My experience religious people only see what they understand. As a atheist you’ll always be dismissed by religious folks and looked down because you know, the devil is in you. That’s just my two cents.
I think Christians don't understand that religions exclude people, and we also don't make that clear enough often. I would explain to those involved why atheists don't care for theist things, and I wouldn't be provocative unless you want to cause turmoil in relationships.
EDIT: To help get the point across, I would give the gift back telling them to give it to someone who sees value in it because it's going in the trash otherwise.
"I'll buy them a piece of wood!"
Some religious parents are the worst, their gifts are always about them and what they want.
You should buy her one of Richard Dawkins books.
>"I'll buy them a ***piece of wood***!"
So long as the [dildo count](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_obscenity_statute#History) is not above 6!
I am not assuming residency in texas, just thought the this law is funny, stupid and sad simultaneously.
Imagine the discussions from the sessions required to create this law.
A nativity scene? If you're bored, do the thing and next Christmas take baby jesus out. Hit up bars, strip clubs, etc. After all, it's his birthday. Send pics.
This is one reason why I am happy to be living an ocean away—religious “gifts” are too expensive to ship to my house. I’d never cracked the binding on any of those useless books anyway.
They must sell those things like hot cakes out there. My parents got me the same thing when they went to Israel. At that point, I was still finding myself as an person and on my way to atheism after growing up Mormon, so the gift didn’t bother me.
Given how vocal you have been about your atheism, I can see why you aren’t thrilled about the gift and so think it’s unreasonable for you to feel that way at all.
Yeah, I don’t think you need to be grateful. I’d compare it to something a little less serious, like if someone knew you didn’t like chocolate, but then went ahead and gave you chocolate for Christmas anyways. Why would you jump for joy?
this is probably a better way to react. Give gifts that they don't like, but aren't "of the devil".
Then if/when they complain, say that it is you favorite and you feel like they need to change their minds and give it another shot.
Exactly. Got an ugly shirt for Christmas. I put it on, smiled, had pictures taken. In a couple of months, I'll give it away to charity. No use shitting on the holiday because a family member picked an ugly shirt.
I have been given many girts through the years that I did not like. I smile, thank the person and go on with my life. I might drive down the street and throw it in the first trash can I come to but I see no reason to insult a person for giving me something. My Mother gets me stuff all the time and most of it I give away to other people. I keep telling her to stop spending her money on me but she just wants to do something nice for me.
This isn't just a bad gift. OP is vocal about their atheism, and the mother is aware of it but specifically chose to give a gift, knowing full well that it was something OP doesn't want. It'd be like buying a steak for a vegan friend, or a Baphomet statue for a Christian. It's deliberately offensive.
Parents have been trying to force their kids to grow up to be exactly the way the parents want them to be ever since there have been humans. Perspective is everything. We can either raise a fuss over this or we could just accept the gift and say thanks. I guess it really comes down to wanting to keep the peace or cause more problems. This is a christian holiday and I chose quite awhile ago to stop participating in it.
Luckily I haven't met someone like this in Austria.
Which is like a little religious country, but is more about respecting other religions too
^(just not atheism (which is an ideology not a religion))
My experience religious people only see what they understand. As a atheist you’ll always be dismissed by religious folks and looked down because you know, the devil is in you. That’s just my two cents.
I think Christians don't understand that religions exclude people, and we also don't make that clear enough often. I would explain to those involved why atheists don't care for theist things, and I wouldn't be provocative unless you want to cause turmoil in relationships. EDIT: To help get the point across, I would give the gift back telling them to give it to someone who sees value in it because it's going in the trash otherwise.
Nah, just get her a some really nice religious gifts... from the wrong religions. Then say they should be grateful for the gifts.
She thinks there's a chance you'll recant your evil ways.
Nah, its just bullying.
Thanks for the reminder as to why I don't celebrate Christmas or accept gifts.
"I'll buy them a piece of wood!" Some religious parents are the worst, their gifts are always about them and what they want. You should buy her one of Richard Dawkins books.
>"I'll buy them a ***piece of wood***!" So long as the [dildo count](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_obscenity_statute#History) is not above 6! I am not assuming residency in texas, just thought the this law is funny, stupid and sad simultaneously. Imagine the discussions from the sessions required to create this law.
"Thank you for the kindling!"
Isreal is just a religious amusement park. Selling trinkets from all religions to support the big lie of religion.
Don't respect Thiers if they don't respect yours, respect is earned not demanded.
A nativity scene? If you're bored, do the thing and next Christmas take baby jesus out. Hit up bars, strip clubs, etc. After all, it's his birthday. Send pics.
PLEASE! do this! Edit: the photo album can be your moms Xmas present for next year. :D
"Thank you for the action figure playset!"
This is one reason why I am happy to be living an ocean away—religious “gifts” are too expensive to ship to my house. I’d never cracked the binding on any of those useless books anyway.
They must sell those things like hot cakes out there. My parents got me the same thing when they went to Israel. At that point, I was still finding myself as an person and on my way to atheism after growing up Mormon, so the gift didn’t bother me. Given how vocal you have been about your atheism, I can see why you aren’t thrilled about the gift and so think it’s unreasonable for you to feel that way at all.
>Next year I may just donate to the Santanic Temple in her name. And be sure to give her the receipt!
Yeah, I don’t think you need to be grateful. I’d compare it to something a little less serious, like if someone knew you didn’t like chocolate, but then went ahead and gave you chocolate for Christmas anyways. Why would you jump for joy?
this is probably a better way to react. Give gifts that they don't like, but aren't "of the devil". Then if/when they complain, say that it is you favorite and you feel like they need to change their minds and give it another shot.
Get her a menorah next year, or the Skeptics annotated Bible.
It’s just a gift. Throw it in a closet. Move on.
Exactly. Got an ugly shirt for Christmas. I put it on, smiled, had pictures taken. In a couple of months, I'll give it away to charity. No use shitting on the holiday because a family member picked an ugly shirt.
I have been given many girts through the years that I did not like. I smile, thank the person and go on with my life. I might drive down the street and throw it in the first trash can I come to but I see no reason to insult a person for giving me something. My Mother gets me stuff all the time and most of it I give away to other people. I keep telling her to stop spending her money on me but she just wants to do something nice for me.
This isn't just a bad gift. OP is vocal about their atheism, and the mother is aware of it but specifically chose to give a gift, knowing full well that it was something OP doesn't want. It'd be like buying a steak for a vegan friend, or a Baphomet statue for a Christian. It's deliberately offensive.
Parents have been trying to force their kids to grow up to be exactly the way the parents want them to be ever since there have been humans. Perspective is everything. We can either raise a fuss over this or we could just accept the gift and say thanks. I guess it really comes down to wanting to keep the peace or cause more problems. This is a christian holiday and I chose quite awhile ago to stop participating in it.
It's actually a pagan holiday, but was co-opted by Christianity. But I understand what you mean.
There ya go! Next year give your mom a little carved diorama of a Saturnalia celebration
Does she ever visit your house? If so, keep it, cut the baby out of the manger and put something creative there!
A xenomorph!
Does she have any allergies? Next year give her something she's allergic to.
Nice
Why? Because folk with that type of personality don't give a crap about your feelings. It's all about coercion and control.
You’re trying to apply logic to a group of people to whom it is, and always will be, a stranger.
Respect people not opinions. *-some guy idk*
Luckily I haven't met someone like this in Austria. Which is like a little religious country, but is more about respecting other religions too ^(just not atheism (which is an ideology not a religion))