How do you deal with people who try to shove their religion on you?

Question

I am an atheist by the way. If it's a friend, I don't mind because I can tell them off and they usually know better than to discuss religion with me. But if it's a relative or an acquaintance, I HAVE to be nice to them for my family's sake esp. my parents--who would rather have me tell lies than say that I am irreligious.

Sorry been there done that. I'll have you know I used to be very religious once upon a time. But that was then. Now I am an atheist and unless something divine is revealed to me, my thoughts about religion aren't going to change.

Pikachu: The thing is they say "it's your life...I really don't have a right to butt in" but they still end up giving me a lecture. And I am as rude as I can be without completely breaking off the relationship and they still don't get it. They never try to see my point of view.

odds10to1: you have never met a preachy person, have you?

Answer 1

I ask them why they think their religion is the "right" one. I can make thousands of religions up off the top of my head and nobody would be able to prove them wrong so why should I use that one?

Answer 2

I'm Pagan, and have been for a long time. At this point, my friends who've stayed my friends over the years accept me as I am.

My family is aware I'm not Christian, but--for the most part, anyway--they don't try to push their beliefs on me. They know I'm a good person, and that, fortunately, is what's most important to them.

With acquaintances, if I'm invited to a church service or something similar, I say, "No thanks. I'm not interested." Usually they will take the hint and not push it any further.

If someone absolutely refused to take no for an answer, I would say something like, "I appreciate your concern, but I need to make my own choices."

Answer 3

Sometimes, you need to stand up for yourself and go against the wishes of the majority, even if that consists of your parents. Just because other people tell you to do something doesn't make you compelled to do it. I would very clearly tell off people who tried to shove their faith down my throat, regardless of who they were. I've actually gone through the same problem, and my family now respects my beliefs- it's just an issue of staying true to yourself.

Sweet Suzy, would you say the same about an atheist who tried to get someone to give up their religion? I somehow doubt it.

Answer 4

With anyone else I usually walk away and ignore them and not engage with them. With friends I basically tell them to back off and usually they realize they can either keep their religion out of our friendship or find their way out of my life. With family it is harder but it's no fun living a lie either. Fortunetely most of my family has been fairly accepting, but with some I've basically had to do to them the same I did to those friends....tell them that my faith or lack thereof is my business and mine alone and they can respect that or I'll show them the door. It's hard especially when it is family, especially your parents who are supposed to be like the two people on earth who love you unconditionally and accept you for who you are no matter what but it's important that you be happy and you can't be happy if you're forced to lie all the time.

Answer 5

Hm...to the lady who answered first: If we should be more open-minded, then you should be more open minded when us atheists say that God is fake and the Bible is false, etc. You might learn something...to answer the question though...I would say the same thing to the acquittance, and family members the same thing as I do my friends, "Stop it, tell me, don't preach it" Also, if your parents are like that...well, my parents are like that too, so I know how you feel your pain...

Answer 6

I would tell my relatives and acquaintences the same thing: "Thank you very much for trying to share your religious beliefs with me. However, I am not in the market to buy any. How about them Cubs?"


They usually get the message after I say that.

Answer 7

Haha, I usually just debate with them! I love a good debate. (why do you think I'm on here?)
But maybe you should just tell them, nicely, that you'd rather not talk about religion with them "right now". That way it doesn't seem like you are completely closed to talking about it. But it's the truth, and it's a polite way of telling them. If they keep going, just say it again. Seriously.

Answer 8

Tell them politely that u don't believe in what they believe. You do have an option to leave the room after that. u make yourself put up with it. If i did not believe in what someone was saying there would be nothing and no-one that could or would make me stay and listen. excuse yourself from the room and go about your business. It isn't polite to tell anyone of. If u can't have a discussion being calm u have a lot of growing up to do.

Answer 9

I usually smoke cigarettes and drink Coffee with Carolina.

And I'm a believer.

But I'm also ornary.

Have a Ham Sandwich with a Kosher Dill Pickel.

Learn to be Ornary.

It'll get you a violation notice!

Answer 10

Just tell them you don't want to hear it....

But I don't understand why you don't want to discuss religion. I understand if your friend is like "you should come to my church, blah blah blah" but if they're like "did you know Buddhists believe.....*fill in the blank*" why would you get upset? Maybe you should look at religion in a more philosophical view rather than something that is always being "forced" even when simply being discussed.

Answer 11

I generally just say, "If your religion works for you and helps you be a better person and face the world every day, that's great for you and I'm happy for you, but it's not the same thing that will work for me. I show you respect by not shoving my own faith on you, please show me that same respect. Thank you."

That usually gets people to leave me alone. When it doesn't, I just ignore the person and/or vacate the area.