There is a kid that sits next to me in my Biology class who is an atheist. I am a Baptist. All he does all during class is ask me question after question in trying to prove me wrong and he makes fun of me because of my religion all the time. I try to answer his questions the best I can, but he just laughs at me. Anyone got any ideas on how I can get him to stop?!
2007-11-05 10:44:08 · 24 answers · asked by Virginia15 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
He's my lab partner and were not allowed to switch partners and I've tried ignoring him, but he really wants to put me down.
2007-11-05 10:51:32 · update #1
The more I ignore him the more he makes fun of me.
2007-11-05 10:53:07 · update #2
Shadows- in response to your answer, I've wanted to punch him, but have restrained. It's better I set a good example instead of breaking his nose.
2007-11-05 10:57:42 · update #3
Pray. Pray for his salvation; for a softening of his heart; for the Holy Spirit to fill your mouth and give great testimony of the Christ, Jesus who saves. Know that YOU cannot save him - God must call him to his son. If you are opening the lines of communication, you are completely on the right track - good for you. Remember never to get upset or flustered. If he asks you something you don't know just say I don't know but I'll research it and get back to you. The best witnesses have the most passion not the best rhetoric. You don't have to have all the right words, you have the right heart. Plead with God on his behalf, love thy enemies and request their salvation. Be a faithful steward of God's word. Read the bible daily and get familiar with the new testament. Ask your pastor for help with tricky passages to better witness. Ask your parents - they may have fantastic insight. Blessings!
2007-11-05 10:52:17 · answer #1 · answered by Ann 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like he seeks attention. Ignore him, and he'll stop.
There are basically two kinds of atheists (and theists, but that's a different story): Those who just live life as best as they can, and those who strive to tear down the faith of everyone around them.
The former can tend to ask a lot of questions, in order to live life as best as they can. The latter tend to ask a lot of questions just to make other uncomfortable.
Since this classmate keeps pestering you, I'm willing to bet that he is in the latter category. That means that he derives pleasure from your discomfort (called schadenfreude). If you can stop giving him the pleasure, he'll give up.
Don't even mention your religion. After he asks his questions, just respond with, "We're all seeking the answers. I'll get back to you once I am convinced you're ready for one."
And just casually go back to what you're doing.
Edit: The more you ignore him, the harder he tries. That's because he knows he can still get a rise out of you. You can't just ignore once and hope that works. He will try to go farther than before. You just need to keep strong in your ignoring.
2007-11-05 18:47:49 · answer #2 · answered by Rev Kev 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In the first place, you are there to learn Biology. You should not be in a position where you need defend your faith or religious beliefs. Do not let anyone tell you that you have to put up with someone else's boorish behavior.
IT IS NOT YOUR JOB OR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHANGE HIM!!
Tell your teacher that he is harassing you and you no longer are willing to tolerate it. When your teacher tells you that you are not allowed to switch partners, respectfully tell your teacher that you are going to report this to the principal.
You should have a new lab partner the next day.
In the highly event that your principal sides with your teacher you can respectfully tell them that you are going to make a phone call to your local newpaper and local school board.
2007-11-05 19:41:37 · answer #3 · answered by WhatsYourProblem 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would tell him that if he really has a question and really wants to know something about Jesus that he can talk to you personally outside of class(like during a lunch or write them down or something). I would ask him if not to leave you alone, most of the time I realize they act like that for two reason they want to know and just trying to cover it up, or they want to bug you and try to get you to doubt what you believe which is an attack. Make sure you pray about it.
I would talk to the teacher and let her the the specific reason why you want to switch if you have to try to talk to the principle or the counselor about the issue.
Also, you might think I am crazy when I say this but pray for him I am truly pray for him about the state of his soul.
2007-11-05 18:53:44 · answer #4 · answered by Godslilgurlalways 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Rev Kev has him pegged. He's trying to get a rise out of you. As hard as it is, ignore him. He'll eventually give up and move on to someone else. I'd be tempted to tell him first, though, you seem so interested in my religion, you should come to my church next Sunday. I'm sure the pastor could answer your questions better than me... and leave it at that.
When you ignore him, initially the behavior will increase, but as long as you are consistent and continue to ignore him, he will give up. He can't keep it up and will move on to an easier target.
2007-11-05 18:56:16 · answer #5 · answered by Suen 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Pastor Billy says: sounds like this kid is a bully, and a bully can't be ignored, here is what you do remind him that 99.9% of the world's population believes in a creator and he should laugh at himself for his lack of knowledge. Then recite to him all the numerous scientists/biologists who were Christians, one that comes to mind is Mendelson. Do a google search for Christian scientists
To paraphrase G.K Chesterton "to take the supernatural out of creation does not leave you with what is natural but what is unnatural"
addendum: the scientist I was thinking about is Mendel not Mendelson see the following http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendel
2007-11-05 19:15:50 · answer #6 · answered by Pastor Billy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get the book called "A Case For Faith" by Lee Stroebel. (I hope I got the spelling right) He was an atheist and a newspaper reporter. He decided to investigate the claims of Christianity as a reporter, figuring he would justify his atheism. Instead, his investigation led him to become a Christian. Don't try to get him to stop. Instead, take his questions to your pastor or other knowledgeable Christian and get the best answer you can. Maybe you can save his soul!
2007-11-05 18:58:39 · answer #7 · answered by Michael B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stand up in front of the whole class and yell at him, I refuse to be persecuted any longer by a godless heathen, then ask the teacher what they are going to do to put a stop to it as your right to Freedom of Religion is being violated, if the teacher don't act on it that very instant, walk out and refuse to go back until the issue is resolved.
2007-11-05 18:52:16 · answer #8 · answered by LaptopJesus 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Where is your teacher, while all this talking and laughter is going on?
If it is bothering you that much, ask your teacher to relocate you in the classroom. If the person that is bothering you, is doing it just for meaness as it sounds, he will have a hard time from the other side of the room.
2007-11-05 18:49:19 · answer #9 · answered by 2ndchhapteracts 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i would say punch the little prick right in the face but of course that wouldnt be very christian like. my best advice would be telling him to mature past the age of five and agree to disagree. but the most powerful method would just to give a quick request to god and pray that he'll eaither find jesus in his life or leave you alone. also it could help if you researched some evidence on why not believing in a god takes more faith in beleiving in one. for instance many great scientist's believed in a god, some being issac newton and albert einstein, just remeber those who attack another persons faith without defending their own ussally have much doubt about their own beliefs
2007-11-05 18:52:58 · answer #10 · answered by thinking 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋