Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Enlighten Me · 06-19-2003, 08:41 PM

The man sitting next to me didn't get a meal because his original flight had been cancelled so he caught our flight at the last minute. There were not enough meals for those "extra" passengers. It was kind of awkward to be eating next to a person with no food, so I offered him my dessert which he accepted gratefully. Later, he said, "Because of your act of charity towards me, may I assume that you are a Christian, like me?" (So only Christians are capable of being charitable? I'm thinking....)

I proceeded to share reasons why I'm no longer a Christian, and he proceeded to witness, saying that he knows God is real because... A) his father was once sick and got well with no medication, B) his own life has been so smooth and things have worked out so well for him. He tried every trick in the book to "save" me, but I managed to debate, refute or
gently criticize nearly everything he said. Finally, he said, "You are such a NICE lady, and I just want you to have the fulfilling life I have as a Christian!"

I responded by saying, "You know....I"m sorry, but that is just such an arrogant attitude for you to believe that you have a more fulfilling life than I do, and that's another thing I find offensive about Christianity...." He apologized and we quickly changed the subject since we were both eager to be polite. He actually was a very nice man who is probably praying for me....That's OK---I'm thinking for him....

pariah · 06-19-2003, 08:51 PM

its good that he saw how nice you were and then you told him u werent a christian...maybe u opened his eyes and he will deconvert down the road. being polite to christians is the best policy.

southernhybrid · 06-20-2003, 03:55 AM

At least you had the chance to witness to him, in a manner of speaking. Now he knows that not every nice person is a Xian.

Bill Snedden · 06-20-2003, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Enlightened Lady
The man sitting next to me didn't get a meal because his original flight had been cancelled so he caught our flight at the last minute. There were not enough meals for those "extra" passengers. It was kind of awkward to be eating next to a person with no food, so I offered him my dessert which he accepted gratefully. Later, he said, "Because of your act of charity towards me, may I assume that you are a Christian, like me?" (So only Christians are capable of being charitable? I'm thinking....)

Let me see if I understand. You gave this man airplane food and he considered it an act of charity?

It sounds like you handled the situation very well indeed. At bottom, perhaps he's learned that even non-Christians can be charitable...

Regards,

Bill Snedden

conkermaniac · 06-20-2003, 05:24 AM

Enlightened Lady, I commend you on being such a kind-hearted person and on dealing with this Christian in a polite, yet critical, way.

AquaVita · 06-20-2003, 06:26 AM

I think this would be a better fit in Secular Lifestyle and Support.

Oh, and well done! It's good to see his preconception about non-religious people challenged.

Enlighten Me · 06-20-2003, 07:18 AM

Ha-ha, Bill....Yes, it was actually a quite delicious, chocolately, brownie-like dessert. My husband and I shared one, so mine was "leftover."

justwonder · 06-20-2003, 08:21 AM

How come everytime I fly all I get is a bag of pretzels?

Kintaro · 06-20-2003, 08:55 AM

Score! xians in the plane :P

I'm sure there are some in the buses I take, but we're listening to bemani music loud enough you can hear its groove outside of the headphones from some satanic device called an MD player.

Maybe if we start a semi-inflammatory discussion we can start that can be heard by the 6 closest people :P

1 point more for secularism :P

CX · 06-20-2003, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by southernhybrid
At least you had the chance to witness to him, in a manner of speaking. Now he knows that not every nice person is a Xian.

I think the best way to promote a nontheistic viewpoint is precisely by demonstrating that nontheists are friendly, courteous and moral people. And by challenging theistic belief in a polite and nonconfrontational way to anyone who's interested in having such a discussion.

06-19-2003, 08:41 PM	#1
Enlighten Me Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Ca. Posts: 1,109	I was witnessed to on an airplane flight.... The man sitting next to me didn't get a meal because his original flight had been cancelled so he caught our flight at the last minute. There were not enough meals for those "extra" passengers. It was kind of awkward to be eating next to a person with no food, so I offered him my dessert which he accepted gratefully. Later, he said, "Because of your act of charity towards me, may I assume that you are a Christian, like me?" (So only Christians are capable of being charitable? I'm thinking....) I proceeded to share reasons why I'm no longer a Christian, and he proceeded to witness, saying that he knows God is real because... A) his father was once sick and got well with no medication, B) his own life has been so smooth and things have worked out so well for him. He tried every trick in the book to "save" me, but I managed to debate, refute or gently criticize nearly everything he said. Finally, he said, "You are such a NICE lady, and I just want you to have the fulfilling life I have as a Christian!" I responded by saying, "You know....I"m sorry, but that is just such an arrogant attitude for you to believe that you have a more fulfilling life than I do, and that's another thing I find offensive about Christianity...." He apologized and we quickly changed the subject since we were both eager to be polite. He actually was a very nice man who is probably praying for me....That's OK---I'm thinking for him....

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06-19-2003, 08:51 PM	#2
pariah Banned Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: الرياض Posts: 6,456	its good that he saw how nice you were and then you told him u werent a christian...maybe u opened his eyes and he will deconvert down the road. being polite to christians is the best policy.

06-20-2003, 03:55 AM	#3
southernhybrid Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: heavenly Georgia Posts: 3,862	At least you had the chance to witness to him, in a manner of speaking. Now he knows that not every nice person is a Xian.

06-20-2003, 05:24 AM	#5
conkermaniac Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: American in China Posts: 620	Enlightened Lady, I commend you on being such a kind-hearted person and on dealing with this Christian in a polite, yet critical, way.

06-20-2003, 06:26 AM	#6
AquaVita Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Dallas Posts: 4,351	I think this would be a better fit in Secular Lifestyle and Support. Oh, and well done! It's good to see his preconception about non-religious people challenged.

06-20-2003, 07:18 AM	#7
Enlighten Me Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Ca. Posts: 1,109	Ha-ha, Bill....Yes, it was actually a quite delicious, chocolately, brownie-like dessert. My husband and I shared one, so mine was "leftover."

06-20-2003, 08:21 AM	#8
justwonder Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: VA USA Posts: 172	How come everytime I fly all I get is a bag of pretzels?

06-20-2003, 08:55 AM	#9
Kintaro Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 247	Score! xians in the plane :P I'm sure there are some in the buses I take, but we're listening to bemani music loud enough you can hear its groove outside of the headphones from some satanic device called an MD player. Maybe if we start a semi-inflammatory discussion we can start that can be heard by the 6 closest people :P 1 point more for secularism :P

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