ATHEISTS --- What can Christians do, short of deconverting, to make interaction with you a bit more pleasant?

Question

I asked Christians what they'd want atheists to do to make interactions "nicer", so now I'm asking atheists what Christians should do.

Besides "shedding their indoctrination" and "freeing themselves from delusion", what can they do?

Answer 1

i have no problem with christians what so ever as long as they didnt call me a satan worshipper cause im atheist that would be nice

Answer 2

This applies to everyone, not just christians. Just ask one question at a time. If you ask ten questions in one it just shows you really don't want an answer to begin with. This is just a cheap debate tactic called Machine Gun Tactics.

Next be honest. Don't pretend to know something when it is obvious you don't know the first thing about it. If you don't know something just be honest and admit it.

Don't claim to what the other side believes or claims. If I have a claim I will make it myself. I don't need someone else telling me what I believe. Especially when they are simply lying. A common one Christians use is atheist believe everything is the result of random chance. Nothing could be further from the truth. Just stick with what you believe. Don't tell me what you think I believe.

None of these are unique to Christians but I see some Christians use these a lot.

Answer 3

It isn't all Christians, just the bad representation no matter how cliche it is, don't let a single bad apple ruin the bunch just because a couple popes molested children doesn't mean they all do just because some Christians are hostile and/or uneducated doesn't mean all of them are I was reading Amanda L's questions and answers, and I was exremely angry her take on God's word was very hostile towards atheists and she was a major hypocrite as well She never listened to the opinons of the atheists she asked the questions to, because she was already under the assumption they were wrong Just because she is a bad representation of Christians, don't let her represent us as a whole

Answer 4

That's simple: Stop turning everything into a Christian recruiting center. I'm tired of hearing that science is being challenged by an invisible man everywhere I turn. I have a daughter on the way. Will she go to school and learn about principles, reason, and logic... or will she learn about folklore and fable, confusing them as truth? Also, am I going to constantly have to clean up the mess when she's taught that homosexuals are bad people?

All I want from them is George Carlin's idea for an addition to the Ten Commandments: Keep Thy Religion To Thyself.

Answer 5

1. If they have a religious rule, let it remain a religious rule, one maintained within the bounds of their religion, and not one that leaks out into the rest of the population. The Amish do a superb job at this, and have prospered as a result. Oddly enough, although their proselytizing is annoying, the Jehovah's Witnesses also do a great job at keeping their religious rules within the faith. This applies both to rules against certain acts (homosexuality, abortion, working on Sundays) and rules promoting certain acts (prayers in public, religious Bible studies in schools, teaching intelligent design).

2. Never threaten anyone with hell, even if you believe hell is a real place. While religious folks may believe that they are attempting to save someone, it is as unwelcome as a lifeguard jumping into a synchronized swimming event (i.e., both unnecessary and disruptive). Consider how well received were the Vatican's recent comments that protestant churches were not really churches. References to how a Christian God plans to torture most of humanity for all eternity is not really a way to maintain civil peace.

3. No means no. Never proselytize without asking permission, and if permission is denied, never bring it up again.

- {♂♂} - {♂♀} - {♀♀} -

Answer 6

Leave me alone with the attempts to convert me, especially if you're going to act like you're telling something you think I've never heard before. Trust me, I've heard it all. It didn't work any of the other countless times someone said it, and it's not going to work this time.

Accept that the differences in our beliefs do not make me a bad person. I don't think any less of Christians because of their beliefs, and I would appreciate it if you would extend me the same courtesy.

Even if you don't believe in them, at least try to learn about atheistic and evolutionary perspectives so that you can be sure you're disagreeing with real beliefs and not with something someone made up.

That is all.

Answer 7

stop acting like you are superior.

Listen as much as talk. Use the reasing part of their brain to face up to the obvious contradictions in the bible.
Stop acting so smug , arrogant and childish. Quit belittling people who see things differently than you do.


If your faith is true why can't you describe it well enough for me to "get" it too??
If there is anything worth "getting" I'm open to it.

I did not "Deconvert" your word. I just got fed up with all the church hypocracy.
If Christians would listen to what athiests say without jumping to conclusions that have little merit and would hear them out about the VALID REASONS they don't believe the fairy tale
that would help allot.♥

Answer 8

(1)Make an honest attempt to listen--don't just preach.
(2) Don't make up stories about how I (or any other person) thinks, feels, or believes, and then try to tell me why it's wrong to feel that way. We hear all the time "Atheists are only atheists because they don't want to be held responsible for their actions..." and other nonsense like that ad infinitum. Saying stuff like that might make you feel better, but it really does you no good because there's no truth in it. In fact, spewing nonsense like that simply destroys your credibility. Don't tell me how I think--ASK me how I think. And when I tell you...take my word for it.
(3) Don't threaten me with your God's wrath or the fires of Hell. I don't believe in God and I don't believe in Hell, so those threats sound like a desperate attempt to scare me into believing in your religion because you have no valid arguments.
(4) Don't say things like "Isn't it obvious there is a God?" or "Proof of God is all around you if you just open your eyes..." No, it isn't obvious that there's a God. If it was, I wouldn't be atheist. And what you deem to be proof, is not proof to me. Ex: A rainbow is evidence of moisture and sunlight--not evidence of an invisible, magical, supernatural being.

For more truly helpful suggestions about how to talk to an atheist so they will listen, and maybe even respect what you have to say, see here:
http://www.ebonmusings.org/atheism/theistguide.html
http://www.ebonmusings.org/atheism/hownot.html

Answer 9

Oh, I'm gonna get my hand slapped for entering an "atheists only" post. I'm not atheist, but this is what I (a professed fundie) would do for atheists - I would host a big pajama party at my house, camp out in my oversized living room with lots of pillows and sleeping bags, eat lots of snacks packed with saturated fat, cholesterol, & salt, and tell ghost stories... then have a massive pillow fight! Yeah!

No preaching, no proselytizing, ... just fellowship and fun. This is my tact, really.

Answer 10

I have several pleasant interactions with Christians everyday. When it becomes unpleasant is when they try to convert me or condemn a group of people for their beliefs. So, they should just find peace in their faith and allow others to do the same. I don't mind if they tell me about their religion. I love to learn about people's faiths. But then they should be willing to listen and learn about other faiths as well. Don't tell me my way is wrong or try to convert me and I will afford you the same consideration.
"When you judge people, you have no time to love them."
"Each of them is Jesus in disguise"
- Mother Teresa
Edit- Dr G, I'll bring the Doritos and soda!

Answer 11

I get along with the majority of Christians in my life just fine. Most of my good friends are Christians. The only Christians I don't get on with are the ones who assume I've never heard of Jesus, who try to convert me, or who call me things like subhuman and evil. So... if any Christians are doing those things, they could stop and we'd get along great!