Recently, a girl in my homeroom class (whom I don't know at all) has started being very friendly to me. She has invited me to go with her to her church's youth program on Wednesday nights. I want to refuse her invitation because I do not believe in her religion. I'm afraid of bluntly sharing my own beliefs because my whole community is so strongly religious while I'm an agnostic atheist. I don't want to hurt the girl's feelings. What should I do?
2007-05-08 15:29:28 · 17 answers · asked by Cosette 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Tell her that you appreciate her thinking of you, but that you don't go to church. When she asks why you can tell her that you are a religious skeptic and are unwilling to play favorites.
FYI: Agnosticism and atheism are two conflicting beliefs. You cannot be both. Let me explain.
An agnostic says "There COULD be something out there bigger than us, but I don't believe it unless I see it. I guess I'll know when I die, won't I?"
An atheist says "There is NOTHING else out there. No higher power. When we die we are worm food and nothing more. Period."
Anyhow....have fun figuring it out. I still haven't.
2007-05-08 15:39:51 · answer #1 · answered by dancing_in_the_hail 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would gently say "no, thank you" and explain that you are very firm on not discussing spiritual beliefs with anyone. Stay strong and beg her to respect your beliefs and again firmly state you do not wish to share what those beliefs are. Use the broken record response, continuously repeat what you tell her without deviation. Do not allow her to control the conversation by asking further questions. Give the above answers and offer nothing more. Stating "Please respect my spiritual privacy" stated over and over again will finally get your message across. It is possible that you will lose a potential friend, but many christians use the guise of potential friendship only to lure people to their "one true church". You do not have to state you are an atheist and invite further argument. Merely repeat those words I stated earlier and it will drive her away. Good luck.
2007-05-08 16:39:37 · answer #2 · answered by Zenawoo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell her you appreciate her kindness in inviting you to her Church, but you don't feel its appropriate for you attend because you don't share the same beliefs. She shouldn't get offended because she would probably decline if you asked her to go with you to an Agnostic Atheist gathering (or something of that sort).
2007-05-08 15:34:43 · answer #3 · answered by Devi 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about her church, but at mine; the Wednesday Youth night is just a night for teens and pre-teens to get together. They play games or watch movies, it does not involve worship services or sermons.
Why would you not want to go, to make new friends and have fun?
2007-05-08 15:38:41 · answer #4 · answered by yahweh_is_the_lord 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just say "I thank you for the invitation, but I really would rather not go to church with you." If she persist, " I have my own beliefs and I thank you for wanting to share yours, but no thank you." That should do the trick but if she is really persistent, " I would really like it if we could NOT have this conversation again, Please respect me and stop trying to persuade me. My answer is no thank you."
2007-05-08 15:40:57 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just say "Thank you for asking me, but I'm really not interested". Or if you don't think she'll accept that, tell her you already have something going on on Wednesday nights, like family game night or something.
2007-05-08 15:33:32 · answer #6 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just say "Thank you for inviting me, but I'm not really interested. I don't follow that particular faith." If she really wants to be your friend, the conversation can grow from there, and you can learn about each other as people.
2007-05-08 15:36:08 · answer #7 · answered by MamaBear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone should try everything once to get a perspective on life...if you havent gone to church before, try it. You might enjoy it. If you're hell bent (take that literally) on not going, then just say no. People do understand that word you know. If you were to go, then you have a more valid excuse for not returning. Maybe it's Gods way of trying to show you that you're going down the wrong path? God bless you and good luck to you and, if you take that offensively, then theres another sign for ya...
2007-05-08 15:37:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Tell her you're doing something else. Or "I appreciate your offer, but I don't feel comfortable. I have a different religion and I'm really sorry if it offendes you." Or something along the lines of that. ^_^
2007-05-08 15:38:03 · answer #9 · answered by *NatAlie* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be honest with her. Thank her for the invite but tell her that you are an atheist. She should understand. I would rather you not lie. She will apreciate your honesty. Tell her what you told us.
2007-05-08 15:36:02 · answer #10 · answered by demetria_nyree 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋