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Good grief.

post #1 of 13
12/6/06 at 1:49pm
Thread Starter 
Brian has an older half brother (Dad's son) named Jayson. We (kids and I) met him a year or so ago Just before he got married. One of those life changing events, gotta clear out my closet things. No biggie.

For the lack of a better phrase and I really don't want to hurt anyone's feelings here, he's a Bible thumper. Brian and I don't care that he is one, just don't shove it down our throats.

Guess what. He's starting to shove it.

We got a box from him and his wife today. I opened it and pulled out tons of brown paper filling to find some wrapped gifts. OK, no problem. Kieran's getting one of those poppers. Brian and I are sharing a gift. There was a card, so after putting the gifts under the tree, I opened the card. Here's what he wrote ...

Quote:
Brian, Jennifer & kids,

We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. Give all the kids a hug for us. We hope you enjoy this copy of the Life Application Bible. It really helps us understand more about the Bible.

Love, Jayson & Elsa
OK, one - I AM JEWISH. He knows this. What in the world would I do with a Bible?

Two - what fool (besides Jayson apparently) mentions the gift in the card? HELLO!! Cards are opened now and gifts on Dec 25th.

Three - I'm pretty sure we asked them to not do stuff like this ... we aren't going to change our religious minds because some long lost brother found G-d, feels guilty for losing Him so long and is trying to convert everyone he meets to make up for it.
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post #2 of 13
12/6/06 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 
Oh, yeah, Four - by Jewish law, the kids are Jewish too. We told him this as well and that seemed to upset him and Elsa. Maybe it's their souls he's trying to convert and not ours.

Now I want to peek at the gifts they sent for the kids so censor them.
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post #3 of 13
12/6/06 at 2:14pm
I'm sorry he can't respect your religion, especially since you've already mentioned it to him.

I was going to say something about you being Jewish makes the kids Jewish. Maybe that is what irks him.
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post #4 of 13
12/6/06 at 2:20pm
Thread Starter 
Probably. Plus he knows Brian's not going to church right now and that I am Jewish.
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post #5 of 13
12/6/06 at 3:50pm
Send him a dreidel and a copy of the story of Hanukah and tell him you hope it helps him have a very nice Hanukah.

Seriously, it's nice that he's concerned for you all but you have your beliefs and have let him know that so it's not fair for him to try and take advantage of the holiday season, or anytime for that matter, to try and help you "see the light". I would just take it as a sign that he cares for us all and let it slide this time but would make sure to say something the next time he does something like this.

Oh, and I would take a peek at the kids gifts.
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post #6 of 13
12/6/06 at 4:20pm
I would DEFINETLY be checking the kids presents. My parents are a diff religion that us and I always have to censor the gifts because they do the same thing.
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post #7 of 13
12/6/06 at 6:23pm
I would look at th ekids presents too. And hey, if you want to be converted, there are enough of us Christians on the boards to try and do it ya don't need family doing it.

Just kidding. I also agree with.. well.. I don't know her name, lovemycrew, send him a Menora and a copy of the story of Hanakah.. I seriously don't think i spelled that right.. do you put a C at the front of it? some people do. anyway.. That's a really good idea. Either that or maybe you could find literature about converting to Judaism and send that Info on Hebrew classes.
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post #8 of 13
12/6/06 at 6:56pm
That would probably annoy me, but in the spirit of the season, I would probably let it slide. It doesn't sound like you see them very much, so why stir the pot? (JMO) Now if you had to see him regularly, then I might find a way for Brian to remind him that you are Jewish and don't appreciate the conversion techniques....
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post #9 of 13
12/7/06 at 8:20am
Thread Starter 
No, we don't see them often at all. Just the one time. If we end up with 'spare' money this season, I might just send them something Jewish.

Thanks, all. Just had to vent it out and I really didn't want to say something where the kiddos would hear it.
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post #10 of 13
12/7/06 at 10:19am
Personally, I would let it go. Why bother? Sending him the Jewish items might make you feel better, but it will only fuel his fire. You could send the Bible back, with a note to the effect of, "Thanks for the well-intentioned gift. We are returning it because we are certain that it's slipped your minds that I am Jewish and we are raising the kids in the Jewish faith. Happy Holidays!" I would be classier and kinder than I need to be in this instance.
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post #11 of 13
12/7/06 at 11:51am
see.. I knew you were all better people than me
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post #12 of 13
12/7/06 at 12:12pm
Oh, Shona, I would WANT to be all in his face and telling him where to put that gift, but I just figure for fundamental, legalistic Christians like him, he would take that and use it as a justification for trying even harder to convert her, KWIM? I have to work hard at guarding my mouth. That's a topic my home fellowship group and I discuss frequently--how hard I have to work at guarding my big mouth!
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post #13 of 13
12/7/06 at 10:32pm
Tammy--

I agree with Tammy. It would probably be understood better by him and he 'might' let it go at that and leave you alone.
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