OCBuckWife
I am the evil monkey in your closet
How do others deal with this? I have a brother in-law who is a fairly recent convertee to a Christian religion. He used to be a somewhat practicing Buddhist. His wife grew up in the same religion, at essentially the same church they now both go to.
Here's the thing. While they say they respect our choice not to be a part of a Christian based religion, or any particular organized religion in general, they do things like:
1. Give us books for Christmas that are religious themed such as "Relationship principles of Jesus." OCBF and I have been together 9 years. Give me a book about relationship advice when YOUR MARRIAGE is older than the one year you have under your belt, how about that? I wouldn't even CONSIDER giving them a book like that. Not only because it isn't my place to comment to them about their relationship choices but also because again, if I don't believe in the power of a Christian God or Jesus, how exactly will living my life according to some principles some Christian author attributes to him help me?
Suppose I were to do the same, and give them a book written by Anton Le Vey on how to be an Ethical Witch? Would it be different? If so, how, and for that matter, why?
2. During discussion about bad things that may or may not be happening in our lives the tell us they will pray for us. I know it's supposed to be a nice gesture, but frankly, if we don't believe in the power of prayer, how exactly is that really going to do anything for us? It makes them feel they are doing something nice I'm sure but it seems like a palliative statement to me. It isn't advice or helpful tips. I also feel a bit of dis-repect in it too. I mean, I don't tell them, when they are having bad times, that I will write their names on the Scroll of Wishes and burn it in the blood of my next sacrificial goat. (Not that I sacrifice goats. Just saying.)
Don't get me wrong, they are family and I will love them but it really has made for some awkward holiday moments. And I would love to hear how others in similar situations deal with this.
Here's the thing. While they say they respect our choice not to be a part of a Christian based religion, or any particular organized religion in general, they do things like:
1. Give us books for Christmas that are religious themed such as "Relationship principles of Jesus." OCBF and I have been together 9 years. Give me a book about relationship advice when YOUR MARRIAGE is older than the one year you have under your belt, how about that? I wouldn't even CONSIDER giving them a book like that. Not only because it isn't my place to comment to them about their relationship choices but also because again, if I don't believe in the power of a Christian God or Jesus, how exactly will living my life according to some principles some Christian author attributes to him help me?
Suppose I were to do the same, and give them a book written by Anton Le Vey on how to be an Ethical Witch? Would it be different? If so, how, and for that matter, why?
2. During discussion about bad things that may or may not be happening in our lives the tell us they will pray for us. I know it's supposed to be a nice gesture, but frankly, if we don't believe in the power of prayer, how exactly is that really going to do anything for us? It makes them feel they are doing something nice I'm sure but it seems like a palliative statement to me. It isn't advice or helpful tips. I also feel a bit of dis-repect in it too. I mean, I don't tell them, when they are having bad times, that I will write their names on the Scroll of Wishes and burn it in the blood of my next sacrificial goat. (Not that I sacrifice goats. Just saying.)
Don't get me wrong, they are family and I will love them but it really has made for some awkward holiday moments. And I would love to hear how others in similar situations deal with this.
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