If you were offered some religious book (Torah, Bible, Qur'an, etc.), what would your reaction be?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:05:30 -0500

Realizing that religion preferences vary, hypothesize that the book is NOT of your faith.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 1:10 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:10:08 -0500

I would respectfully decline them, and if the person insists, I would take them, offer my thanks and then give them to someone that can put them to good use

Response by Sgt Jennifer Mohler made Nov 20 at 2014 1:17 PM

Sgt Jennifer Mohler — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:17:25 -0500

How is it being offered? Passively (free display in the chaplains office) or is someone shoving it in my hands? If they are forcing it on me I would just take it and add it to my library. If they are nasty about it, I would throw it on the ground and walk away. If you are going to be mean to you, I will be mean to you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 1:20 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:20:50 -0500

as stated before I would respectfully refuse.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Nov 20 at 2014 1:23 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:23:59 -0500

Meh, I'll take it, free book, knowledge is power. Worst case, extra tinder for fire-starting.

Response by SGT Shane Duncan made Nov 20 at 2014 1:56 PM

SGT Shane Duncan — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:56:26 -0500

"What do I need this for?" That would be my response.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 2:01 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 14:01:53 -0500

I agree with SFC Dominguez

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Nov 20 at 2014 2:18 PM

SSG Keith Evans — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 14:18:19 -0500

I have enough Bibles, I'm covered there. If I were offered a different book, I'd probably take it just to learn something new, like someone else said... knowledge is power.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Nov 20 at 2014 2:42 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 14:42:55 -0500

If I already had a copy, recommend they give it to someone who doesn't. If not, give thanks and let them know I will read it as soon as I finish the Qur'an.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 2:49 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 14:49:08 -0500

Take it and say thank you.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Nov 20 at 2014 3:40 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 15:40:46 -0500

Take it, as long as it is actually being given.

In SEA-TAC on my way in to Ft Lewis and out to RVN, a guy came up and gave me a rather lavish-looking copy of a certain edition of the Bhagavad Gita. I thanked him and moved to walk on, when he explained to me that it wasn't exactly a GIFT, it was more something that I should decide I want to buy, and give him a bunch of bux.

But as many have said to me over the years, the final three letters of ISKCON are the most operative.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 20 at 2014 3:54 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 15:54:07 -0500

If its a bible, I would politely refuse because I already have 4. But if it was some other religious text I would take it just out of curiosity. I have both a qua'ran and a book of mormon because they were gifts off the street. I have to say... the book of mormon was a confusing read.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2014 11:44 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 11:44:12 -0500

Interesting question. Generally speaking, I would politely decline since I have a couple Bibles, a Qur'an, The Bhagavad Gita, and several others. I don't have some books though so I might accept a book.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 28 at 2014 11:49 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 11:49:50 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, if it was a text I wanted or needed, I would accept, with thanks. Otherwise, I would politely decline.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Dec 28 at 2014 12:34 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 12:34:31 -0500

"Thank You, that was very thoughtful."
(What I do with the book later is an entirely different matter.)

Response by Sgt Paul Cavnar made Dec 28 at 2014 12:45 PM

Sgt Paul Cavnar — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 12:45:01 -0500

If offered a book other than the Bible I think I would be disappointed in myself because my words and actions would not have been such that others would readily know that I am a Christian. I have read the Torah and much of the Qur'an. The Christian Bible contains the original five book of the old testament which is the bulk of the Torah. I have no interest in the Qur'an as for me, it is simply a counterfeit of the bible written by a deranged attention-starved self-appointed prophet who was so power hungry that he devised his own "religion" so as to control much of his part of the world. For me, Jesus Christ is the answer and the only means where I may have salvation and eternal life.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2014 4:04 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 16:04:11 -0500

Gifts are nice, I'd probably take it regardless of what it is and whether I already have one.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made Feb 11 at 2015 7:09 PM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 19:09:17 -0500

I would say thanks but no thanks have a great day

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2015 7:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 19:46:59 -0500

I would ask them why they offered me such book. Then we would have an in depth discussion of whatever their religion might be. The only exception would be from the Church of Flying Spaghetti Monster. Then again, they don't have a "holy" book. OH! Such dilemma!

Response by SGT Justin Fischer made Mar 16 at 2015 3:34 PM

SGT Justin Fischer — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 15:34:24 -0400

I tend to try and be a very well read person, to include religious texts. I have copies of the Bible, the Torah, and the Quran, as well as other faiths' texts too. The Torah was actually gifted to me by a close friend from high school as thanks for being there for him in a time of personal crises. The Quran was given to me by a imam at a multi-faith conference. So, in answer to your question, either thank you, or, sorry, I already have one of those.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Mar 19 at 2015 9:32 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 21:32:54 -0400

Heh. I was accosted in a SEA/TAC Airport lounge by a strangely dressed young man with a haircut even more military than mine, and given a lavish edition of the Bhagavad Gita.

This being one of the works I have read with interest and occasional pleasure over the years, I took it, thanked him and turned to walk away.

Turned out, if an ISKCON operative gives you a bit of their literature, you are expected to pay full price then and there. FULL price. Ooog.

So, I have no idea how wonderful it might have been.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2015 10:41 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2015 10:41:42 -0400

I would accept it. Accepting the materials is not the same as agreeing to convert. I love reading about other religions and adding to my knowledge base. I like to be able to talk intelligently on a subject and I cannot do that if I know nothing about it.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 11 at 2015 10:30 PM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Mon, 11 May 2015 22:30:35 -0400

I would accept it with thanks and ask if they need a contribution.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2015 6:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 18:40:53 -0400

I have my own Torah, and copies of the Christian Bible, a Qur'an, and a Book of Mormon. I took the Torah from a display where it was offered; the rest were gifts. So if it were one of those books I already have, decline politely.

If it were one I did not have, take it and look through it, then decide if it is interesting enough to keep or give to someone who is interested.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jun 12 at 2015 6:50 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 18:50:51 -0400

"Thank you, but no thanks."

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2015 10:59 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 10:59:58 -0400

Response by SPC Ei McS made Jun 16 at 2015 11:13 AM

SPC Ei McS — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 11:13:21 -0400

If it were NOT of my faith and if it is a gift I would accept it. I had a Quran at some point, but I lost it. These other books of faith are good to have for reference and to make sure that no one cites passages out of context.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 9:33 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 09:33:17 -0400

I never turn down down free stuff. Whether I keep it is a different story. If it's a new translation, chances are I'll read it. I like reading.

Response by CMSgt John Momaney made Jul 12 at 2015 3:53 AM

CMSgt John Momaney — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 03:53:13 -0400

I would accept it and thank the person for it. I would also read it to understand the religions philosophy. The more knowledge you have the better to understand without bias.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2021 2:17 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 14:17:57 -0400

The road to understanding is the exchange of information. For the Bible I would rather have one published before 1900 and I do. And yes I would accept them.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Jul 14 at 2021 2:56 PM

SFC Randy Hellenbrand — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 14:56:59 -0400

Nope to all.

Response by Maj John Bell made Nov 28 at 2021 1:10 AM

Maj John Bell — Sun, 28 Nov 2021 01:10:40 -0500

To take the gift. If I have not read it before, I probably would. An understanding of others (no the same thing as agreement or endorsement) can never be harmful.

Response by SSG Byron Hewett made Nov 29 at 2021 5:20 PM

SSG Byron Hewett — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 17:20:17 -0500

accept with thanks because somebody was thinking about you

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 30 at 2021 9:56 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 21:56:14 -0500

If the person was adamant, I would take the book graciously.