Buying a religious gift - yay or nay?

[bruisermel]

My family and my in-laws are quite religious (catholic and protestant mix), my husband and I are the only atheists in the bunch. 

 

Would you buy a religious oriented gift for a religious person (i.e. a catholic trivia game for a Catholic dad)?  Why or why not?

[sdelsolray]

No, I wouldn't.  There are many other choices, ones which are non-religious although perhaps a bit mundane, e.g., pottery, a nice plant, etc.

 

Personally, I would not want to encourage the religious beliefs in others through gift giving.

[buffettphan]

I don't, for two reasons.  First, I don't want to encourage or appear to sanction someone's religious beliefs.   Second, I don't want my money going to an individual/business who makes or supplies that kind of crap.   

[florduh]

Depends on the situation. 

 

Years ago my fundy father and his possibly even fundier wife were trying to learn Spanish. Knowing they were a total loss regarding reason anyway, I bought them a rather nice Bible written in Spanish. It made them happy.

 

OTOH, I would NEVER give anything of a religious nature to any friend or family member I don't already consider a hopeless fundy. Religious crap is certainly not appropriate for children!

 

[Guest]

Never. But especially not to children. I'm more likely to buy them something that might improve rational thinking skills.

[R_Collins]

It really depends on the people, the gift and the situation. 

 

I'd never give a religious gift to children if I could avoid it. They might take it as my endorsement of religion. 

 

For adults, it is really a matter of 

(1) What is my gift saying to them?

(2) How likely is it to change their beliefs or behavior?

 

The original post mentioned a Catholic Trivia game. It's hard to see how this is going to hurt any Catholic adult who has already made up their mind about their beliefs. Hopefully, they would see it as an expression of friendship from the giver, not as an endorsement of any belief system. 

 

When my Great Aunt had to go into a nursing home, I realized that she was losing her eyesight. She did not have a large print Bible, so I bought her one. She was a liberal Christian (Methodist) but she was very sincere in her faith. She knew that I was an Atheist, and she interpreted my gift not as agreement with her beliefs, but as an expression of my love for her. 

 

But I have some friends (and former relatives) who have very unhealthy relationships with their beliefs. I have never given them a religious gift. It might feed their problem. 

[older]

Well, no. But there are tempting things:

 

The Grilled Cheezus Sandwich Press:  https://www.amazon.com/The-Grilled-Cheesus-Sandwich-Press/dp/B00DD0P0TK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512101549&sr=8-1&keywords=Jesus+toast

 

There is also the Jesus bandages, the Last Supper serving tray, Last Supper After Dinner Mints, and other things here: https://mcphee.com/search?q=Jesus

 

I can't seem to find a source for the classic Jesus light switch plate, though: https://www.flickr.com/photos/onesweetpeach/2288659561

[Orbit]

I bought my mom a concordance because it made her happy, and she's never going to change her mind about religion anyway. She is obsessed with the Bible, and I can't change that, plus she's 73 let her die happy.

[bruisermel]

LOL Thanks  for the chuckle, older, those are great.