A way where they don't get all defensive and upset.
2007-09-17 04:24:10 · 38 answers · asked by NONAME 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm a Christian and I don't agree. If a friend of mine told me he/she was atheist, I would not take it to mean that my belief system was BS.
I would just take it to mean we came do different conclusions about life based on our individual interpretations.
The main thing that separates a fundamentalist from a Christian is that a true Christian will always remember that his human concepts of God are limited by time, space, and his mortal brain. Whatever ideation, picture or image I have of God will always be too small and at least partially wrong.
In the eschatological long run, your saying you are an atheist and my saying I'm a Christian might mean exactly the same thing.
2007-09-17 04:30:42 · answer #1 · answered by Acorn 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can't control how they react. You can just tell them what you believe or don't believe. You don't have to tell them they are full of BS. Just say that their beliefs are good for them but not for you.
Try reversing things - if they say they believe, they are probably, in their mind, thinking that you are going to hell. Isn't that rude? Why don't you get defensive and upset at that?
If they know you and are your friend yet they get upset at finding out you are an atheist, they they aren't worth having as friends.
2007-09-17 04:31:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Telling your friends you are an atheist is not like saying they believe BS. Telling them they believe BS, is. I am an Orthodox Christian and I have atheist friends, I only get slightly upset and defensive when they will start questioning my beliefs, not when they state theirs.
2007-09-17 05:00:25 · answer #3 · answered by Sonia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally the topic should not come up too often in a polite society. But if it does with close friends, simply state you respect all belief systems even though you don't always agree then state you're an atheist, or for some self-depreciating humor claim you're a godless heathen.
2007-09-17 05:11:14 · answer #4 · answered by SnakEve 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bite down and do it, or lie if it'll keep the peace. But *please* don't use watered down expressions to spare their feelings.
When they tell you they're Christians, does that feel like they're telling you they believe BS? It should.
It's time to come out of the closet, at least in civilised company. The time is fast approaching where you can identify yourself as an atheist without anyone batting an eyelid, and the fastest way to make that happen is for it to become commonplace.
CD
2007-09-17 04:33:58 · answer #5 · answered by Super Atheist 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that there are quite few real atheists, but many agnostics who call themselves atheists. "I don't believe there is a God" is quite different than "I believe there is NO god". One allows for the possibility of accepting evidence should it become available, the other does not.
If you are actually an agnostic, you could simply say that you are not certain about this "God" thing, that you are unconvinced.
If you are truly an atheist, you are in quite the same position as the believers, and quite at odds with them as well.
2007-09-17 04:37:22 · answer #6 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Christian and I don't get offended when people tell me they are atheist any more than I would if they told me they were Jewish. It's a different belief - that's all. Now I might pity you because I know the benefit to me of my belief and do not see the benefit to you of your belief and I might even try to change your mind if I thought I could but I don't get offended. Maybe some people get offended easily and need to be shaken up a little.
2007-09-17 04:34:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, your belief in nothing would certainly not cause me to think that I believe in "BS", nor would it offend me. I, and most Christians I would say, have enough confidence and assurance of our God than to think that! I would begin to pray that God would do a supernatural work in your life to show you how REAL He is and that you would come to the saving knowlege of Him. Matter of fact, I am praying for you and all of your fellow atheists now! Peace... :)
2007-09-17 04:56:11 · answer #8 · answered by blessed1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always make it seem as if my lack of belief is a shortcoming of mine. This always works because religion makes people believe that they are better than others anyway.
When they talk about religious stuff, I say "I wish I believed as you." or "I don't know if I believe that or not."
You might have to deal with a little evangelism afterwards, but they won't be offended.
2007-09-17 04:34:09 · answer #9 · answered by hyperhealer3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't usually go around wearing a name tag that says Hi! I'm an atheist.
I also don't tell my friends about my personal ideals, unless they ask.
Then I just state I don't believe in god/gods or anything supernatural.
If they immediately begin to try to convert me, I tell them it is not something that is up for discussion. And that I don't want it to get in the way of our friendship. I'm glad they enjoy their beliefs, and leave mine alone.
I am not looking for conversions.
2007-09-17 04:40:46 · answer #10 · answered by Sapere Aude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋