Why can't I pass judgment on an atheist or offer them some religious advice?

Question

Let us assume that I have a friend who is an atheist and this friend has two young kids. This friend of mine has the parenting skills of Spears and engages in some pretty scrupulous activiites. So I tell her that she needs to change her ways and the way she is raising her kids are wrong.

She accuses me of being a fundamental christian and I shouldn't pass judgement on her.

If I use religion, the law, or psychology to tell her that she is wrong, isn't she still wrong? Plus what is more important getting her some help, or the method used to tell her that she needs some help?

I feel like an expert so I am going to advise her. Just joking.

So I shouldn't tell an atheist friend that she needs to change? Why not, if I truly want to help her.

I find the responses quite funny. So if an atheist friend is living a bad life, I can't tell her she needs to change if I use religion. Plus as long as she is not harming her kids and that she enjoys her questionable life style it is okay? Kind of puts what an atheist thinks about morality in perspective.

Plus I wouldn't call CPS right away if I cared about this friend. Everyone knows that they will take the kids away.

Pietzl,
The religion isn't the issue. Making her realize that she needs some help is. So what if I use religion, islam, or Dr. Phil to do it? Wouldn't I be more wrong if I didn't say something?

Answer 1

because it will make them cry and then they will hit the ABUSE button (they love that button)

Answer 2

Well, the thing is that most atheists don't pass judgment on theists either, so they expect the same in return. Of course if your advice is not pertaining to them being atheist then it should be fine.. Everyone needs advice every now and then.

But advice in the form of "you need to find God" can be a bit annoying..how would you feel if somebody kept telling you to 'find buddha' or allah or whatever deity they believe in? It is just a matter of understanding each other's choices.

But if the advice you gave her was just what you typed in your first paragraph, then I can't see why there should be anything wrong with it. It has nothing to do with being fundamentalist, and everything with common sense and genuinely caring for them.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
Reading your additional details makes me think that maybe you didn't understand most of the replies at all. Of course, some people on here like religion bashing, but most of us were just trying to tell you that religion has nothing to do with the issue at hand. For example, a muslim may think that YOU are leading a questionable lifestyle, but would you want them to start bugging you over how you need to change your ways and have them bring their religion into it? Of course they will have different ideas about what is 'questionable', just like an atheist may have different ideas than you (or muslims for that matter) about what is questionable. I think this just puts into perspective how many people believe that only their way of thinking and their morals are 'the right ones'. It is not anyone's place to start criticising you for your beliefs and the choices you make in accordance with those beliefs, as long as your behaviour doesn't affect the people around you in a negative way (hence the comment about 'as long as she isn't neglecting her children' etc.)! All we are asking is that theists extend that curtesy to others aswell.

True, I suppose it would be more wrong if you didn't do anything, but forcing your beliefs onto her isn't going to make her likely to listen. People tend to switch off if you do that.

Answer 3

Being a Christian, God is the judge, not you. I'm sure you already know, judge not lest ye be judged by God. So apparently He doesn't like people doing his job for him. In a religious sense, let people come to there own conclusion,and let them be judged by God. Even Jesus said,"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
Don't spend your life trying to prove everyone wrong. Spend your life being the best Christian you can be. Let God take care of the rest.

____Why are you getting all bent out of shape??? You haven't given any details of the"wrong doing" your friend is engaging in. What answer do you expect other than religious perceptions? Your question was, Why can't I pass judgment on an atheist or offer them some religious advice????
What other answer are you expecting? Either give more details or quit whining.

Answer 4

Why not offer non-religious advice?

If she's a bad parent, what does religion have to do with it?
As for "scrupulous activities," what do you mean? Is it serious, like drugs, alcohol, or compulsive gambling? Or is it something petty, like playing video/roleplaying games, having premarital sex, or being gay (since so many people seem to think it's a choice)?

Of course, according to your Bible, you SHOULDN'T pass judgement ("judge not lest ye be judged yourself," to use a common paraphrasing). That doesn't mean you can't be concerned about her kids or her lifestyle. Just don't bring religion into it - because honestly, it has nothing to do with it.

Answer 5

You cannot change other people, only your own attitudes toward them.

So let me get this straight, she is your "friend".

She in endangering her kids

And your Christian behavior is to preach at her?

Try the phone call to CPS, it works better.

Or is it that you just don't agree with it, not that she is doing anything that directly harms her children. Then, to each his own.

I don't care if she is an atheist or a Christian, or a Muslim, if she is harming her kids she needs stopped.

But preaching has never stopped anyone from doing anything.

Answer 6

First off, nothing is wrong with Brittnys parenting.. she is just dissected by the media. Your friend is correct. All you can do is offer to be there if she needs you or looks for guidance. All you will do by being pushy is drive her away and irritate her. PS. Scrupulous activities are ok. Its the unscrupulous ones you need to watch out for.

Answer 7

As a Christian you know thru Gods word the right way to live and treat your children. Today's parents aren't taught how to raise their kids. Alot aren't even raised right and have nothing to base it on. Tell her the truth and if she rejects it you have to let he make mistakes until they harm the children then you have to let the proper authorities step in. Have you tried praying for them first? They should be your first step asking God to send the right person (might not be you) to them to help get them on the right path.

Answer 8

You seem to like to poke your nose in other peoples business. If you don't see any criminal activity, mind your own business. By the way, I'm an atheist and I think you need some good advice to curb your affinity with religion.

Answer 9

You can pass judgment on her or any other atheist all you want. Won't do you any good because we really don't much care what a christian thinks about how we think since christians are delusional, but nothing is stopping you from passing judgment. Wouldn't be surprised if you loose a friend though.

Answer 10

It's a rule of basic human psychology that nobody welcomes critical advice when it hasn't been asked for. If your friend didn't ask your advice, you should have kept quiet. Her being an atheist has nothing to do with the case. She's a human being, and reacted to your unwanted advice and criticism as most of us would do - not your business, butt out.

wimsey

Answer 11

Do whatever you want. However, do not be surprised or angry when your friend tells you frack off. It is after all her life. As long as her children have a roof over their heads, food to eat, and clothes to wear, you need to mind your own business.