I'm meeting a quiverfull family

I have an acquaintance who I consider a distant friend. A couple of years ago I learned he is one of those who practice the quiverfull lifestyle. These people are Christian conservatives who believe that children are a blessing from God and don't believe in contraception and have as many children as 'God plans'. They also home school their children. The best example of this lifestyle are the Duggars from that TV show '19 kids and counting'.

So the other day I met him at the mall and we had a brief conversation and he invited my family and I to his house for dinner. He tells me he makes great Mexican food. He told me how he would like to talk to me about the Bible and tell me how much it means to him. His Facebook page is filled with Bible passages.

He does not know that while I was born Lutheran, I am 99% atheist. I have a feeling that this guy is trying to convert me and join his church. When we have our chat, I will be friendly and ask him some questions I am eager to hear a devout Christian answer.

So I'll start by asking: Have you read the Bible cover to cover? 'Your daily dose' is the wrong answer.

Do you consider the Bible the absolute truth? If so, what are your thoughts on the Bible Apocrypha?

What is the word of God? Did those who wrote the Bible literally have an Angel dictate all the words or had God speak in a voice in their head?

What are your thoughts on modern day prophets? After all, the New Testament never actually said 'No more prophets from this point on'. If you do believe in modern day prophets, why no new scriptures?

I will then ask if he does scripture study with his kids. If his answer is yes, I'll reply 'Are you sure you want to do that?' Then I'll point out the line in Ezekiel describing donkey genitals and horse semen.

Finally, I'll ask why God does the most bizarre of things. I'm not talking about bad things happening to good people, but things that don't make sense for God to do. Why did an old lady have a heart attack in my church a few years back? If it is a sin to have sex outside wedlock, why does God create life through the act of a sin? Why do Muslims get run over in a stampede when performing the Hajj?

Perhaps I won't have time to ask all these questions as he might hasten to show me to the door (while trying to do it politely).

 

Ask him when did Jesus get his name of Jesus (1630-1632 A.D.), how many different sets of commandments were written on stone tablets (there were four sets of stone tablets, one got broken), when the Protestant Bible got 66 books (1881-1885).

 

Sorry you do not have enough drama going on in your own life to show up at someone else's home to harass them.

 

Could you also mention that the bible also alludes to other records not included in the bible such as the book of Jasher and the book of the law of the lord. Why are they not also afforded the same sacred status as the other 66 books in the bible. If he says they were false, then why does the bible mention them in the first place??

 

I agree with a lot of his points that he brings up, but you are right. That is "forum talk." If you are invited as a guest into someone's home, you should be gracious and polite guest, and just decline the invitation if you feel you cannot behave yourself as an invited guest into someone's home.

 

Well... the guy did invite me to visit and even said he wanted to talk to me about the Bible (while placing his hand on my shoulder as if saying 'brother I wish to show you the straight path'). He should at least know more about who he's talking to before talking about how great his holy book is.

 

Yes. As is the Book of Enoch. That one however is in the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible.

 

No, I'm sorry but I don't agree. if he wants to tout how wonderfully perfect and amazing his God is coupled with how accurate his holy book is then I say why not ask him these questions. If people want to have a "chat" about the truth then they should also be willing to listen as opposed to just having the willing ear servant who gobbles every trite axiom under the pretext of being courteous guest.

 

Because when you accept an invitation to "dinner" then you behave appropriately like an adult. IF he brings it up, that is another story. For to plan to accept a dinner invitation so that you can try and mess with his belief system is just not right. It's not much different than a religious person preaching to YOU.

 

I'll bet you are a liberal. Most liberals have a real problem with civilized behavior, social etiquette and manners, from what I gather.

 

Point taken on that. If he starts. I'll just stick to small talk as long as he skirts the subject. Besides, I don't think he'll have time to listen to a lot I say because he has six kids.

As for being liberal, I'm sorry but that word is too vague to mean anything. Outside the United States anyway.

 

Ah ok if the religious guy doesn't bring any thing up about religion, then sure don't ask him, what would be the point? but if you read the OP he probably will have a religious discussion so you're objection though duly noted is somewhat irrelevant.

 

My point is that you probably shouldn't accept a friendly dinner invitation to catch up or whatever if you are planning on mocking the man.

 

I agree be nice unless he brings up his faith as an issue, then pounce. But it might be best to do a Bible study with his kids tell them a story say the Exodus and bring up issues with it if god was going to harden the rulers heart every time he was going to submit to the wishes of Moses and so was going to unleash all the plagues regardless then is that the actions of a Just god. I mean this being interfered with freewill so was going to punish Egypt regardless. And add then if slavery was bad why did god then in his rules for people allow slavery in the OT and NT and ask them to think about that. Put the seeds in there and see what happens.

 

Quiverfull families often barely work because of the level of care needed for their kids, and rely heavily on government handouts, such as food stamps and WIC. You will rarely hear anything from far righters about this however. Quiverfull families are never called moochers or freeloaders by far righters even though they fit the definition, since they in the situation based solely on their own choice.

 

It depends. Some people enjoy the great debate. This is only determinable in person, in the moment. I have *a few* atheist friends that highly enjoy debating the philosophy of religion with me, usually over drinks and a board game. A family dinner isn't likely to be a great setting for a back and forth on the oft emotional subject of the existance and logic of God and The Bible... but it *should* be!

 

I'm with many others here, I don't see the point in doing any of this. I think you already know what the answers will be to most of those questions, and if you don't, this forum might be a better venue to find out. Of course, respond to any questions and statements (it does sound like he's inviting you to proselytise). I'm sure you have matter-of-fact-ly answers to pretty much anything.

Instead, make a friend, learn something about others' lives. Learn something about them that isn't just about finding a weak spot in their philosophical armour.

 

When someone anticipates being ejected as a result of the exchange, I don't think great debate is what they plan to engage in from the get.

 

Have you met many liberals before!? i mean face to face of course.

 

Heh, frankly, I think the same is true for forums. It's quite possible to discuss the issues sensibly without being impolite.

 

Do you think the only reason he is inviting you over is to convert you ? If so, I might be a bit defensive also. Quiver fulls are an odd sect, the only ones Ive heard of are the Duggars.

Should be interesting. Hopefully within the carefully worded debate you both will also listen to each other.
Don't use enchiladas as weapons.

 

I pretty much agree with most of this. However, I don't think it will be harmful to ask one or two probing questions. Nothing concerning sexuality or asking him about his kids, but have you read it all or not is OK.

Maybe our wives will be peacemakers if it gets awkward...

 

Thats true, but it sounded to me like more of a comical reference to an unlikelihood than an expectation.

 

No way. Forums like this are for blowing off steam about issues that you really can't control, IMO.

 

Of course. Did you think I lived under a rock?