My response is that simple because I save the ire for those strangers that outright proselytize.
Natter 37: Oddly Enough, We've Had This Conversation Before.
Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.
I'd probably be all "Huh? What? Are you speaking to me?"
Jilli, what you're already doing sounds fine. You could always, in the spirit of mutual courtesy add, "And I'll be doing a _______ ritual for you, dear," if you like.
Did I say wow, yet?
Heh. Yeah.
The only time it really, REALLY bugs me is when it happens at work. Having one of your project managers walk into your office and say "I want you to know that every Sunday I pray for you to accept Jesus into your heart, because you're a bright girl with so much to offer the world" is unnerving.
The other thing that confuses me about complete strangers telling me they'll pray for me is that ... I have dear friends who are Christian, and none of them would ever think of doing that to me, much less a random stranger.
"That won't be necessary, thank you." Hopefully they would consider why they believe it to be necessary.
Wow. I know you've mentioned before Jilli, but it never fails to shock me.
I have friends (and a husband) that are NOT Christian that I pray for. Not that their souls will be saved or accept Jesus or blah blah blah but just, "Hey, God? I love these people. Watch out for em for me, huh? Please please please with pentinence on top?"
Jilli, you can tell them that some of your Christian friends are praying for them to become less annoying "Christians".
Having one of your project managers walk into your office and say "I want you to know that every Sunday I pray for you to accept Jesus into your heart, because you're a bright girl with so much to offer the world" is unnerving.
OMG, now THAT's bad. At WORK!?!?
My instinctual reaction to anyone trying to talk to me on the street (whether it's "Accept Jesus Christ Lest Ye Burn In Hell," "How About A Free Stress Test?" or "Where Do You Get Your Hair Done?") is to shake my head and walk away quickly -- the standard NYC "If I can ignore you, you can't bother me" response. I'm usually halfway down the block before I fully process what it was they were trying to say.
The only time it really, REALLY bugs me is when it happens at work. Having one of your project managers walk into your office and say "I want you to know that every Sunday I pray for you to accept Jesus into your heart, because you're a bright girl with so much to offer the world" is unnerving.
See, now that's harassment. Someone at work once told me he prayed for me every night. I told him to cut it out.