Religion

SeattleVet

(5,700 posts)

34. I met up with an old Air Force buddy a few years ago for lunch.

Sat Dec 8, 2018, 03:14 PM

Dec 2018

Had a pleasant time chatting about past activities, and every so often he or his wife would mention that they had 'dedicated their lives' and were 'witnessing'. My wife and I totally ignored those comments and kept the conversation going, on track. We became friends on Facebook...for almost a week, before he sent me a message along the lines of "Sorry...you post too much anti-christian and anti-conservative stuff!" and unfriended me. He's a huge MAGA guy in Eastern Washington.

The only other somewhat uncomfortable encounter I had was many years ago when I was stationed at Fort Meade. I was in a local supermarket to grab a few things and a woman came up to me after seeing the "American Atheists" patch on my denim jacket. She looked shocked, then asked, 'Can I pray for you?'. I said something along the lines of, 'Whatever floats your boat', and then it was MY turn to be shocked when she grabbed my hands, got on her knees, and started praying out loud. I shook loose and told her to just please stay away from me.

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What Is the Proper Reaction to a Personal Statement of Religious Belief? [View all] MineralMan Dec 2018 OP

Hi MineralMan - I completely agree. Pendrench Dec 2018 #1

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. MineralMan Dec 2018 #2

You are very welcome. Pendrench Dec 2018 #29

Kinda makes you wonder about the sincerity of belief when they have to wear it on their sleeve Major Nikon Dec 2018 #3

There is strength in numbers, it is said. MineralMan Dec 2018 #5

I suspect such people want to draw you into a conversation about religion marylandblue Dec 2018 #4

That's my suspicion, too. I won't play, though. MineralMan Dec 2018 #6

Most people don't, so they are probably used to it marylandblue Dec 2018 #7

There's that Major Nikon Dec 2018 #10

For most, it seems to me anyway, Glamrock Dec 2018 #8

That's a good point. MineralMan Dec 2018 #9

Especially in a small town in the South. Pope George Ringo II Dec 2018 #22

+1 mitch96 Dec 2018 #35

You are better than I; I find it hard not to roll my eyes and guffaw mockingly. malchickiwick Dec 2018 #11

I just never find that engaging such people in a discussion MineralMan Dec 2018 #12

"I'm not sure why you wanted me to know that." cyclonefence Dec 2018 #13

That's an invitation to proselytization. MineralMan Dec 2018 #14

Oh, you bet it is cyclonefence Dec 2018 #15

Oh, I used to entertain myself that way, too, but the older I get, MineralMan Dec 2018 #17

The thing is, cyclonefence Dec 2018 #47

Interesting you should bring this up... 2naSalit Dec 2018 #16

Chatty dental hygienists...Yuck. MineralMan Dec 2018 #18

I desire any conversation 2naSalit Dec 2018 #19

If you felt trapped, or uncomfortable with the situation The Genealogist Dec 2018 #20

I plan to 2naSalit Dec 2018 #23

Glad you are The Genealogist Dec 2018 #24

I'm grateful for the warning Cartoonist Dec 2018 #21

Before I left Calif. Bayard Dec 2018 #25

If I could fart on demand...maybe that? Eliot Rosewater Dec 2018 #26

It depends on the context. The Velveteen Ocelot Dec 2018 #27

"Every one has right to their own beliefs with the expectation of NOT FORCING IT ON OTHERS" beachbum bob Dec 2018 #28

Made me think of this Alpeduez21 Dec 2018 #30

Applause, obviously. Iggo Dec 2018 #31

Very slow applause: MineralMan Dec 2018 #32

"thanks for the warning" is a good response nt msongs Dec 2018 #33

I met up with an old Air Force buddy a few years ago for lunch. SeattleVet Dec 2018 #34

When someone says to me, "I'll pray for you," I counter with MineralMan Dec 2018 #36

I can never think of that one fast enough. Iggo Dec 2018 #46

"Oh, my stars! I forgot my fudge!" Then run away. Squinch Dec 2018 #37

LOL! Let them think about that for a while. MineralMan Dec 2018 #38

My father used to have a thing for when people invited him to Squinch Dec 2018 #39

I like your father. Yes, I do. MineralMan Dec 2018 #40

He was a wonderful person. I was very lucky. Squinch Dec 2018 #41

I never give one. guillaumeb Dec 2018 #42

As strange as this might sound Rob H. Dec 2018 #43

There's nothing magical about religion Mariana Dec 2018 #44

And isn't that the most interesting thing of all? MineralMan Dec 2018 #45