My friend sends me like 10 religious emails a day since she "found God". Incidentally I have already recieved these same ones over the years. so I asked her this:
"Just a curious question because I do not talk about religion with many people but Would you totally freak out if I told you that I was Atheist?"
Not sure if I was plain enough because here is what was sent back
"I would not freak out, I still love you and will always love you. God gives you that choice "
and then she sent me another "inspirational" message
Do I have to be mean and ask her to remove me or just keep on quietly deleting?
thanks for all your answers
2007-06-28 09:49:16 · 20 answers · asked by FallenAngel© 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I would politely ask her to stop sending them. If she's a true friend, she'll respect your beliefs.
2007-06-28 09:55:58 · answer #1 · answered by Kallan 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Maybe she did get the point but is still trying to reach you just in case your heart might still be searching for answers.
Now, I don't mean to offend anyone who truly fits the "Atheist" bill, but understand that there are many people who are parading under the Atheist banner who are not Atheists at heart. Some have had a bad experience with religion, or have fallen on hard times that they can't reconcile with the concept of a loving God watching over us. Others are actually Agnostic and do not completely rule out the possibility of a higher power, although they might not be certain exactly what they think that higher power might be.
Your friend obviously loves you very much. Understand that all Christians are not the judgemental legalists that many Atheists believe we are. Some of us will try to reach out to you from a place of love, no matter what you call yourself. We believe that God will call you to Him when and if you are ever ready and that we should simply be loving and patient and share as much with you as you allow us to.
Know that your friend is not coming to you in an antagonistic spirit, but out of care and concern. Take it for what it's worth and quietly delete the messages, if you feel you must, but don't repay her love with offensiveness.
2007-06-28 10:06:52 · answer #2 · answered by Simon Peter 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have the same problem with my soon to be mother in law. I asked that here, too, and what I did was made a folder in my email to which all her "inspirational" forwarded messages get sent. Anything without the little paperclip, I read. Everything with the paperclip, I delete right away. I didn't tell her, either. Wouldn't do any good if I had, she'd probably just send more!
2007-06-28 09:55:12 · answer #3 · answered by ReeRee 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
People who believe believe that they should share their faith, bring more people into the fold. Plus, with some of them, it's just that they really enjoy their beliefs and want you to enjoy them too (and they don't understand why you don't).
I think a person should be honest about his beliefs, so telling her you were an atheist was the right thing to do--if she has a problem with it, that's -her- problem. You'll notice she doesn't have a problem telling you (and everyone) that she's a Christian. 8^)
If she says God gives you that choice, then SHE should give you that choice. She should respect your feelings and beliefs if she expects you to respect hers. You can respect someone's belief, even talk about it, without believing it yourself. (And I really do like to try on other people's ideas and beliefs for size. I'm not looking for religion but I find all religions fascinating.)
If the e-mails bother you, you should ask her to stop sending them. If you really don't want to hurt her feelings, deleting them quietly is another option. If you want to be confrontational, try arguing with them, or saying 'Thats nice but I believe . . . '
2007-06-28 09:57:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it's time to have that chat with her.
The one that goes: Y'know that stuff you keep sending to me? Well it really p*sses me off and if you keep sending it to me it's gonna seriously damage the friend ship we have.
I apologise for my bluntness but you weren't accepting hints I was an Atheist and not amused. Well, I AM an Atheist and I'm not amused.
Look, I’m happy for you with your new found religion and all but I have no need to go there.
Depending on how much you need/want want her friendship will depend on how heavy you go.
You could also do the 'stand in my shoes' bit - how would you like it if I sent you Atheist literature day in day out?
If all that fails kill her; you'd be acquitted on the grounds she made you do it.
2007-06-28 13:00:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would keep quietly deleting. Also, consider that you didn't really tell her to stop, just told her you were Atheist. (Some people need to be knocked on the head to get the point.)
At least she's not yammering it in your face all the time. If that starts, you might have to tell her to stop.
2007-06-28 09:55:04 · answer #6 · answered by MyPreshus 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
She may be sending you religious e-mails now because she thinks that you, as an atheist need them.
I would politley thank her for thinking of you when she prays to God, but you do not really get very much out of the religious e-mails and she does not need to send them to you.
If she STILL sends you religious e-mails, you will have to be blunt and tell her that you do not want or need religious e-mails.
2007-06-28 09:55:35 · answer #7 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the project is that Republicans did not say a be conscious approximately spending while Bush replaced into president and spending our youngster's technology away on Iraq and Afghanistan or Giving Wall highway American tax funds everyday as company welfare . So the subjects is which you and your fellow Reps are Hypocrites .
2016-09-28 14:01:22 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think quietly deleting is the only thing to do here. i have a similar thing with someone who sends me those annoying chain letter things. i've tried telling her not to because they're really annoying but she keeps on sending them anyway.
it depends how much you like the person. i really like this person and i wouldn't want to remove her to i just delete the crap.
2007-06-28 09:55:39 · answer #9 · answered by AJ 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, technically you didn't tell her you are an atheist. You asked her a "what if". Try telling her, be as nice as you were the first time, and that you don't really want her e-mails. If that don't work, just keep deleting.
2007-06-28 09:53:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
you have three choices
1) you can keep the friendship and just quietly delete the emails
2) you can tell your friend that the emails make you uncomfortable and please not send them anymore and risk causing damage to the friendship
3) you can stop being friends with her and block her emails
2007-06-28 09:53:10 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋