Christian Teen Implies She’s Better Than Her Friends, Friend Tells Her To Shut It
Everyone’s entitled to their own beliefs and, when it comes to religion, this is part of what contributes to the rich diversity of the human race. It only becomes an issue when people keep trying to convert others to their religion and won’t stop proselytizing.
For one Redditor, things became a little too much after her friend kept bringing Jesus into every conversation, even at the school lunch table. She finally snapped, telling her friend to lay off the bible bashing. Now she’s asking the internet if she’s the jerk.
More info: Reddit
A group of teens are in the same friend group, but one is a devout Christian
Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)
The religious teen was subtle about her views at first, then got annoyingly enthusiastic about it
Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)
She started to bring religion and Jesus into every single conversation
Image credits: freepik (not the actual photo)
She even created a separate IG account telling people how to live a holy life
Image credits: Equivalent-Food2138
Final straw arrived when she went on a religious rant at lunch time and the poster put her in her place, but now wonders if she was the jerk
OP begins her story by telling the community that she and Jessica are part of the same friend group at school and that she’s never had a problem with her being Christian before. She adds that, while Jessica was deeply devout, she was never overbearing with it.
The problems arose after Jessica showed up at the friends’ lunch table with her bible and kept going on about how God is great, then started an IG account dedicated to bible posts and telling people how to live a holy life.
During one of Jessica’s lunchtime religious rants, OP told her that, while she was fine with Jessica’s beliefs, she and the other friends were over hearing about Jesus, God, and the bible. Jessica responded by asking OP, “Are you suggesting you’re better than Jesus?”
This was too much for OP, who told Jessica sarcastically, “Look, Jesus loves you, but he wants you to shut the [heck] up.” OP carried on, accusing Jessica of subtly suggesting she was better than the rest of the friend group because she was so religious.
Jessica hasn’t talked to OP since, so now she’s wondering if she didn’t perhaps overstep the mark with her comments and has asked Reddit if she’s the jerk in the whole mess.
Image credits: Liza Summer (not the actual photo)
Almost all of us have experienced people who seem deeply committed to converting you to their religion. They could be a stranger in public, someone knocking on your front door, a family member, or close friend.
They probably have the best intentions, but you’re just not interested. So, how do you get people like this to back off and quit pushing their beliefs on you?
In her article for wikiHow, Nicolette Tura suggests a few ways to stop people from trying to convert you to another religion.
If you’re dealing with a loved one, Tura recommends changing the subject, trying not to be defensive, explaining to them you’re not interested in changing, and allowing them to express their beliefs while being clear about your boundaries on the topic.
In the case of someone coming to your home, simply don’t answer the door. If you do answer, be polite. Being rude may only encourage them in their efforts to ‘show you the way’.
Let them start their script; it could make it seem less rude when you say you’re not interested. Definitely don’t try to engage them in debate. Try to be patient, but firm, in declining their offer for religious guidance.
For the stranger approaching you in public, Tura recommends trying to ignore them, avoiding eye contact, and even pretending to be on a phone call. If these options don’t work out and the person persists, politely tell them you aren’t interested, make up an excuse about urgently needing to be somewhere else, and always keep moving.
What do you think about the situation OP finds herself in? Should she reach out to her friend, or leave her to her preaching ways? Let us know your opinion in the comments!
Redditors came to the teen’s defense in the comments, with some even quoting bible verses she could use on her overzealous friend
Poll Question
Thanks! Check out the results:
Jesus sent the disciples to preach, and He told them that if any do not receive the Word, to shake the dust off their sandals and walk away. Matthew 10:14. In other words, if someone doesn't want to hear it, stop shoving it down their throats and leave them alone!
Shyla, once again, thank you. More Christians should be the kind of Christian you are: kind, faithful, supportive, humane, and principled. LIVE by the tenets of your faith; do not shove them down others' throats. Spread the Word of God if asked, but don't proselytize. I always appreciate your insights and comments on posts that concern religion, as it's something that tends to get me a little "het up" (bad childhood experiences with religious family.) A calm view and opinion on religion helps.
Load More Replies...Christians have killed 20 million people in the name of their religion. They worship a omnipotent good who is perfectly good while giving cancers to newborns. Organized religions shelter paedophiles. List is endless...
Ever since I learned about just how many children were r*ped and murdered in the name of teaching them about God, I stopped being able to even remotely believe in theur version of it. "Your" all loving, all powerful God let his own worshippers r*pe and murder children, and made it pretty much LEGAL to do so; in his name. Either they aren't all powerful, or aren't all loving. One or the other. While I don't criticize people practicing their own religion, christian or not, its none of my buisness what you do and hold dear. Once they start putting it in my face though I don't hold back.
Load More Replies...Do you ever wonder if "Christians " ever consider that wearing the item used to murder God's son might offensive and hurtful to God like if I wanted a supreme being to know that I loved and adored him/her I don't think I would ever present myself to him/her wearing the weapon we as humans used to murder said child idk maybe it's just me
"If Jesus had been killed twenty years ago, Catholic school children would be wearing little electric chairs around their necks instead of crosses." - Lenny Bruce
Load More Replies...Jesus sent the disciples to preach, and He told them that if any do not receive the Word, to shake the dust off their sandals and walk away. Matthew 10:14. In other words, if someone doesn't want to hear it, stop shoving it down their throats and leave them alone!
Shyla, once again, thank you. More Christians should be the kind of Christian you are: kind, faithful, supportive, humane, and principled. LIVE by the tenets of your faith; do not shove them down others' throats. Spread the Word of God if asked, but don't proselytize. I always appreciate your insights and comments on posts that concern religion, as it's something that tends to get me a little "het up" (bad childhood experiences with religious family.) A calm view and opinion on religion helps.
Load More Replies...Christians have killed 20 million people in the name of their religion. They worship a omnipotent good who is perfectly good while giving cancers to newborns. Organized religions shelter paedophiles. List is endless...
Ever since I learned about just how many children were r*ped and murdered in the name of teaching them about God, I stopped being able to even remotely believe in theur version of it. "Your" all loving, all powerful God let his own worshippers r*pe and murder children, and made it pretty much LEGAL to do so; in his name. Either they aren't all powerful, or aren't all loving. One or the other. While I don't criticize people practicing their own religion, christian or not, its none of my buisness what you do and hold dear. Once they start putting it in my face though I don't hold back.
Load More Replies...Do you ever wonder if "Christians " ever consider that wearing the item used to murder God's son might offensive and hurtful to God like if I wanted a supreme being to know that I loved and adored him/her I don't think I would ever present myself to him/her wearing the weapon we as humans used to murder said child idk maybe it's just me
"If Jesus had been killed twenty years ago, Catholic school children would be wearing little electric chairs around their necks instead of crosses." - Lenny Bruce
Load More Replies...
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