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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To get shirty with the next Christian who offers to pray for me on the street.

94 replies

Spero · 21/04/2015 14:30

This has now happened twice within the past three months. On the first occasion it was a lone man, and just now two young men together.

They both commented that they noted I was 'struggling' to walk and could they pray to Jesus for me? On both occasions I have replied chirpily that I am a life member of the BHA but if Jesus can grow me a new leg, they've got a convert.

So is this a 'thing' now? Is there a Christian sect that encourages this activity? This has only ever happened in the last few months. And would I be unreasonable to tell the next lot to fuck off? Because I think if I wanted someone to pray for me (unlikely) I would ask them, not just hope I would get stopped on the street as I go about my own business....

OP posts:

KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon · 21/04/2015 14:33

I think offering to pray for someone is really rude.

Combination of smugness, power and suggesting a person is incapable of praying for themselves.

Moonatic · 21/04/2015 14:34

Bit rude to tell them to eff off, I would say. Surely a "No, thanks" would suffice?

Original poster

Spero · 21/04/2015 14:39

But I am getting cross now. Twice I have been stopped going about my business by some po faced Christian who is basically saying 'the only thing that interests me about you is that you are clearly disabled.'

I have tried being polite and it is leaving me feeling quite cross and upset. Ok, I won't go nuclear just yet. But the next lot are going to get a lecture on their presumption and rudeness.

I am a humanist so I don't hold much stock by praying from anyone. I would rather be doing.

OP posts:

jeee · 21/04/2015 14:46

I think your reply is absolutely brilliant - I'd stick with that. You retain the moral high ground, and completely discombobulate them. But I certainly don't think telling them where to get off is unacceptable either.

I think randomly offering to pray for someone is actually the height of bad manners. And I go to church.

jeee · 21/04/2015 14:49

Having just read your second post, I'm actually leaning to the sweary option. Their rudeness (and they are being rude) is upsetting you. At the very least a lecture is an appropriate response.

But your first response did make me .

Original poster

Spero · 21/04/2015 14:49

They did indeed look a bit discombobulated. But fair play, the first chap gave it a good go and prayed for my 'hips to become aligned'. The second lot, I just walked off (badly obvs) and left them to it.

But so far no results! so not looking good for my conversion I am afraid.

OP posts:

Mrsjayy · 21/04/2015 14:51

I had a JW saying they would pray my wheelchair bound friend she would walk in heaven her reply thats nice are the randomers or are they maybe a spread the word on the street people the 2 young men might have been anyway its quite rude of them id just smile and keep going

KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon · 21/04/2015 14:51

You could offer to pray for them not to be a patronising dickwad.

honeysucklejasmine · 21/04/2015 14:52

It is rude to approach someone, especially so to comment on why. My church does pray on the streets but just set up a stand with a few signs and wait for people to approach them. No hassling or calling out.

Mrsjayy · 21/04/2015 14:53

I think your reply was funny and spot on keep saying that.

Original poster

Spero · 21/04/2015 15:09

Ok so general consensus is don't tell them to fuck off.

If this becomes a more frequent thing should I just get some cards with my response on and hand them out? I think continued chirpiness is going to be difficult ....

OP posts:

squoosh · 21/04/2015 15:13

It's a weird and intrusive thing for people to do and I'm not surprised it pisses you off. Who wants to be made the object of someone's pity? Like some poor Victorian orphan.

I think you're 'new leg' response was perfect.

squoosh · 21/04/2015 15:13

*your

HirplesWithHaggis · 21/04/2015 15:18

Are they American? I'm wondering if they're Mormons on a mission.

SoonToBeMrsB · 21/04/2015 15:19

I was walking through the centre of Edinburgh a couple of years ago, minding my own business, when an older man said "I think this might be of interest to you..." and handed me a booklet on the "sins of the flesh"! Apparently I look like a godless slag then (nowt wrong with that )

TSSDNCOP · 21/04/2015 15:23

It's like an epidemic, they're out praying left and right now the sun's out. I hot prayed at in Waterloo station the other day. Talk about your waste of time, I am so far beyond saving it's ridiculous.

Dare you to drop your leg next time, and say "you've made it bloody worse!"

squoosh · 21/04/2015 15:25

SoonToBeMrsB maybe he was trying to engage you in some sins of the flesh!

Original poster

Spero · 21/04/2015 15:26

Nope, not Mormons. All three had English accents, looked under 30.

Maybe next time I will engage in a bit of theological debate. What precisely will they be praying for?

We all know Jesus isn't going to grow me a new leg. I don't think any amputee has woken up one morning with full compliment of limbs thanks to the Baby Jesus.

So what is the praying FOR? I hope I didn't look like some shambling wreck of humanity, I was popping off to the shops with the dogs and had at least brushed my hair this morning.

So is it the assumption that disability = shit life, we must pray for you.

Right, the next lot are going to find themselves needing to justify their intervention. I am going to ask what church they are from and who is sending them on this 'mission'.

I haven't written angry complaint letter for a few weeks now and feeling the need.

OP posts:

SoonToBeMrsB · 21/04/2015 15:26

I didn't think of that Squoosh, maybe it's a new pick-up technique

bereal7 · 21/04/2015 15:27

Well, their offer comes from a good place and your reply doesnt ..yabu.

It's annoying but just say 'nno' and keep on going

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/04/2015 15:29

I take their pamphlets and say, "arrgghhh, it burns". Childish, I know.

Original poster

Spero · 21/04/2015 15:30

Mmmm. But that can't be a get out of jail card for everything can it.

Look, it came from a 'good place' ok! I didn't mean to be a twat! I meant well...

I am not sure that it necessarily follows that I have to continually put up with well meaning twats. Sometimes people need an education.

OP posts:

squoosh · 21/04/2015 15:30

I think Spero is in a better position than a random person on the street to judge whether she needs to be prayed for.

PeeNoMore · 21/04/2015 15:31

Certain churches (usually the happy, clappy, 'power of the spirit' kind) like doing this. I witnessed it once when a woman in a wheelchair and her daughter were sitting in a café minding their own business when a young man walking past to go out announced that he had been told to pray for her. He asked permission, put his hand on her head like a bloody pope and prayed, then left them to it.

I really wanted to say something but couldn't as the women seemed a bit nonplussed but not actually annoyed or anything. Maybe they took it as a kind gesture whereas I would have found it intrusive, patronising and preying on people's hopes.

Original poster

Spero · 21/04/2015 15:31

I like that suggestion MrsTerryP. Perhaps I could writhe a bit and fall to the floor. Checking pavement first for any obvious detritus.

OP posts:

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