[Siren]

I think th OP was polite. I don't feel it was right for the child to do it and actually find it impolite to let a child interview someone on the spot. If my child asked me to let them do it, I would say no. Not at a venue like a department store and to a stranger. Imo posting a small poll online or FB and letting thechild read it.

[computacat]

While doing my food shopping this morning, a young boy (approx9 yrs. old) approached me and said he wanted to ask me a few questions.
Questions 1: Do you live in the community? Answer: Yes.
Question 2: Do you attend a church in the community? Answer: No
Question 3: If you died right now, where would you go? Answer: Nowhere. I would be dead!
I then said: With all due respect to your beliefs, I don't believe in God, so excuse me.

This is just WRONG! Dad was a few feet away watching the whole thing. If I wanted my soul saved I would go to a church! Do NOT send your child up to me in Wally World while I am shopping! Your beliefs are yours, Enjoy! But don't bother me with it!

The child asked some good questions and never once mentioned 'God' nor 'saving souls'.

[Jest]

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.

Why would you deny the Lord by saying you are an Atheist and then you deny His word by saying the Bible is a book of fiction. Why not just tell them the truth? IF you do believe in something just tell them you have your own faith and beliefs and thank them for trying to share the Word with you, but at this time you can not discuss it with them.

[Mujerpeligrosa]

Computacat~The boy did not mention "God" or saving souls because I did not allow it to get that far. With the questions posed, it was obvious where the conversation was headed. Let's not pretend to be ignorant here.
I have been approached many times on the subject of religion (more frequently since moving to the south) and am well aware of the direction of such conversations.
I politely ended the conversation before it got to an uncomfortable place.

[pcmommy]

Jest, because it is not the business of anyone what my religious beliefs are. I do not like people trying to sell their version of what is the correct religious belief ever. Besides, if they are so strong in their beliefs, my pointing out that they cannot prove their religion to be superior should not shake their religious foundation, but it might make them think about the challenge I gave them.

[computacat]

I will agree that setting up children for this type of encounter with an adult is inappropriate. You acted prudently to end the discussion in short fashion. Hopefully, someone will talk to the accompanying adult to correct this behavior.

[PreMed Mom]

Computacat~The boy did not mention "God" or saving souls because I did not allow it to get that far. With the questions posed, it was obvious where the conversation was headed. Let's not pretend to be ignorant here.
I have been approached many times on the subject of religion (more frequently since moving to the south) and am well aware of the direction of such conversations.
I politely ended the conversation before it got to an uncomfortable place.

When someone talks about church, they are talking about God...... What do you learn about in church?? Puppies and kittens, or God??

[Siren]

Some churches aren't about God at all.


Speaking of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster...
http://www.venganza.org/

[clsan]

Oh my goodness! That poor boy...

[RealtyPro]

I totally agree with everyone who posted against religion and against spreading their beliefs. I do not allow them to knock on my door at home, I will not allow them to approach me anywhere in public to sell me their beliefs. Here's a news flash, it's not welcome anymore, keep your beliefs to yourself. What I find most disturbing about the posts on this topic that are defending religion is the use of words like "we are taught" and "we are told" and quotes from a book written by so many people, so many years after the so called events that it reads like a he said she said religious enquirer. It's so sad that they teach you to regurgitate that stuff at the drop of a hat and they teach you to go out into the world and recruit but they don't teach you to think for yourself, question everything and they don't teach you the meaning of brainwashing ....... look it up.

[lancethepoolguy]

Another reason why there should be a test before you are allowed to reproduce.

[Starfyre]

I totally agree with everyone who posted against religion and against spreading their beliefs. I do not allow them to knock on my door at home, I will not allow them to approach me anywhere in public to sell me their beliefs.

And you have that right, as we have to practice our faith.

Here's a news flash, it's not welcome anymore, keep your beliefs to yourself.

I could ask you to do the same.

What I find most disturbing about the posts on this topic that are defending religion is the use of words like "we are taught" and "we are told" and quotes from a book written by so many people, so many years after the so called events that it reads like a he said she said religious enquirer.

Have you studied history in school? Have you read such classics as "Homer" and "The Iiliad"? Those were penned at the same time as the Bible, which also is a historic book - a historic book of faith. Unless you have actually read it, studied it, you really cannot discount it. In doing so, then you might as well also negate all the history books we teach our children to read.

It's so sad that they teach you to regurgitate that stuff at the drop of a hat and they teach you to go out into the world and recruit but they don't teach you to think for yourself, question everything and they don't teach you the meaning of brainwashing ....... look it up.

While I have the utmost respect for your beliefs, I would hope that you would understand that we have freedom here, and that includes our freedom to practice our faith.

As to brainwshing, I would much rather be "brainwashed" into being a better person, treating people with love and kindness, to serve the community and others, to always reach for the best in me, and to give more then I recieve.

I respect your right to not believe, but you have to respect our right to believe.

[Starfyre]

Another reason why there should be a test before you are allowed to reproduce.

Are you so confident that you would pass such a test?

[Jane Doe]

Another reason why there should be a test before you are allowed to reproduce.

Are you so confident that you would pass such a test?

< thinks hard> I don't know?

[Palm.Coaster]

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.

Many don't want to hear about church or God anywhere, but, a person trying to spread the word never knows who they will affect, as was with you.