What would you do?

[Veritas]

Last night my wonderful neighbor next door brought over some banana bread that she baked and a DVD called Joy to the World as a Christmas gift. This was very nice a totally unexpected. We've only lived next to each other for 6 months but I see them all the time and enjoy talking to her 3 little kids. She and her husband are here from Salt Lake for his medical internship at a local hospital. So...I've already suspected they were LDS. On the back of the DVD it states the "additional features" are The Witness of a Modern-Day Prophet, Another Witness of Christ and All the Prophets Testify of Christ, etc. It's obviously a Mormon produced video designed for evangelism. Believe me, I'm not the least bit offended. I'm rather touched that they would think of me this way. When we were standing in my doorway, I couldn't help but notice that she kept looking at a large handpainted plaster depiction of the Holy Family in a manger scene I had on my coffee table along with my Advent Wreath. What I'm wondering though is, other than a nice "thank you" note I plan to mail to them, is there some way I could "return the favor"? I honestly don't know her intention behind the video, but I do know that last week they had over several elders from their church for a while and I wonder now if they discussed how they were sharing their faith with those they come in contact. I haven't watched the video yet, of course, but I plan to and wonder too, what my response to them should be. Any ideas?

 

[faerieevaH]

I would keep it at a thank you note, something home baked or home made and a 'neutral gift for now'. Otherwise the gesture might seem a bit like '*** for tat'... a game of 'attack and defence' even though it's not intended that way by either. Then on a later occasion, I'ld give some small and wonderful gift related to our faith.

Edit: *chuckles at seeing filtered expression* Well... you know what I mean!

 

[QuagDabPeg]

Ya I would agree. I think if you sent something back right after she gave you that it would seem like you are trying to "get back at her" so to speak, and you don't want to have that sort of feelings at Christmas. Maybe instead sometime you could invite them to a concert at your church or something, and mention how nice it is that you are both Christians. Then you could be doing something to share your faith without seeming like you are attacking hers and rejecting her gesture.

 

[Mystery5]

Maybe a Rosary or Catholic Catechism would be appropriate??? How about a nice pictoral on the life our our Holy Father???


Just kidding, of course. I'm glad you weren't offended, that's very charitable of you. You sound like a lovely person. If it were me, I might send some cookies over, but I definately would keep the relationship with this new neighbor on a friendly, but not too friendly basis. Her not so subtile attempt to proslytize you is obnoxious.

 

[Maynard Keenan]

Why is it obnoxious? Aren't christians supposed to spread the good news? They may disagree with us on what the good news IS but still....obnoxious?

 

[Miss Shelby]

Last night my wonderful neighbor next door brought over some banana bread that she baked and a DVD called Joy to the World as a Christmas gift. This was very nice a totally unexpected. We've only lived next to each other for 6 months but I see them all the time and enjoy talking to her 3 little kids. She and her husband are here from Salt Lake for his medical internship at a local hospital. So...I've already suspected they were LDS. On the back of the DVD it states the "additional features" are The Witness of a Modern-Day Prophet, Another Witness of Christ and All the Prophets Testify of Christ, etc. It's obviously a Mormon produced video designed for evangelism. Believe me, I'm not the least bit offended. I'm rather touched that they would think of me this way. When we were standing in my doorway, I couldn't help but notice that she kept looking at a large handpainted plaster depiction of the Holy Family in a manger scene I had on my coffee table along with my Advent Wreath. What I'm wondering though is, other than a nice "thank you" note I plan to mail to them, is there some way I could "return the favor"? I honestly don't know her intention behind the video, but I do know that last week they had over several elders from their church for a while and I wonder now if they discussed how they were sharing their faith with those they come in contact. I haven't watched the video yet, of course, but I plan to and wonder too, what my response to them should be. Any ideas?

Just a thank you and if you want to return with a gift why not? It's probably good that you know they're Mormons. You can now prepare yourself how to answer them if they ever do witness to you. Catholic answers has some good tips about that.

Michelle

 

[Paul S]

Why is it obnoxious? Aren't christians supposed to spread the good news? They may disagree with us on what the good news IS but still....obnoxious?

Yes, it's obnoxious when other faiths don't consider Catholics Christian.

 

[Mystery5]

It's obnoxious to target your new neighbor right after moving in. Yes, most people would agree that it puts them in an awkward spot. She barely knows this poster. It would be more appropriate to just bring over a pie. This was a highly aggressive gesture that would make most people uncomfortable.

 

[Brother Simon]

Last night my wonderful neighbor next door brought over some banana bread that she baked and a DVD called Joy to the World as a Christmas gift. This was very nice a totally unexpected. We've only lived next to each other for 6 months but I see them all the time and enjoy talking to her 3 little kids. She and her husband are here from Salt Lake for his medical internship at a local hospital. So...I've already suspected they were LDS. On the back of the DVD it states the "additional features" are The Witness of a Modern-Day Prophet, Another Witness of Christ and All the Prophets Testify of Christ, etc. It's obviously a Mormon produced video designed for evangelism. Believe me, I'm not the least bit offended. I'm rather touched that they would think of me this way. When we were standing in my doorway, I couldn't help but notice that she kept looking at a large handpainted plaster depiction of the Holy Family in a manger scene I had on my coffee table along with my Advent Wreath. What I'm wondering though is, other than a nice "thank you" note I plan to mail to them, is there some way I could "return the favor"? I honestly don't know her intention behind the video, but I do know that last week they had over several elders from their church for a while and I wonder now if they discussed how they were sharing their faith with those they come in contact. I haven't watched the video yet, of course, but I plan to and wonder too, what my response to them should be. Any ideas?

I used to be LDS and I have seen this DVD. I would suggest watching the very beginning as it has very beautiful scenes of the manger with the Tabernacle choir singing. (Unless they changed it, I believe thats still there)

However, the movie gets dirty. About half way in it starts to tell the story of the ancient Mormon people celebrating the first Christmas in the Americas... its obviously not true and is their way of trying to evangelize. They will also bring you one at Easter.

The best way to deal with an evangelican Mormon is to set out an anti-mormon book or something...they shy away from those people like a cat and water! Or just tell her you're not interested.

Ave Maria!
Simon

 

[ukok]

I'd be tempted to write a note, but say something along the lines of ' I really appreciated your kind gesture and the gift that you gave that introduces me to your religious belief, i hope you won't be offended that i reciprocate in kind by sending you something that intorduces you to my own faith ...Once again, thank you so much, your kindness is very much appreciated. God Bless"

Include a rosary and a pamphlet that explains how to pray it.

I say, don't be too subtle...

..i have been very subtle with my J.W visitors who have been visiting for over 3 years...and i have had invites to their meetings at the kingdom hall and visit's and pamphlets galore....today, i just came right out with it, when they called...i positively brimmed with enthusiasm when they asked what i was doing for Christmas.....Mass Christmas Eve and confession, Mass Christmas Day, Mass Boxing Day...


Maureen, my J.W friend grew up Catholic, so as she walked down the street with her 'student' i could almost hear them praying for my deliverance


God Bless.

 

[Veritas]

I used to be LDS and I have seen this DVD. I would suggest watching the very beginning as it has very beautiful scenes of the manger with the Tabernacle choir singing. (Unless they changed it, I believe thats still there)

However, the movie gets dirty. About half way in it starts to tell the story of the ancient Mormon people celebrating the first Christmas in the Americas... its obviously not true and is their way of trying to evangelize. They will also bring you one at Easter.

The best way to deal with an evangelican Mormon is to set out an anti-mormon book or something...they shy away from those people like a cat and water! Or just tell her you're not interested.

Ave Maria!
Simon

Wow! Thanks for the heads up! I would not have had any idea about the twisting of the Christmas story. That's not only unfortunate but a little underhanded in their attempt to distort the truth. Of course, I suppose they don't see it that way. Eek I can't imagine why my sweet neighbor whom I've had no religious discussions with would give it to me. In fact, I feel she's kind of put me in an awkward position of needing to respond in some way. I also will feel a little strange in her presense now...wondering if the subject is going to come up. She's not aggressive at all and to be honest I don't find her exceptionally intelligent...her husband and little boy are the brains.

What they may find interesting in a discussion that might come up is that, even though I've never been Mormon, I'm the decendent of the original Mormon Pioneers on my mother's side. The only reason I'm Catholic is because my father's mother is a French Catholic and as is customary, she insisted on the children being raised Catholic. So my dad was Catholic and then insisted that his children (me and my siblings) be raised Catholic and so my mother became one while pregnant with my older brother.

 

[Veritas]

I would keep it at a thank you note, something home baked or home made and a 'neutral gift for now'. Otherwise the gesture might seem a bit like '*** for tat'... a game of 'attack and defence' even though it's not intended that way by either. Then on a later occasion, I'ld give some small and wonderful gift related to our faith.

Edit: *chuckles at seeing filtered expression* Well... you know what I mean!

Thanks Eva! This is what I was afraid of. But I still think her gesture calls for some type of response.

(Yes, I do know what you mean! )

 

[Veritas]

I'm glad you weren't offended, that's very charitable of you. You sound like a lovely person.

Only on Thursdays! (And not when I'm driving!)

 

[Mystery5]

Just whatevewr you do, never alienate your neighbor!!! I always nicely smile and say Hi, how'ya doing, the kids are sure getting big. Thanks for the pie!

 

[Mystery5]

Only on Thursdays! (And not when I'm driving!)

Gee, I'm glad it's Thursday!!!!

Now, back to baking those pies and drinking port....

 

[Veritas]

I'd be tempted to write a note, but say something along the lines of ' I really appreciated your kind gesture and the gift that you gave that introduces me to your religious belief, i hope you won't be offended that i reciprocate in kind by sending you something that intorduces you to my own faith ...Once again, thank you so much, your kindness is very much appreciated. God Bless"

Include a rosary and a pamphlet that explains how to pray it.

I say, don't be too subtle...

..i have been very subtle with my J.W visitors who have been visiting for over 3 years...and i have had invites to their meetings at the kingdom hall and visit's and pamphlets galore....today, i just came right out with it, when they called...i positively brimmed with enthusiasm when they asked what i was doing for Christmas.....Mass Christmas Eve and confession, Mass Christmas Day, Mass Boxing Day...


Maureen, my J.W friend grew up Catholic, so as she walked down the street with her 'student' i could almost hear them praying for my deliverance


God Bless.

You're so cute, Deb! I was kind of thinking the way you were. I think it's only fair to let them know on some level that I have strong religious beliefs that I, too, would like to share with them. I certainly don't want to get into a ***for tat as our dear Eva has said. I've even had thoughts in the past about some type of evangelism with these folks. I do have some subtle religious imagery outside my door. Maybe I need to step it up a bit!

 

[Mystery5]

Maybe you generous neighbor would appreciate a nice bottle of wine and some premium Starbucks coffee? That would be a nice neighborly gesture...

 

[Veritas]

Maybe you generous neighbor would appreciate a nice bottle of wine and some premium Starbucks coffee? That would be a nice neighborly gesture...

Well yes! Considering Washington state is known for very fine wine and the home of SB. I really need to give them some parting gifts when they move in June as a wonderful reminder of my state!

 

[Mystery5]

Washington State eh? I'm 80 miles east of Seattle myself... Right off of I-5... Somewhat near Salmon La Sac...

 

[Michelina]

I would just bake her something simple and tell her you wanted them to have it. Nothing more. I would see the video and become an expert on Mormonism, in the next few week.

Of course, you could also burn a largen wooden cross in front of their house but, with the price of gas the way it is, I probably would skip that.