Atheists - what do you say when people want to convert you?

Question

i am getting a bit fed up with alot of my friends trying to "convert" me...one even tricked me into going to a christian group. what do you say to people who try to make you see the light?

thanks for all the answers! im glad im not the only one. as much as i love my friends, i dont force why i DONT believe on them....i respect them enough to leave them with their faith. ive just never had it as much as i have tried....so i dont appreciate being told im going to hell if i dont change or something!

Answer 1

Christian group, eh? Ask them what the male/female ratio is, whether they go to a bar afterwards or do they pair up during exercises. You could ask 'em if they're letting chicks into the priesthood yet. Mormons? You still got that underwear fetish thing? I might not fit in with that. The list of excuses is longer than your arm.

Answer 2

Friends and relatives no longer talk to me about it, the subject will never come up, they know I wont go to any church.
If invited to a wedding I go to the reception only! Funeral I would commiserate to relatives and that's it.
I did go through a stage where I wanted to verbally wade into door knockers, and actually invited a few in to discuss whatever rubbish they were spouting, I finally realised that I couldn't win, in fact I even had a few scary moments during one of these sessions it was a group of 3 middle aged women, I think they were Jehovah's witness's. I asked the usual questions and got the usual answers, Then I noticed they all looked very serene they all had a sort of 'sparkle' in their eyes, similar to a 'druggie' look, there was no way I could discuss anything with this bunch.
Now if I get any one knocking, I take the leaflet, say thank you and close the door, I have read so many I just bin them now.
I actually feel sorry for them and feel no need to insult them
In your case I dont know if your 'friends' are just trying to get up your nose, if thats it then no harm in a bit of banter, you can take that cant yo?
If these 'friends' are serious you should do the same as I do with the leaflets, bin them! Obviously nutters.
Another way to stop it all is firstly to learn all you can about the subject, I assume they are Christians?
Just get your facts right find out what you need to believe to be a 'true' Christian , as an example take the Holy Trinity they 'must' believe that Jesus was the Son of God, he was and still is God himself, and on top of that he is 'The Holy Spirt' I'll bet my bottom dollar 90% of your friends wont have clue what you are talking about . They actually all 'play' at being Christians.
Ditto goes for all the other religions BTW!
Read ,Learn and know your facts, you will leave the floundering, they wont be so fast having a go again.
So either keep taking it on the chin for a bit, or fight back, or bin them, how you can put up with the hassle you are now is beyond me.

Answer 3

Atheist Criticisms of Religion
The bad
Not all atheists are hostile to religion, but many do think that religion is bad. Here are some of their reasons:

Religion gets people to believe something untrue.
Religion makes people base the way they run their lives on a falsehood.
Religion stops people thinking in a rational and objective way.
Religion forces people to rely on outside authority, rather than becoming self-reliant.
Religion imposes irrational rules of good and bad behaviour.
Religion divides people, and is a cause of conflict and war.
The hierarchical structure of most religions is anti-democratic, and thus offends basic human rights.
Religion doesn't give equal treatment to women and gay people, and thus offends basic human rights.
Religion obstructs scientific research.
Religion wastes time and money.
The good
Most atheists willingly concede there are some good things about religion, such as:

Religious art and music.
Religious charities and good works.
Much religious wisdom and scripture.
Human fellowship and togetherness.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/atheism/beliefs/criticisms.shtml

Answer 4

I start with a polite "no, thank you" and escalate from there until they finally get the message. I make an effort to include Christians in my circle of friends. Most of them appreciate the courtesy. I can understand that Christians want to talk about Jesus and that's OK with me, to a point. If they start quoting the gospel or threatening me with an eternity in Hell, I ask them to please leave and don't come back.

Answer 5

I'm not an Atheist, but I have had friends and even strangers of the Evangelical faith, who have tried to convert me. I try to tell them nicely that I'm simply not interested, but that doesn't. So I'm stumped as well.

Answer 6

If someone wants to be my friend, he/she has to act like a friend. That means treating me with the same respect I offer them, and not trying to convert me just as I'm not trying to convert them.

Answer 7

I tell them that I'm a Marxist - it usually works and happens to be true. Also find one good biblical quote to quote back at them. For example:

"When I was a child I spoke as a child I understood as a child I thought as a child; but when I became a man I put away childish things." I Cor. xiii. 11.

Answer 8

i tell them thay are being conned by a fairy tale but i do not get hapering to me because i live in the uk and the christians are dieing out here so i am lucky i feel sorry for the atheists in the usa when thay keep trying to convert you thay try on here

Answer 9

I think everybody should have a choice whether they follow religion or not. It is not for one group to push their views on to another. Why are your friends so keen to 'convert' you from what you believe is right. I would never force religion on a friend who wasnt religious.

Say thanks but no thanks firmly. If they are true friends they will take the hint!!

Answer 10

Nobody should try to "convert" you. What they should be doing is sharing their faith with you, and leave it at that. What you do with the information is up to you. Christians were never called to convert anyone, only share the gospel. Your conversion is not up to any Christian or any other relition, it is up to you.