[PreMed Mom]

Well said devie.
I don't like it when people approach me about religion. I'm a big girl....I know what's out there. If I want some religion, I know where to find it. And its not at Walmart!!!

[Mujerpeligrosa]

I wish I had been more quick to think, and answer...."why do you ask?" "Where are your parents?" "Why are they sending you to talk to total strangers about something so personal? "It's not a good idea to talk to strangers!" Maybe that would make the boy think about what his father was making him do. And I'm not referring to the religious aspect of it all, only the talking to strangers (especially about something so personal.)

[vietnamvet]

This might have been a Church school project kind of like when kids have an assignment to ask people their views of/on many subjects. I am working on getting a subject for a student doing a report. This student is home schooled. But Walmart or any other private business enterprise, I have to agree, is not the place to ask questions of anybody. The op IMO really did the right thing. If the questions asked might bring an answer a parent may object to, then don't have your child asking the question whose answer you will object to, duh!

[Ziroz]

You handled this much more diplomatically that I would have. THE LAST thing I want is for some 9 year old twerp to start quizzing me on religion.

I would have told him to mind his own damn business and to get lost after the second question came out of his mouth (and his dad, too).

[Jest]

I find it very unfortunate that people find it so bothersome when other go out of their way to preach the word of the LORD. There is never a wrong place to do it. I understand it being a little unsettling to some members but to say where is this child's parent and why would they allow them to do it is not the question I would be asking.

A 9 year old child today is not the same 9 year old child of decades past. There is a ton of information they are receiving that we never got. I have cousins that are more intelligent and knowledgeable than I ever was. They can debate and hold their ground on many subjects that adult usually speak about. Sometimes we just need to listen to realize how intelligent they are.

What I find most disturbing is the people who claim to be faithful find a problem with it. We are taught to spread the word not to hide from it.

The original Poster given the chance i am sure would have changed their response. I always love to hear when someone says they do not want religion pushed on them. Just because someone is trying to bring up a religious conversation it does not mean they are pushing it upon you.

[Starfyre]

[quote=Jest;1529979]I find it very unfortunate that people find it so bothersome when other go out of their way to preach the word of the LORD. There is never a wrong place to do it.

What I find most disturbing is the people who claim to be faithful find a problem with it. We are taught to spread the word not to hide from it.

Even Gods word teaches us there is a time and a place.

Luke 9:1-5
"1Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. 4And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. 5And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them"

Jesus knew not everyone would welcome the message. So He prepared His disciples for this time, by instructing them to just move on. We are to spread the Word, but there is a time and place for it, and a way to do it. Allowinf a child to do it without the parent stepping up when it was not recieved, did not teach the child the right way.

[Ziroz]

Just because someone is trying to bring up a religious conversation it does not mean they are pushing it upon you.

I beg to differ.

If a stranger approaches me in Walmart and out of the blue begins discussing religion, you will never convince me that they are not, in fact, "pushing" their beliefs on me.

Go find some other soul to save. I'm not interested.

[Marykins]

Really, I don't want them knocking on my door I don't want them bothering me when I am out. I don't push my religious beliefs on anyone and I don't want anyone else pushing theirs on me.

[december]

Agree with Zirox and Marykins I also don't want them driving up next to me in the morning or evening when I'm walking and trying to give me "something to read when you get home". Had two ladies do that a couple of days ago, had no idea who they were till she put the window down, had an SUV type vehicle with heavily shaded windows all around (except the windshield which was out of my line of site) couldn't tell if there was one person or several, if they were males or females, made me uneasy, when she put her window down and started with her speel, I said no thank you I'm not interested and I told her that IMO driving up next to someone who couldn't see into the vehicle wasn't a good idea, she said oh we didn't mean to frighten you we are spreading God's word, please take the brochure to read perhaps it will help you understand. I again said no thank you and kept walking. Same thing happened a few months ago but the persons were men. Maybe I'm just overly caucus (sp) but don't like people I don't know coming into my space.

[CrankeeYankee]

they should probably be doing this at Winn Dixie...I think they have a Save 10 souls for $10 special this week and a fuel perk bonus!

[Morpheus]

This happened to me one time.
Some teenagers knocked on my door in my younger days. They told me they were out "witnessing".
I wasnt going to church at the time, and living a terrible life fueled with drugs and alcohol.
When I saw their courage and conviction for their beliefs it touched me deep in my heart
It ended up being a turning point in my personal life.
I will never forget them.
Not sure how many people they "aggravated" that day, I guess that it was the right time and the right place for me.

[Morpheus]

they should probably be doing this at winn dixie...i think they have a save 10 souls for $10 special this week and a fuel perk bonus!

hahahahahahaha:d

[pcmommy]

Mujer~ I don't like people approaching me about religion unless I am at a religious function. In the past, I have said, "No thank you". Most times that works, but sometimes the people are very pushy and refuse to stop. That's when I ask them to prove to me that their religion is correct. They obviously cannot PROVE it as none of us can prove that our beliefs are right. We can only feel and believe that our beliefs are right. If they insist on arguing further, I tell them that I am an Atheist (I'm not), and ask them to prove to me now that their religion is correct. When they try to use scripture, I stop them and remind them that they cannot use the bible as "proof" because I don't believe the bible is anything more than a set of fictional stories (I don't). That usually gets them to stop talking (mostly shocked) long enough for me to walk away laughing.

[Ziroz]

Mujer~ I don't like people approaching me about religion unless I am at a religious function. In the past, I have said, "No thank you". Most times that works, but sometimes the people are very pushy and refuse to stop. That's when I ask them to prove to me that their religion is correct. They obviously cannot PROVE it as none of us can prove that our beliefs are right. We can only feel and believe that our beliefs are right. If they insist on arguing further, I tell them that I am an Atheist (I'm not), and ask them to prove to me now that their religion is correct. When they try to use scripture, I stop them and remind them that they cannot use the bible as "proof" because I don't believe the bible is anything more than a set of fictional stories (I don't). That usually gets them to stop talking (mostly shocked) long enough for me to walk away laughing.

I love this approach! Logic always prevails!!!!!

[PreMed Mom]

I don't try to convince people about NOT going to church, so don't try to convince me to GO to church.....