How do you handle people who try and get you to go to church with them?

In this new (to me) small town it seems like if I talk to anyone for more than 10 minutes, they are asking me to come to church with them.

Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against people who go to church, but it isn't my cup of tea at all.

some of my new neighbors are getting pretty pushy about it and I'd hate to tell em what I really think like "I like your Christ, but haven't seen much of Christians that I'd like to be a part of" or Sorry, religion just gets in the way of my spirituality I've found" or "Do they let Taoist/Pagans in?"

:rofl:

How do you handle pushy Christians?

You know whats funny is the cool Christians never invite people. I am a liberal Christian and when I was new in town I was also invited to church by many people, but it was always to fundamentalist or conservative churches. Been there, done that, so I just said no, not what I am looking for, thanks for asking.

It took me several years to find a church community - I visited a few by myself but didn't know any one. Finally I met a woman at a peace rally and found out she was a quaker and I invited myself to go with her!

are really starting to creep me out

and they're trying to win a prize :evilgrin:

my hubby went to a Baptist church that did that exact thing

preferrably a really nice toaster.

I think a big screen TV would work though!

...but that's just me...:)

I'd not want to step on any toes yanno

I wouldn't call them pushy but they've told my SO and I that we're welcome to attend services at their church.

I simply tell people, "Thank you but I don't attend church." If they ever push for more information (which is actually rare in my experience), I tell them that my spirituality is between me and god (not that I particularly believe in a god but that tends to shut 'em up).

that's a big diff from VERY rural New Mexico

If I told em I don't go to church, half of them would shrink back and watch for the horns to pop out of my forehead

:rofl:

(and I don't mean on the horns on your head) but I have used the same line in many areas - I've lived all over the place, including some pretty conservative, small-town places.

Those who shrink back and look for horns never seem to be the ones I want to be friends with anyway. :evilgrin:

:banghead:

Followed up by, "Jesus Christ on a sidecar!"

it's getting to that point very soon unfortunately

:rofl:

and say you won't accept anything less. :evilgrin:

that would clinch it for sure LOL

in the sanctuary.

:evilgrin:

:spray:

:rofl:

opportunity

:rofl:

the funny thing is the only people who DON'T invite me to church are the AAs I've met :evilgrin:

:hi:

Just say, "no thank you" and move on to another subject. If they won't let you change the subject, tell them you have something to do and walk away.

too bad too, cuz I really like HIM it's her and her nosy self (she called me when I was in LA to tell me that there was a truck she didn't recognize in my driveway-- it was the pest control guy :banghead: )

and she didn't even know I was out of town :argh:

And that you would greatly appreciate if they would respect that decision. There are lot's of people in the world who don't take a flat no for an answer. Asking them to respect your decision would be the polite way of saying "Don't fuckin' ask me again!!". If they don't get it with the respect line, then I'd kick them and run away while yelling "HAHA, TAKE THAT CHURCHY!!".

not the most discrete and diplomatic suggestion but I am really liking the "HAHA" part


:rofl:

and if they are allowed because you've got some you'd like to do if that's okay

seriously, just politely say no thank you.

:evilfrown: O8)

:scared:



:pals:

:evilgrin:

I bet they won't be asking you anymore!

;-) :evilgrin:

or if they make you buy it there.

the same idea I think :shrug:

Clinton or otherwise as in Wilson?

:pals:

to both :D

good to meet ya!

:pals: :yourock:

wouldn't mind going (but only because they want to be with their friend, not the church part)? They look at you cross-eyed if you say your family really isn't into that. So instead you say you'll stick wirh your own religion which invariably leads to the fact that you really don't attend church. & on & on until all the kids start calling your kid a demon in school because she won't discuss belief in Jesus, Blah, Blah.
So, now when they ask I say "Nope, we're Busy."

We live in Alabama.

who grew up as a non-Mormon in Utah

it really isn't a big deal until the kids get older

then you kind of have to let them make some of their own decisions.

I know it was really hard being non-Mormon when 95% were Mormon.

Now I live in the Baptist bible belt as you do.

Don't know the answer other than nope.

or we're sacrificing a cat so we can't make it!

;)

Yes, I will allow religious exploration if & when our daughter expresses a serious inclination. Right now, it is like someone asked her to go to the movies. She has had the vacation Bible school experience & hasn't begged to go beyond that.

You crack me up SL

yes it was!

My son is only 6 and I don't look forward to the day when he starts getting invites to other kids Churches

We tried to find the MOST liberal Church in town to take him to for the socialization and who knows.

I'm not particularly a Christian by definition, in fact I don't know what the hell I am. A Deist? A Pagan?

At any rate, cat sacrifices are a good way to avoid conflict- at least telling people about that.

Hardcore atheist. So is my fiance. But her mom is a soft Christian that likes doing the community thing on xmas eve with her church. Its sort of her family meets her extended family.

The church in questionis nondenominational and rather laid back so its mostly harmless. Plus I have developed an annual tradition of debating the existance of god with the minister's husband (ammicably).

Oh and this year there was a bit of humor involved when the baby Jesus went missing in the creche. None of the heathens in attendance were responsible.

Its really a question of how hard is the propoganda pushed for me. If it was a more hardcore church I would not have gone. But as its as laid back as it is the event is more about community and singing songs. There was no preachiness and in fact the minister covered the history of the songs instead of sermonizing about their religious significance. It was quite enterntaining.

If you have loved ones remember that their church is more to them than just a propoganda emitting center. It is a part of their community and their life. Balance your reaction to the invitation against the importance to them. If you expect to be hard pressed and attempts to convert then politely beg off. But if not and if its a mostly harmless experience then feel free to go and have some fun.

My boyfriend was stark naked in front of the door, and I'm sure his silhoutte could be seen through the textured glass window, by people outside in the darkness.
He ran away and made me answer the door. I couldn't help but laugh when I told them "no thanks".

after a stellar rant
http://media.skoopy.com/misc/atheist_vs_mormons/

you have to hit the play button

Plus she was going to 11pm service last night. No thanks. She didn't even end up going. :)

to get away!

you could have snuck out the back of the church and had a night on the town!

Well, Christmas eve is kind of quiet except in the church

but you got your meds!

that's a nightmare that story.

I thought for about 30 min that our bags didn't make it back to Arkansas and because of all the fear mongering I packed my meds in a suitcase so I don't have to explain anything to anyone. ROFL

Luckily the bags somehow made it to Arkansas before we did. I guess they got an earlier flight that wasn't delayed.

:rofl: :hide:

I went to NH in October. My bags didn't make it. With my meds in it of course! Thankfully someone I was with visiting had some Zoloft I could use. The next day the bags showed up, delivered to the door.

Maybe I should permanently attach the bottles to my person with duct tape? :rofl:

Ya know the Feds say we should have a 2 month supply of meds in case of something like a pandemic, yet, HMO's won't give you more than 30 days usually unless you do it by mail, but with Zoloft and other meds, a lot of docs won't do 90 day scrips due to the risk of OD, etc. abuse, etc.

So what's the answer?

Duct tape for sure!

:rofl:

because somebody told them that people who don't go to church end up in hell.

Best thing to do is keep saying no, and pray that they one day see the light.

"No thanks, you go. But say hi to Jesus for me." :)

just say something really confusing that'll make them blink too much to talk. "I'm a dyslexic agnostic insomniac and I have to go contemplate whether or not there's a dog," or "I strictly follow the practices of Luckist Sheepism and the cornerstone of your church does not properly align with the Luck-channeling Step Patterns" should do.

Works well for other venues, as well.:bounce:

being asked to go to church so much, then watch your back. In small towns like that (I live in one) you have to watch your back. Get used to "You know you are going to Hell, don't you?" and "I can't let you not go to Heaven. You are coming to church with me." I've had every possible horrible thing happen to me for saying no, but all 1000 churches in my home town have finally gotten the message. They curse me to the lowest bowels of Hell now, but I ain't going to any of their stinking right wing hate mongering so-called Christian churches. I don't believe as they do and forcing myself to try any of them again would be akin to spiritual abuse again. It follows a pattern. If you were abused before and you broke away, you tend to fall for it again at different points in your life until you reach the day when you fight like hell to avoid them and their abuse. If they were true Christians, they might ask, but they wouldn't be so pushy about it like that. Give them what for. That's what I do now, then duck and grow more eyeballs on my back.

They seem to not be getting the hint that you are not interested. You'll probably have to be persistent for a while.

I've met some pushy people in my day and I've always just responded with a smile and a no thanks. It's polite and to the point. :)