How can I convince my religious housemates that I am not ignorant of christianity, I just don't believe it?

Question

One of the most frustrating things for me as an atheist is the constant assumption that I don't know what I'm talking about. I'm a university student, I read and researched the bible extensively as a teenager, my bookcase is full of books on philosophical and religious considerations, I was brought up in highly religious communities, I went the four different primary schools and they were all CofE. Clearly, I know nothing about religion.

Answer 1

Start quoting scripture (in context). Have intellectual discussions with them about their beliefs. It'll help them understand yours better, too.

Answer 2

Oh I am sure your pride is hurt a bit. After all, your roomies have not studied the great religions of the world like you have, and they have not read all the books on the metaphysical side of things like you have. So you want the appropriate respect. They treat you like a guilty sinner who needs to be saved. They think you are unaware of your sinfulness and that you are totally ignorant of the justice of God. They are convinced you have not really examined the gospel concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. You really can't blame them. They read in the Bible that only a fool says there is no God. So I can imagine what you are going through.

Answer 3

Stop trying to convince them, you're wasting your time. There's this wonderful book called "The Authoritarians," written by a long time professor at the University of Manitoba (a large Candadian U) who's studied many different personality types. One of the things he found is that a lot of right-wing people tend to be authoritarians and, no matter what we say/do/think/feel, they know better than us and truly know the situation more and we should listen to them, etc... ugh.

In any event, if you've explained to these house mates of yours that you've studied the bible before and you know quite a bit about religion... and just don't believe it... there's probably *nothing* you can do to convince them if they still don't believe you. They truly believe you just haven't been enlightened and you just don't know enough about it.

Your best bet is one of two options:

1. Tell them to "agree to disagree."
2. Get new roomates.

PS I'll include a link to that book's website. A lot of it is available online.

Answer 4

Being ignorant of Christianity and being ignorant of what it means to be a Christian are two totally different things. Clearly, you are well acquainted with Christianity as a religion. What you lack (in her eyes) is knowledge of the personal experience of being a Christian, which may or may not be true. You might try explaining it in reverse terminology. Obviously, she has no idea of a personal experience with atheism, but knows what she thinks it would mean for her (per your last question). This girl has some issues with defining and labeling. If you can get past that, she won't seem near as snooty about it.

Answer 5

Send them this question. I'm convinced that you have looked closely at the Christian religion and decided that you don't believe it. If you have really studied the Bible you should be able to point out some serious flaws in their own doctrine....I'm a believer, but that method seems to keep mainstream Christians from trying to get me to go to their church. LOL

Answer 6

Have you tried the point-and-laugh tactic?

When they bring up the subject, give them a tiny condescending smile and murmur, "Ah, yes, more tales of the magic flying man who saved the world by getting nailed to a tree. And what have you got by way of evidence -- pictures of the Virgin Mary on a slice of burnt toast?"

Or words to that effect. Godders like to think they're different from the rest of us, but of course this is just more nonsense. Mockery has an effect; godders hate to be laughed at and after a few sputtering rebuttals, they'll probably decide you're not worth their trouble.

Answer 7

People like that won't be convinced until you agree with them. As far as they are concerned if you don't believe what they believe in then you don't understand Christianity because anyone who does understand it would believe in it. That's their thinking.

You can try quoting stuff back at them to show your knowledge but if they've bought a doctrine hook, line and sinker then there's little you can do.

:-(

Answer 8

Friend,

Religion is not that matters, Relationship with GOD is.
Live a life with close relationship with GOD.

I am not a religious fanatic or follower of some dogmatic principle. What i believe is something that has the eternal meaning of life, YES I believe and obey the commandments of Christ. Why Christ? Coz HE is the only one who died for our sins and now Risen again, seated in the Right hand of God. He still beckons to you in loving and never failing WORDS.."come unto me and i will give you rest."

Will you accept the Truth.

Answer 9

Why bother. You might want to simply ask them to explain some of the more obvious problems to you making them think foor a change and giving you entertainment as they turn their beliefs inside out trying to escape from logic.

Answer 10

Seems like it's a gang-up house...it's harder to deal with a pack of people so maybe you should try getting them alone one by one with your group of Athiest friends. Don't attack, just educate. They will never understand until they walk a mile in your shoes.

Or you can just tell them you don't care and refuse to listen.

Answer 11

Went through exactly the same thing. They ended up realising that I was far less ignorant than them, but didn't matter. They LOVED their ignorance.