Deep Thoughts: A story from my day

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

A story from my day

Yesterday I bought a Diet Dr Pepper from a small kitchenette. As I checked out, I noticed that the cashier was wearing a large silver cross. I saw a bible on the counter next to her. I was alone. The place was quite. She smile at me and said hi, I returned her greeting. I had the drink in one hand and a dollar in the other. The moment felt odd. I knew something was coming from the way she looked at me.

Instead taking the dollar from my hand, she reached for the bible. She said, "I'll give you a discount if you let me share a verse from the bible with you." I declined politely. She tried again with, "OK, how about I give it to you for free? It is only one verse, I promise."

I dropped the dollar on the counter and walked out without talking to her. Christians are so frustrating. How would you have handled this situation?

Comments (28)

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ollysk2 · 845 weeks ago

I would've told her I'd pay extra if she let me quote Camus at her. ;)

1 reply · active 845 weeks ago

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jen 26p · 845 weeks ago

I'd probably have said "no thanks, I've read it before" the first time. When she kept pushing, though, I think I'd have been less polite...

Then again, when people try to come up to me on the street and proselytize, I generally laugh at them and walk away.

1 reply · active 845 weeks ago

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mikespeir · 845 weeks ago

This is outrageous! Where did you get a Diet Dr. Pepper for a dollar?

2 replies · active 845 weeks ago

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Eric · 845 weeks ago

What I find is so interesting is how much Christians talk to you. I have been following your posts for over a year and I have never had as many Christians talk to me as you have. Are you some sort of magnet? I don't know, maybe some others could chime in on this. Do you have this many Christians talk to you?

2 replies · active 845 weeks ago

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TheL0LSuit · 845 weeks ago

I would have put the drink down and walked out...

2 replies · active 845 weeks ago

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Will · 845 weeks ago

I'd have asked to speak to her manager. I'd then have explained that her vendor was giving out unauthorised discounts...

1 reply · active 845 weeks ago

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Carolyn Ann · 845 weeks ago

I would have done the same as you - it's something that's worth quibbling over. She made an offer that had a condition attached - you refused her offer. Her mistake was pursuing the offer - that's when it crossed from being an offer to an imposition.

Life is too short to argue with people like that. It's not like anyone can change their minds!

Carolyn Ann

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Raytheist 108p · 845 weeks ago

I would have replied, "Sure, read Romans 14.22."

It reads: "Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth." (i.e., keep your faith to yourself, and I'll do the same.) Oh yeah, and thanks for the free soda!

1 reply · active 845 weeks ago

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Carolyn Ann · 845 weeks ago

That should have been:

I would have done the same as you - it's NOT something that's worth quibbling over. She made an offer that had a condition attached - you refused her offer. Her mistake was pursuing the offer - that's when it crossed from being an offer to an imposition.

Life is too short to argue with people like that. It's not like anyone can change their minds!

Oops. Sorry. (I can't find a way of either staying logged into IntenseDebate, or deleting the mistake-ridden comment.

Carolyn Ann

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Hank · 845 weeks ago

Tell her you want to pick the verse. Genesis 19, verses 31-36.

2 replies · active 845 weeks ago

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Procrustes 57p · 845 weeks ago

More information is required:
1. Was she cute?
2. Ah, screw it, you dun good.

I probably would have been curious as to which verse she would have picked. Then I would have asked her if she thought it was a good idea to be proselytizing like that while at work. I might have asked her if she wanted to continue the conversation elsewhere, via email or otherwise, and maybe traded information. For the purpose of planting seeds of doubt.

But, if I was in a "mood" and just wanted a friggin soda and to go on my way, I would have just said "No thanks" and left, like you did.

2 replies · active 845 weeks ago

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dromedaryhump · 845 weeks ago

DAMN!! ive said this before, i'll say it again.. only YOU, Mojoey, draw this kind of Xtian fundie attention. 60 fricken years, and 6'3" chubby cuddley me has NEVER had a stranger do their xtian thing on me. I'm hurt.

anyway..I might have agreed to let her read me a verse if she agreed to let me read her a page from Dawkins "God delusion", or Hitchen's "the portable atheist".

Nah..fuck it.. you did the right thing. Who wants to prolong discourse with a frumpy middle age Xtian Korean?
..

1 reply · active 845 weeks ago

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rev. bigdumbchimp · 845 weeks ago

Probably would have handled it the same. Maybe not have bought anything from her to show her it wasn't appreciated.

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Goddless_Woman 43p · 845 weeks ago

You did the right thing. If I was in that situation I would be afraid that after she shared her verse and I commented about how silly the verse was she would call the cops and say that I stole the pop.

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rebeccamedley · 845 weeks ago

You should have said, "No thanks, I'll wait for the movie."

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SB Wright 110p · 845 weeks ago

"No thanks, I am an Atheist"

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