A hypothetical situation.
Your husband's childhood friend and his family come to stay with you as houseguests. They have different religious beliefs and are aware of yours. After they leave you find they've left behind literature for you. Shortly after, a member of their church calls because they heard from your friends that you'd like to hear the good news, and a missionary shows up at your door.
What would your reaction be?
Re: S/O of the religion discussion
Politely tell the missionary " No thank you" and drop it. If the friends bring up the religion issue again I would politely tell them that I am happy with my current church ( or whatever is fitting). If they keep trying to convert me I would finally tell them that it is not up for discussion and if they continue to bring it up I will hang up / leave. I would then follow through if needed.
I would tell the people at the door that you are happy with your spot in life and to please leave. Then I would tell the friends that I didn't appreciate having there beliefs pushed on me especially when I don't try to push mine on them.
Then I would sign them up for samples of Enzyite to be delivered at home & work.
Katie, I just had to stifle my laughter in a pile of fabric so I wouldn't wake Adam.
And the best part is that I know you would.
Shoot, would? I have!!! Whenever I had a boss that would piss me off they would get a nice sample in the mail!!!!
Explain to the missionary that you received the literature and would prefer not to discuss it with them. I would reiterate to your DH's friend that you are "all set" in the religion category.
I would not be upset, angry or even annoyed.
I'd probably mail them the brochure back with a little note saying "I noticed you forgot this, and I am sure you're missing it. I know how important your religion is to you, and I'm sure you'd miss being able to share this with those who want it."
But I'm passive-agressive like that.
The literature would be mildly irritating. The follow up with the local theological SWAT team? The absolute end. And Matthew would feel the same.
Ditto. And I'd be sure to mention that I didn't appreciate their little stunt either.
I'd be extremely pissed off. I try to be very respectful of others desires for religious beliefs and if they clearly knew my stance I'd feel very betrayed and pushed-upon (and judged) if they had someone call and sent a missionary! Good grief. DH's parents kept sending me pamphlets about being saved and before we were married I finally sent them a 3 letter page asking them to kindly stop and respect my desire for 'personal' views. (And they did, and they were very nice about it and appreciated my honesty/up frontness, even if they think I'm damned :P)
I have no patience for things being shoved down my throat, nevermind religion!