Differences in religion at the Holidays
@helpful_ideas (1620)
United States
December 13, 2006 5:55pm CST
My parents and sister's family are of one religion. My family (myself, husband, and son) is of mixed religions with a great deal of respect toward each other's beliefs.
My sister has no respect whatsoever for the fact that we are of different religions, even to the point of giving my son a video tape that was all about their religious beliefs.
With the holidays coming, my husband is excited because even though he does not share their faith, my family really INCLUDES him in the celebration. At all other times he absolutely hates the way they behave, trying to convert us.
If I don't let my sister know about how she is making me feel, she is going to keep doing it and I believe in dealing with such situations before they fester. My problem is, I don't want to ruin anyone's holidays.
Advice?
3 responses
@ljcapps (1925)
• United States
23 Dec 06
You say you don't want to ruin anyone's holiday, but who is thinking about your feelings? About your holiday being ruined? Obviously not your sister. I feel for you in this one I myself am of a different religion than my entire extended family(in-laws included). The bad thing is that until she understands how she is making you feel she won't stop. My best suggestion is to sit down with her and have a theological discussion or arguement, which ever the case may be. Then ask her to join your religion. As they say "turn abouts are fair play". See how she likes it?
@helpful_ideas (1620)
• United States
16 Feb 07
Ya know, I have thought about doing that a time or two but I am really trying to behave the way I wish others would and not sink to her level. Example is important to me.
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
14 Dec 06
I have a grandfather that belongs to Jehovas and he was constantly tring to pursuade me and my brother to convert. When we said no we stopped excisting for him, but actually i do not mind that. If a person can not respect that u have other believs than they are nbot worth it.
i often think about how he would react if he knew that i am also with a muslim ...
1 person likes this
@helpful_ideas (1620)
• United States
14 Dec 06
I know that she knows we are of a different religion. I just need to find a way to tell her HOW much this bothers me when she does it. Without setting off her hair-trigger temper or ruining her holidays.
@emeraldisle (13138)
• United States
24 Dec 06
They know what your faith is, they should respect it and your choice to follow it. Talk with her. Sit down and discuss with her how she is wasting her time and energy but also how it is upsetting to you to have to keep hearing it. That shoving relgion down anyone's throat is wrong, no matter what the faith is. Explain to her that you love her, want her as a sister, but enough is enough. She has to let you be yourself and that talk about religion needs to stop. Don't bring up yours and tell her not to bring up hers.
