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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be pissed off with these two women...

140 replies

teanntoastinbed · 26/05/2023 22:49

I was out for an early dinner in a local restaurant with my toddler. We were sitting in the garden, when two women and their young children came In. As is normal there was a little bit of chit chat and interaction.

There was something slightly awkward and odd about them but I couldn't put my finger on it. One of the women was more 'friendly' than the other and was asking a lot of questions... I'm fairly sociable so ended up disclosing I was a single mother and worked full time. I then asked if they were sisters, but apparently they were friends who had met through church. The penny only dropped after one of them asked me if I had a faith and I said I was CofE and then she started to explain their religion to me and how their church didn't allow women to wear trousers and would I consider a change of faith. I was brutally honest and said I had very liberal views and would never contemplate a faith that didn't share my liberal views or persecuted people because of their sexuality or lifestyle choices.

One of the ladies then continued to talk about homosexuality being sinful and how only god can save you and it is only god who can allow you into heaven! Luckily the waitress came over with the bill and I said my awkward goodbye and left. However, now I've had time to think about it I am really pissed off with these two blatant Jehovah's Witnesses, who were basically only chatting to me to brainwash me jnto their way of thinking. I am in no way vulnerable or susceptible to people like this, but many are. I hate the fact that they only started talking to me because they obviously wanted to bring the conversation round to religion! I'm well aware my opinion sounds anything but liberal, and I'm all for a chat about religion but not one that is forced down my throat in a restaurant I'm paying money to eat in and with people speaking in derogatory terms about marginalised groups! Phew... rant over!

OP posts:
Floralys2 · 26/05/2023 23:01

This is why I don't talk to strangers

A religious stranger is ten times worse

Divorcedalongtime · 26/05/2023 23:04

We have Jehovah’s Witnesses missionaries around here and I see them do this to passers by . Not the judging part but the trying to persuade people to come to their church.
sounds an unpleasant experience for y oh

Lulubo1 · 26/05/2023 23:08

Sorry you had to deal with that, but that doesn't sound like Jehovah's Witnesses. I used to work with a few JW's and they were allowed to wear trousers, and they don't believe they all go to heaven. They were always nice to me and never pushy. Are you sure you weren't taking to Plymouth Breathren? That's the only religion I know that doesn't wear trousers. But still, I feel bad that you were blindsided like that.

Original poster
teanntoastinbed · 26/05/2023 23:17

@Lulubo1 oh gosh, now I feel
Bad saying JW! That's my ignorance showing... whoever they were they were weird! They said something about they worship god, not human's interpretation of god! I said 'the church you're in now you're allowed to wear trousers' they both replied 'no' then I said but you do wear trousers if you want to outside of church and they were like 'no we actually don't'!

OP posts:
Lilyhatesjaz · 26/05/2023 23:22

I don't think they were JW I know several and the women often wear trousers. I worked with a woman who was a JW and she never pushed her religion on any of us.
I also know some Plymouth brethren people and they tend to keep very much to themselves rather than looking for converts, they also always wear headscarves.

JudgeRudy · 26/05/2023 23:27

I think most people who initiate a conversation with a stranger generally have an agenda. Even the ones that say 'l was just being friendly' are often bored/nosey/curious.
These women want you to join their religion. Maybe that bloke fancies you, maybe this person is mentally ill, maybe that person wants to offload....l wouldn't find these people any more or less aproblem than any other random stranger imposing themselves on me. Having said that I'm not averse to being blunt. I find the best line to get rid of people is 'Why are you telling me this?'

Catsmere · 27/05/2023 04:17

They said something about they worship god, not human's interpretation of god!

That’s rich! Every religion in the world is humans’ interpretation/invention of god/s. Who do they think wrote the Bible? 🙄

Bloody rude of them pushing their beliefs on you like that.

Emmamoo89 · 27/05/2023 04:20

JH do like to push their beliefs on you. Those saying they don't are wrong!

Emmamoo89 · 27/05/2023 04:21

W*

Catsmere · 27/05/2023 04:29

Jehovah’s Hitnesses sounds perfect 😆

Haywirecity · 27/05/2023 04:34

I think most people who initiate a conversation with a stranger generally have an agenda.

I don't think that's true at all. I've chatted with loads of people I don't know. And I know friends and family members have too.

GuitarsUnderTheStars · 27/05/2023 04:46

I know a family who are JW. The women wear trousers and they’ve never pushed their religion onto me. Less to do with the religion and more to do with the individuals, when people do this in the setting you describe. The only person I’ve ever had pushing their views on to me was a Catholic woman, but again, she as an individual was the issue. Plenty of Catholic people don’t do that.

I wouldn’t be pissed off, I’d have just firmly said that their views don’t match my own and then ignored them and concentrated on my child.

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 27/05/2023 04:49

JudgeRudy · 26/05/2023 23:27

I think most people who initiate a conversation with a stranger generally have an agenda. Even the ones that say 'l was just being friendly' are often bored/nosey/curious.
These women want you to join their religion. Maybe that bloke fancies you, maybe this person is mentally ill, maybe that person wants to offload....l wouldn't find these people any more or less aproblem than any other random stranger imposing themselves on me. Having said that I'm not averse to being blunt. I find the best line to get rid of people is 'Why are you telling me this?'

My agenda when chatting to a stranger is to pass the time to day in a pleasant way. Not shanghai them into a faith, charity donations, volunteering etc.

madeinmanc · 27/05/2023 04:52

They weren't JWs, they can wear trousers.

awakeeveeynight · 27/05/2023 04:56

Did they say they were JW? I agree they sound like some other denomination

fantasmasgoria1 · 27/05/2023 05:30

When Jehovah's witnesses are going door to door they always wear skirts or dresses. At home they wear whatever they want to. They stand in public places now with a rack on wheels full of their literature but wait to be approached now but I can't remember why that is. I have a friend who left the religion when she was 16 but her parents still practice it so I shall ask her at a reasonable hour!

barmycatmum · 27/05/2023 05:37

Omg how horrible ☠️ lucky save that you had finished your meal and could leave.
I cannot believe the cheek of some people - but to me religion (or lack of it- I’m not practicing and it’s no one’s business!) is a very private thing

Blondewithredlips · 27/05/2023 05:45

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

BigChesterDraws · 27/05/2023 05:56

In today’s edition of “Things That Didn’t Happen”….

ChiChaNaYubi · 27/05/2023 06:02

Plymouth breatheren. There’s a load of them near me. Strange bunch!

PoussinBoussin · 27/05/2023 06:45

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

barmycatmum · 27/05/2023 06:46

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This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Bahaha! Religious incontinence- I love this 😂😂

loislovesstewie · 27/05/2023 06:46

I'm always a Buddhist when they call. I start to quote the sayings of Buddha to them. Makes it quite interesting. But I have recently written to the Kingdom hall telling them not to contact me, after they started sending letters during lock down. I know that doesn't help you, but it does irritate me, the way certain religious cults have to invade my privacy and personal space. And, as you say,you might be a vulnerable person.

AintNobodyGonnaStopMyShine · 27/05/2023 06:50

I always tell them I'm a pagan lesbian. I'm not. I'm a bisexual atheist but it's more effective.

Chickenkeev · 27/05/2023 06:52

Tbh it doesn't matter what religion they were, they sound like utter dicks. People should be left to eat in peace without having to endure pontification about anything. I know the feeling of not wanting to be rude etc but you need to learn to assert your boundaries and just get up and walk away if people are chatting shite at you!