what to say?

[Montie_Claunch]

I was sitting on a bench praying my daily rosary right before going in to take my history final and this rather odd and unruley lady came up to me and proceeded to berate me (and my kind I guess) for being intolerant of other peoples Gods and How we could just go around saying that other peoples dieties are not what their adherants say they are. I, sadly, was to dumbfounded and dismayed kickstart my mental facilliaties to say anything other than, “I’ll ask my friends online.” Anyway, I was wondering if anyone could help me with what I should tell this lady?

 

[Pug]

My first response would be to *calmly *ask her if she would like to walk down the cafeteria (you are on a campus) and have a cup of coffee together (well, for me it would be tea).

Perhaps this would slow her down and restore things to normal, polite conversation. You are not going to find out what is truly bugging her while standing in the hall with her in that frame of mind. Of course, you could ignore her…

 

[kp1]

I am sorry if I have offended you in some way? I am unaware I was doing something that would be considered intollerent of your beliefs. I thought I was meditating and focusing myslef for my final. It seems that you are upset by my meditation, and I hope you can find the peace you are searching for. Maybe after my final we could discuss this further, but please excuse me so I can prepare for my final at this time.

As for intollerance to other gods, well, we have the commandment to worship one God.

 

[Malachi4U]

I go to the park at times to pray the rosary in public. I try to display my Faith publically and to spur conversation if I am lucky.

Keep praying your rosary in public but think about what you will say when people confront you on your Faith. Be ready to share your Faith with them too.

You did not offend this lady but she did seem to offend you. Point this out to her. All people are sinners so perhaps she saw some bad Christians. Point out to her how Christians should be.

If a Jew tells me Happy Honekuh (SP?) I say thank you. If a Muslem says happy Jihad or whatever they say I say thank you. I take it as a compliment that they are wishing me a good time and like me enough to wish me kindness.

 

[Sherlock]

Ask her why, if she wants tolerance, she doesn’t display some herself.

 

[Montie_Claunch]

kp1:

I am sorry if I have offended you in some way? I am unaware I was doing something that would be considered intollerent of your beliefs. I thought I was meditating and focusing myslef for my final. It seems that you are upset by my meditation, and I hope you can find the peace you are searching for. Maybe after my final we could discuss this further, but please excuse me so I can prepare for my final at this time. .

???

 

[kp1]

???

Sorry, I did not put it into quotes as an option of what to say. That would have been my response. I did not mean to confuse you. I try the “kill them with kindness” approach, it tends to take the hot air out of their sails and then they realize they had been unruly to me.

Keep praying your rosary in public, it could leave an inspiring impression on someone else. You never know! God knows you have good intentions, so do not let this person rain on your parade! How did the final go?

 

[mommyjo2]

My first response would have been, “Oh, hi Grandma”.
But, it doesn’t sound like you are related to this person, so another tactic is in order.
Well, if it was me I would have made a scene - not in a hostile way but in an overly concerned nosy neighbor way:
“Oh my gosh, are all right? Should I get some help? you seem so upset, is everything ok? I know you would NEVER talk to someone minding his own business in the park in such a rude way if you were all right? Here, lie down. Better put your feet up. Let me call an ambulance.”
Ok, maybe not.
But I would have asked her, “Have we met before? I don’t remember talking to you about God…or your beliefs. Oh, I know, we must have met at Kleptomaniacs Anonymous. How’s your recovery coming”?
OK, I wouldn’t have done that either (tempting as it may be).
There’s the classic response, “Some people”, or the escalation, “Some people’s children”.
But a better response probably would have been “I’ll ask my friends online. Let’s meet here tomorrow and talk about it”, which sounds like you did.

 

[aurora77]

My first thought would be who are you and why are you talking to me so rudely? Hopefully that wouldn’t come out of my mouth, though. I would ask her why she feels this way–how does my praying the rosary show that I’m intolerant of others’ views. Maybe that would get her talking enough that you can have a civil conversation.

 

[Montie_Claunch]

kp1:

Sorry, I did not put it into quotes as an option of what to say. That would have been my response. I did not mean to confuse you. I try the “kill them with kindness” approach, it tends to take the hot air out of their sails and then they realize they had been unruly to me.

Keep praying your rosary in public, it could leave an inspiring impression on someone else. You never know! God knows you have good intentions, so do not let this person rain on your parade! How did the final go?

O.K. Thanks for explaining. I thought something big had traspired between us and I had tottally forgotten (thank God it wasn’t that. I had one small child call me ancient already). Thanks for the idea.

I think I did alright. I kept thinking about how I was “Perecuting other people and their Gods” so sadly my mind wasn’t complete on the task at hand but, It was history (which I have always traditionally did good at). Thanks for asking.

 

[coyote]

Her behavior was extreme, irrational and highly inappropriate. I suspect some degree of mental illness. You may be able to accomplish some reasonable rapport with her, then again you may not. It depends on whether her mental illness is situational and temporary, or pervasive. Have you seen this woman before? You may never even encounter her again.