously not the disbelief in God or the I'm a buddhist bit

), that kind of behaviour is rude and bad mannered in my opinion, I love Jesus but I don't want to be accosted by people like that when I'm trying to go about my business. I also actually think it demeans Christianity that these people think it is necessary to act like that.

zenzero · #9 03-01-2008, 05:33 AM

Friend Somkid,
Being a follower of Buddha find lack of compassion in your behaviour there.
Similarly had an experience where a Methodist priest here invited an Evalgelist at his church.
I on the otherhand read and try and understand all religions as ways / paths for me god is a concept which is both right and wrong like all other things Truth is always in the middle.
However I accpeted his invitation to the service at his church that day but prior and after the service met this evalgalist from US at his house.He as was his method [the only way he knew] was to psychologically pin others by declaring them sinners and which he tried with me too. Told him that I am no sinner and he has top proove me that I am one. Besides he wanted to convince me that being a sinner the only way to salvation was accpeting Jesus as the only god etc. I told him that God is unversally one which I accept including Jesus but not exceptionally. Finally he settled down seeing his bag of tricks not working in any way.
Simalrly, we are all fellow men here on earth and should try and make everyone understand TRUTH atleast try and understand that ourselves first; which automatically spreads around.
Love e& rgds