Does anyone else find this a bit odd?

[galaxy]

ds was 12 today and invited his girlfriend to the pics. She wanted her best friend to go too so we paid for lunch and the pics for the 3 of them.

We weren't expecting him to get presents so were pleasantly surprised when he did.

The friend gave him a "Christian" video together with a pamphlet all about God. Her mum and dad had given it to her to give to him.

He thanked her of course but I think found it very odd. I do too. We were bought up as churchgoers but I wouldn't dream of giving someone I've never met a religious gift.

I know it's not important in the grand scale of things and it as lovely that they wanted to give him a present, but anyone else find it a bit strange or is it just me?

Galaxy it is a bizarre way to go about things IMO, it would not occur to me to use a birthday present in this way but each to their own I suppose. What was the girl who gave the present to him like? Did she seem ok or was she a bit ?odd??

I think it's extremely rude - a. because it was done under the guise of a birthday present when actually it's something that promotes their views so something that benefits them (at the most basic level by making them feel good) and b. because they hadn't bothered to find out your views or your son's views ? you might already be enthusiastic church goers, as far as they know, or members of a different religion. Very intrusive.
I understand that some people feel the need to preach the gospel, but there are ways of doing that openly and with respect. This is underhand, approaching a child before asking the parents whether that is OK. And frankly it demeans the message ? it's far more likely to cause offence or bewilderment than actually make someone see the light!

I would have been exasperated!
However, this does go to the heart of the dynamic between those who have absolute beliefs, and those who do not. Of course, from an evangelicals pov, getting material to non-believers is of paramount importance - little point in wasting videos on the devout! And from the pov of an agnostic, athiest or believer-in-something else, it's unwelcome / a waste of time.

But I think there is no need to be 'offended'(not that you have said you were, galaxy). The last few weeks have been fraught with rows about 'offence' from Jerry Springer The Opera, to the play in Birmingham - and if someone is doing something with good intent, all that is required is for those who don't want it to say 'no thanks', and not take it personally.

I'm not offended and more importantly neither is ds. Just wanted to see if others thought it was a stange thing to do.

The girl was lovely. The best friend of his current g/friend who is very lively whilst the best friend was quiet and quite shy. The parents gave her the pamphlet and video to give to ds (none of it was wrapped up) and also a couple of spare leaflets to give to friends. (They were 60p each according to their "Scripture Union" price sticker).

I was a member of an Evangelical church in my teens, a born again Christian who had the full submersion baptism and stood up in front of the whole Church and did the "How I found God" speech. I was also a member of the school Christian Union but I never tried to inflict my beliefs on anyone else directly.

I agree with Edam. I would not have been too happy if this was given to my child and would actually have returned the gift

I think it's very odd and I'd be a bit pissed off too if someone gave that to my child.

What on earth was his reaction!?

I wasn't there when he was given it but I don't think he was particularly phased. He knew she went to Church. He's a polite kid so just thanked her.

When I collected them from the cinema, I asked what they were going to do when they got back to our house. the girl suggested they watch her video (which I didn't know about then) and ds just said they didn't have long enough so would listen to music instead.

The funny thing was that they were looking at his cards and there was one of a Koala with batteries shoved up his butt. The caption being "Victor was a little shocked when someone mistook him for a Furby". She seemed quite offended by it bless her.

PMSL!!!

I love those cards Galaxy, My friend had 2 consecutive accidents with a tube of immac and for her birthday I bought her the card with the rabbit behind the chicken and hte caption "her bikini line was fine, but she was having trouble getting rid of the hare round her arse" - seemed very apt.

PMSL again!!!

Got to do some work now!

OMG!! (sorry) - yes, very odd - I'd be quite annnoyed I think!

AGHHHHHH HELPPPPPP!!! Just had a phone call from the "God Botherer" friend as dh calls them. ds asked her out today (looks like the other one dumped him) and she's taking him to a Church youth group play on Friday night. I have to keep it as a surprise.

What do I do? Are they gonna brainwash him? dh has freaked out.

I'm sitting here giggling.

why not make your own video on the joys of being aetheist/agnostic/just not that bothered as a special gift for them?

I'd be livid. I bugs the hell out of me when people try to convert me - imo its rude, patronising and not a little bit freaky. Also I don't understand the Jehovahs - if only 140k are going to survive and go to the holy place of holiness why risk diluting your chances by converting more people? ITS ILLOGICAL!!!

[subsides panting with venom emoticon]

he'll be fine! bored maybe but fine!!!!!
I wondered about the bringing a friend on their date? do you think her role was supposed to be chaperone? and the gift, a kind of 'god wiil strike you down if you touch our daughter' thing?

When i was a teenager i went out with a boy whose parents were moonies and we had to pray before we ate at his house and we weren't allowed to go into his room, even to just listen to music.it didn't last!!!

i've always wondere dthat nomore!!!!!!
jehovahs witnesses always seem to have such a joyless life to me.

hi have just found this thread.
and i have to say that i agree with tomcat, i had reglion put on me as a child and i didnt have a choice to say no, i hated it and i still do. i dont think that they should have given it to your ds at all, or to anyone else for that matter.
sorry really hate people who shove reglion on oyher people..

my uncle in law is a jehovah. and he could do misery in the olympics. but then he prob doesn't believe in the olympics... AARGH!

Alexsmum. The friend was the God Botherer. However in the space of 5 days, she's now the girlfriend I said I didn't think it was serious!

Just told dh and he says to tell ds he can do anything he wants in life e.g. be gay, drugs, drink, smoke as long as he doesn't find God He was joking about the drugs etc of course.

ds came in and said he only asked her out at the end of the school day today and she said she's ask her mum...LOL. She obviously did and the mother's probably rubbing her hands in glee thinking "OOh a potential convert" as he gets an invite there straight away.

My parents are witnesses, and yes they believe in Jesus!! In fact he is a major part of the religon. My parents ain't miseries though! In fact they enjoy a laugh and a joke

If they believe in Jesus, why don't they celebrate Christmas? Or is it just that they don't believe he was the son of God?

Well at least you don't need to worry about him knocking her up when he's 13....

lol

Galaxy, find out when new GF's birthday is & send DS along with 'Life Of Brian' video
Should be good for a giggle!!!