A question for atheists, I need help.?

Question

Well I am great at the art of arguing, but one of my best freinds, who is a girl, is religious and hard to convince. I have made my mom, dad, and brother atheists and I made a freind turn to atheism as well, but I was wondering if you had any ideas on how to help her see the truth. We were at Barnes and Nobles the other day and I started to laugh, she aksed me why I was laughing and I said, "Look, isn't it irnoic that they have religion next to fiction?" She kind of got mad but I relpied, "This must be an intelligent book store." So we started talking about it and I told her that I can't understand how anyone could believe in sceince and the bible. I aksed her thinga bout Noah's ark and how a woman magically got pregnant. She says it happens!
Is she a lost cause or is she still "convertable".

I understand what you guys mean, I don't think I'm as bad as fundies because they go by faith, I prefere facts. I can now laugh at people who believe because it's like me walking up tp you saying I believe in fairies. I didn't walk up to my parents and brother and say convert to atheism because it's right! I was in the stage of changing from a christian to an atheist, and I happened to ask my questions allowed which made my family do the same. We alswyas have and awlays do get into religious conversations, I didn't mean to change them I just did. I am mostly asking for help when we get into these religious arguments. I'm not asking for a way to bring up religion and convert her. If it is inevitable that we get in these arguments then I might as well give her my best right? Well I'm asking for your best. Calm down with the insults please.

Answer 1

As a fellow atheist I can tell you that it is wrong to make your mission to make the world atheists.

Some people need religion, god or whatever.

If they are ready to hear the truth then tell them. If not then leave them but let them know the door is open and you'd be willing to answer any of their questions when the time comes.

Leave her alone and be a good example of an atheist.

Let her come to you.

Answer 2

First of all I don't like the idea of arguing to convert someone. Especially a friend and even more especially a best friend. But instead of using the word atheism, try using the word humanism. It says more about what I am than what I am not. Humanism is a philosophy of life inspired by humanity and guided by reason. It provides the basis for a fulfilling and ethical life without religion.

Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values.
Humanists see no convincing evidence for gods, the supernatural, or life after death.
Humanists believe that moral values are properly founded on human empathy and scientific understanding.
Humanists believe we must live this life on the basis that it is the only life we'll have -- that, therefore, we must make the most of it for ourselves, each other, and our world.
Humanist philosophies have arisen separately in many different cultures over many thousands of years. Whether or not they use the term humanism, tens of millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of people around the world agree with the humanist philosophy of living a happy and productive life based on reason and compassion.

Answer 3

There's a book called "Woe to the women, the Bible tells me so". That might give you some ammunition.

Also check out
http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/
It has a section all about women, as well as science, curelty, absurdity, contradictions, etc. Great reading.

It concentrates stuff like how women have to atone for the sin of menstruation and for giving birth. You already know she will say the OT doesn't apply, but that is the only place she will really see what God is like. He is NOT all love.

Ask her if God created the earth, why does the Bible say it is flat, supported by pillars, with a hard dome over it with the sun, moon and stars affixed to the underside. Does that sound like OUR earth?

Have serious discussions about other religions, the story of Gilgamesh, and how the Vatican sits atop a Mithras temple.

Look at this ancient art with her. See if she can tell you who is Jesus and who is not. There are 3 sections.

http://altreligion.about.com/library/graphics/bl_saviors.htm?once=true

Here's how Christ and other God-men are similar:
http://www.geocities.com/inquisitive79/godmen.html#hours

Here's 20 reasons to abandon Christianty: http://www.seesharppress.com/20reasons.html#numbertwenty

Be gentle with her, you are fighting not only her, but her entire world. Does she try to push religion on you? Maybe she is ready for discussion, maybe not. Is your family happy that they are now atheist? She might not be; some people like believing in Santa and angels and God. But I do think it is time to challenge religion in light of all the religious wars and the fact that the fundies want to control the country as well as the world. And they want to hasten Armageddon so we will all die. Scary!

Answer 4

Why is it your personal mission to make others feel bad about their own personal choices?

You can't "make" her convert. The "way" to Atheism is paved with knowledge. Using your knowledge to politely bring up documented facts without belittling the person you are talking to may open a mind. Tell them that religion = fiction and then put them on the spot to defend stories from the bible doesn't work.

To believe, or not believe, is a very personal decision and bullying never changes anyone's mind.

Answer 5

It is interesting how people say that atheism is not a religion but yet still you talk about converting people to your belief system. Why on earth if you don't belief there is a God will you be worried about someone who does. I thought the religious people are always the ones who people say are narrow minded and always preaching and converting people.

Answer 6

If she actually believes the Noah's Ark story, then obviously she's immune to facts, logic and rational argument. But as long as she keeps it to herself, you may as well leave her be. Whatever floats your ark, right?
If she wants to discuss it with you, then my advice would be to ask her whatever questions caused you to reconsider your own faith. And be patient. If she says something stupid, don't call her stupid, just explain simply why you disagree.
And accept that your arguments might just not convince her. If that seems to be the case, then you should probably back off. Perhaps she needs to work it out for herself, or perhaps she's already worked it out to what she considers a satisfactory extent. If you start to make atheism a prerequisite for your friendship, you're probably not going to make a lot of friends.

Answer 7

i agree with your friend. You may think christianity is stupid but i think atheism is stupid. Have you reviewed the theory of evolution latley. None of it makes sense it is impossible that an explosion caused everything to fit perfectly im only 13 and even i can see that. oh and who here really wants to believe there great grandfather times 1000 was a fish!
Even if christianity wasn't true there is no harm in believing there is a higher power looking after you.

Oh and you want facts hey!
Charles Darwin took back the theory of evolution years ago and
there is evidence from DNA research suggesting we all came from 2 people! (adam and eve)

Answer 8

Having read some of the answers,I feel that,we should not be aggressive in such matters of delicate but deeply ingrained impressions.otherwise,people begin to fortify their defenses and can go to any lengths of absurdity and close all doors for reasoning and rationality,specially for such topic/subjects.Subtle,indirect,indicative and persuasive methods are time consuming but more effective and enduring.Of course,the good old method of personal example is an all time winner.There is no body who is immune to rationality except an idiot or an insane and therefore anybody can be 'Converted',in to rationality if not atheism.Next step shall follow by itself, in it's own time.

Answer 9

You are proud of turning your family to atheism? And now you are trying to destroy the beliefs of your "best friend"?

If you are an atheist, fine, that is your choice. Talk about your beliefs if you wish, but don't try to force them on others, for you atheists hate it when Christians try to do the same with you. And don't poke fun or laugh at the beliefs of others, as it is demeaning.

If she is firm in her beliefs, let her believe as she wishes, stop trying to make her another notch on your gunstock, so to speak. If you continue, you will lose a "best friend".

Answer 10

I find it terribly self-centred that you've "made your mom, dad and brother atheists".

I'm an atheist too, but I don't try and convert anyone. People have the right to believe what they want to believe and you are a disgusting example of a controlling person if what you've said is actually true.

Answer 11

You need to start of more lightly, do not try to open her eyes all the way until she is ready for it. Ask her things regarding the Bible and direct her towards finding the truth of it. That is the key thing, ask the right questions and let her find the answers. She will most likely resist if you outright argue with her, but if she is directed to the right answers by your inquiry it should be a lot easier. If she tries to rationalize something that is obviously far fetched politely direct her to a more logical explanation.

Obviously, if she does not want to discuss it then let her be. But I do commend you on opening so many people's eyes. Blind faith is causing our species a lot of problems.