# Oh look, a Bible. \*sigh\* Thanks Mom. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 26, 2002, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014 "2002-12-26T19:50:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/41 "2002-12-28T21:13:34Z")
Avalonian What an inspiration you are! Love is the conduit of goodness. You seem like a wonderful son who loves his mother. Just accept her gifts, and give her love in return. Kiss her cheek and tell her thanks. Tell her she is beautiful. And by all means, tell her that you love her. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/42 "2002-12-28T23:08:11Z")
Miller sagaciously wrote: \*\* [quote] God may be vengeful, but you simply do not fuck with Miss Manners. \*\* [quote] Excellent! WWMMD? Be gracious, thank your mom and tell her it is now a part of your collection and you look forward to the chance to compare it to the other versions of the bible that you own. This will probably stave off any future Bibles being sent to you, as the message hopefully will be, \*I am looking at this from a clinical detachment and not with the soul of my being \*. Possibly your Mom is out of touch with you and thinking of how you were when you were last home full time. Probably a little lost in life. ( weren’t we all?) and wants to only see her son happy. I know, I suffer a fate worse than random bible mailings. I receive cooking magazine subscriptions for Bdays and Xmas from my culinary mom. \* Sure, sure, Jesus changed water into wine and rose into heaven but there is no why on God’s Green Earth MOOOM that I can make a meal look like its picture. \* In this discussion, we are like Israel and Palestine. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/43 "2002-12-29T06:30:15Z")
Do make sure that a gift certificate or check or something else personal is not lurking within the pages. Many a urban legend circulates about how a parent gave a child the gift of a bible and the child was disgusted and never opened it until years later and found the other part of the gift. She may be looking to replay that. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/44 "2002-12-29T13:34:51Z")
Hey, **Avalonian**! Could you pop in over [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=153210) for a sec? I don’t wanna hijack your thread, but I’ve got a question. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/45 "2002-12-30T08:34:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lee \* > \*\*Do make sure that a gift certificate or check or something else personal is not lurking within the pages. Many a urban legend circulates about how a parent gave a child the gift of a bible and the child was disgusted and never opened it until years later and found the other part of the gift. She may be looking to replay that. \*\* _laughs_ Good point, but I’ve actually already flipped through the book itself a few times, just to scan through the “translation” and see what it was like. And, I neglected to mention that my mother also sent a $100 gift card for Wal-Mart seperately, which my wife and I spent on drywalling supplies (we’re getting ready to re-finish our basement). So, good idea, but not the case for us. **Libertarian** … I can only say thank you. I don’t feel much like an “inspiration.” Rather, I feel a bit petty for looking at my mother’s gift with suspicious eyes. I do love her, and I tell her so whenever possible. This certainly will change none of that. 🙂 **Shirley** … the thing is, she knows I’m happy. I’m married to the love of my life, I’ve got three beautiful daughters, and a job that I like reasonably well. I’m glad she wants to share her happiness with me, but I like to think I’ve at least communicated to her that I find my true happiness in my family, friends, and life. I don’t disrespect her religion at all, but I don’t need it for my own happiness. Gah. I sound schizophrenic here; I love her one moment, and I’m hurt the next. I guess I’m a little hurt that she sent me that, _because_ I love her. Happy birthday to me… I’m 30 as of 42 minutes ago. Now we’ll soon see what my mom has sent for my birthday present. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Juniper200](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@Juniper200](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Juniper200)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/46 "2002-12-30T09:23:48Z")
You’re a better person than I; I would never consider donating it to a church. Rather, I’d return it to the bookstore (place of purchase to be determined by analysis of price tag) for store credit. Then I’d get books I really wanted to read. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2002, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/47 "2002-12-31T09:29:50Z")
Wait, **Avalonian**! I know this one! Turn to [Matthew 7:11](http://www.snopes.com/religion/gradgift.htm). Your mom’s actually bought you a new car for Christmas and the bill of ownership is hidden inside the Bible! ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/48 "2003-01-01T06:01:06Z")
I do recall a photo taken at the La Ronde amusement park in Canada of someone wearing a T-shirt with massive lettering stating “JESUS IS A CUNT”. I’m sure that would get the job done in this situation too. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/49 "2003-01-01T06:26:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by neutron star \* > \*\*Eh, I guess. You’ve got a much more level-headed outlook than I do. I’ll give you that. I’d chuck the damn thing in the trash without a second thought. \*\* We just threw away several Bibles. We’re trying to get rid of things and we had several translations and I’m not even Xtian, so we chucked them. My dad has given me religious crap as gifts before… I just smile and nod and put it away. Yeah it pisses me off on the inside, but he isn’t going to change and it isn’t worth the vitriol. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/50 "2003-01-01T14:16:18Z")
Avalonian, you took the high road. Bravo. The gift has little importance; the relationship with your mother is precious. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/51 "2003-01-01T16:39:36Z")
It’s just a vehicle to show you your mother’s love. It’s the medium that’s “The Message” ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2003, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/52 "2003-01-01T20:09:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by E-Sabbath \* > \*\*It’s just a vehicle to show you your mother’s love. > > It’s the medium that’s “The Message” \*\* Thank you, [Marshall McLuhan](http://www.mcluhan.utoronto.ca/mcluhanprojekt/message2.htm). 🙂 Seriously, I know. I know her gift was given out of love. It just made me think, I guess. I think my conclusion is, as my wife suggested, my mom doesn’t know me as well as I think she does. No big deal… ---
**Author:** ![ZombiesAteMyBrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ZombiesAteMyBrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZombiesAteMyBrain)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/53 "2003-01-02T02:28:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Avalonian \* > \*\*_groan_ Not _again!_ 😃 \*\* I just don’t get the christian zeal for conversion. I officially became an athiest when I was 11. All through my teens I got bibles and holy books from my older sister for Xmas and they went straight to the nearest charity bookstore. Every time I saw her she told me that I was going straight to HELL!!! This continued until I became a Buddhist at the age of 34. She sent both my husband and I a VERY heavy letter about how we were destined to BURN IN HELL FOREVER. The following Xmas she sent us Wait for it… A fire blanket!!! So useful to protect us from the flames!!! You have to laugh, don’t you??? ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2003, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/54 "2003-01-02T02:50:13Z")
a fire blanket would be a cool present! ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/55 "2003-01-06T00:02:29Z")
Are you saying that your sister sent you a fire blanket out of spite, as a way of telling you that you are going to hell? Lovely. ---
**Author:** ![ZombiesAteMyBrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b4bc9f/32.png) [@ZombiesAteMyBrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZombiesAteMyBrain)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/56 "2003-01-06T04:09:34Z")
Yes - well that’s the way it seems to me.We had a laugh about it at the time because it was just so petty, but since my husband died 7 years ago I get regular phone calls to tell me that he’s burning in hell and i’ll be joining him there if I don’t see sense and give up Buddhism. The last time she was in this country I had to ask her to leave my house because she just wouldn’t give up on the subject. Even though, as a Buddhist, I don’t believe in her “hell” I find her saying that VERY offensive!! ---
**Author:** ![angelicate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@angelicate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angelicate)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/57 "2003-01-06T16:07:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ZombiesAteMyBrain \* > \*\*Yes - well that’s the way it seems to me.We had a laugh about it at the time because it was just so petty, but since my husband died 7 years ago I get regular phone calls to tell me that he’s burning in hell and i’ll be joining him there if I don’t see sense and give up Buddhism. The last time she was in this country I had to ask her to leave my house because she just wouldn’t give up on the subject. > > Even though, as a Buddhist, I don’t believe in her “hell” I find her saying that VERY offensive!! \*\* Wow, that’s horrible, and totally against (what would be a true) Christian sense of love. ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2003, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014/58 "2003-01-07T00:25:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by japatlgt \* > \*\*1) It’s meant as a gift from your Mom. Could possibly be the last one you ever get. I’d keep it for sentimental reasons even if it was stored in the attic. If it was my Mom and I got rid of it she would be hurt. Although it is now your property and you’re completely within your rights to do with it as you see fit. > > 1. Many times people give these types of gifts without any particular meaning. It’s something highly esteemed by them and they see it as a tremendous gift. Yes, it happens in our culture close to home as well. > > 2. If it were evangelical in nature it could simply be the result of a recent revival at her church. Everybody’s doing it. > > 3. I would hesitate to make light of the situation. Regardless of your religious differences you all may have a heartfelt discussion in your future. Perhaps many! It could be your Mom’s way of expression an emotion that she finds it hard to articulate. A gesture. > > 4. Don’t take it personally. Don’t be ashamed if you do. \*\* Imho, this is the most logical and caring post of the day in any forum. Thanks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-look-a-bible-sigh-thanks-mom/145014.md?page=2)