How do I tactfully ask my religious friends........?

Question

To stop forwarding me inspirational, religious emails.

Thanks you guys. It looks like a lot of us have this problem. I certainly don't want to hurt feelings, and it DOES only take a moment to delete. But part of me is offended that they would send me this kind of stuff.

They know my dedicated non-religious status.

Would love to make a point with them, but also not loose them as friends? Well, maybe I don't care :)

Lady G...... I don't even know...... your creepy response is proving my point beautifully.

Answer 1

I just asked my friend to stop sending me any forwards at all, because I don't bother reading them and I don't like the inbox clutter. I tried to be funny, so she would know it was nothing personal, but I also tried to be firm.

Answer 2

I am a Christian, that being known, I have a relative that packs my email with religious tracts and although I read one from time to time, it truly is like leaving beds to make up, the car to gas up etc. His personality is such that I don't want to hurt him, so I too will be reading your responses for a possible solution.

Answer 3

This is something I need to know too.

one time I almost sent back something that would have made them angry. It was some crap about how the numbers in god add up to 100% or something like that. I spent hours trying to figure out a sentence that included the word satan that would equil 100% but I chickened out and never sent it.

Answer 4

I suggest "nosleepthree's" answer.
This has worked nicely for me.
I frankly do not have time to sit and wait for all the forwards and then the actual message and don't like the chain mails attached with them either.
This is what I told my friends whom I email and has worked great.
It is called respect for one another and one's religious views shouldn't have anything to do with it!

Answer 5

I ran into this with a co-worker. I basically said "I appreciate you thinking of me, but I would rather not receive religious e-mails." I'm not so nice if they continue to send me such e-mails. Continuing to do so after being gently asked not to (minus the occasional innocent "oops! Sorry, I forgot!") is nothing short of rudeness, and should be addressed as such.

Answer 6

Just tell them that you don't want to recieve any more religious emails. If they ask you why just tell them that you don't enjoy reading them and that you would really appreciate it if they left you off the email list for those ones. You don't have to bring beliefs into it. It shouldn't be a big deal. It's your email.

Answer 7

Well, my definition of "tactfully" maybe different than yours, but I have emailed people back with, "Thanks for thinking of me, but I'm not really into these types of emails. Don't stop sending the jokes though!" If the friend is offended with your request, then #1) they probably aren't a very good friend and #2) they probably aren't a very good Christian (if that's their religion) or they'd accept you for who you are. Good luck!

Answer 8

Go to the magazine shop and pull out a bunch of subscription cards for adult magazines. Put your religious friend’s information on them and check the bill me later box.

Show the cards to the friends and tell them for every one thing religious you receive from them. You are going to place a subscription card in the mail.

Answer 9

Critique them.

Put nice atheistic quotes at the end. Douglas Adams and Carl Sagan are good sources.


Why do it tactfully? Do they not know your belief system? If they do, how tactfull is for them to spam you with this stuff?

Answer 10

In the same way you just asked the question. If they are offended, then ask them if the friendship is more important than their proselytizing.