Yesterday I received an invitation I have no desire to take the person up on, and I can't figure out how to politely decline without hurting her feelings.
It seems a bit ludicrous that I can't find my way through this situation, having had some experience in life, but this one kind of has me stumped.
The woman is someone I trained at my job several months ago, and as it happened I was going through a really hard time and ended up confiding in her and crying. She was very kind and has been quite supportive. I normally wouldn't open up this much to a trainee, but I couldn't help it because I was very emotional at the time. She didn't work out in the job but knows how to contact me, and has been in touch.
I got an invitation from her in the mail yesterday, to go to a play her church is putting on. I am not going to go to the play, and have no desire to go to her church. I have already declined some offers on her part, and have indicated that I'm not interested in her church activities, while trying to remain respectful and tolerant. I actually have rather strong feelings about it but don't want to be rude and say how I really feel - it would just hurt her needlessly.
I can't come up with some excuse because the thing is running for a month or so. I can't say I'm busy that night because there are many other nights. I don't want to be rude and tell her what I think about her church events, and I can't think of how I would decline honestly and still be nice. I have to admit, I have a real "people-pleaser" personality and can't stand the thought of being rude to her.
I feel that she has put me in a really awkward position. Unfortunately, I feel like she is trying to push her religion on me in the guise of being friendly. Any suggestions?
