How can I get the Christan students at my college to STOP trying to convert me?

Question

I am an Atheist and, although I have no problem with Christians or other religious people being religious on their own, I REALLY do not appriciate it when someone repeatedly tries to push their beliefs on me, even after being told that I'm not interested... and even after me thoroughly explaining why I do not agree with their nonsense.

I don't want to be rude, but I feel like I've already made every civilized attempt to... y'know... get rid of 'em. Spring semester starts soon and I just keep thinking "Oh man, what if I get stuck in a class with one of them?!" Does anyone have any suggestions for how to deal with this?

Okay, I guess, since someone brought it up, I should add that I'm pretty active on campus, and I'm on the executive boards of several student organizations. We all go about trying to recruit members in the same manner:

"We're having an educational event with free cookies!" written on a flyer. The end.

NOT in your face:

"You need to accept JESUS into your heart, or you'll have to pay for your sins. So are you coming to the meeting? I mean, I know you said 'no' yesterday, and the day before, and every day before that, but I just thought I'd see if you changed your mind... God loves you and he wants you to come back to him! Oh, and did I mention the promise of heaven?"

And it doesn't stop there.

“Why weren’t you at the meeting last night?”

Please refrain from comparing imposing religious beliefs on others with inviting students to inoffensive, educational events that actually benefit them. There is a big difference there.

Answer 1

"I will respect your beliefs if you respect mine, and one of my beliefs is that I don't want to talk or hear about your religion."

Answer 2

I used to be LDS. The Mormon church pushes it's members really hard to constantly push their crap on everyone else. I lost a lot of friends and even some family in the process. Religion usually sucks.
Best thing you can do is know their relgion and it's pagan traditions better than them. Then accept their invitation. Go meet for lunch and provide them with facts and evidence for the truth instead of their unprovable fantasies. If all else fails remind them that you believe in the great flying spaghetti monster because you feel he exists.

Answer 3

First of all, with a humorous approach: use the slogan an old Yorkshire school pal of mine, now in the US, uses -
"God made me an Atheist, who are you to doubt his wisdom".
If that does not work remind them that Jesus preached "Free Will, Tolerance and Universal Love," something that latter day Churches do not seem to remember.
Any Faith that insists too much on "proselytising" and not enough on "conversion" through free will, is not worth the salt it bases its doctrines on. This goes for any faith or political movement, of which, alas, we see the bloody (I mean it literally not as an oath) consequences in certain "criminal" movements.
Stick to your Beliefs, but look at the others with an open mind.
My old Jesuit Prof. (the most illuminated but also misunderstood in our Church) used to say "Put everything in doubts and overcome the doubt with your Faith"-

Answer 4

Awww you touched a nerve with trouble-free Blunt Opinioner. curiously she has a venture with different peoples evaluations. exciting. directly to the question. you could clarify in undeniable english which you will in no way convert and that she will drop it or bypass away and notice what she does with it. If she leaves, good riddance, you will locate new acquaintances. If she shuts up approximately it then its all good. If she retains harassing you then you ought to take better steps, informing mom and dad, etc. etc. in actuality which you cant reason with a christian whilst it is composed of their faith. Blind faith via definition defies reason. you're searching for a clean pal quickly, yet please be reassured that it rather is HER venture and not your man or woman. there is no longer something incorrect with thinking for your self as a exchange of taking the word of a few 2000 twelve months old tome written via madmen. a minimum of you employ the ideas you have been given.

Answer 5

Don't fret. The day is coming that the Lord will stop sending Christians your way. When this happens, your life will become soooo messed up that you will beg for God's help and He will no longer listen or hear you. That's not His fault, It'll be "all on you."

Answer 6

Two words

Restraining order



Also you could talk to the admin staff, and make a formal complaint, I bet they're legally obligated to take down religious oppression ;)

Answer 7

Oh please. They are just asking you to join them in their club. Just like every other club on campus does. You only have a problem because it is a christian group. Would you have the same complaints if the science club kept asking you to join their club, or invited you to their function.

I lived on campus and I have been invited to plenty of clubs or group functions. Some were Christians, eastern religions (they like to pass out pamphlets), ethnic groups, and some secular; still I politely listen or tell them I had no interest. They ALL have to get members some how.

Edit:
A biology teacher had the nerve to ask me to major in biology because I got a B in her class. She even had a bunch of form letters. I mean how dare she use the college to recruit people.

Edit:
Oh so once you lure them in with cookies that is when you ponce and ask them to join your group? I too went to those cookie functions, and once there they are just as pushy. Considering that you too are doing the recruiting it is a bit hypocritical of you to complain about another. Too me ALL of it was a pain in the butt. I mostly just went for the free food. Seculars usually have the best goodies.

God I miss campus life.

Edit:
There is no difference. Recruiting is recruiting.

Edit:
Your blatant case of entitlement is pretty thick. You admit that you pester people to join your clubS. Yet, because you offer them cookies your pestering is some how acceptable? So what happens once the sap gets there? Those cookies aren't free. They have to listen to a group of "Head up their butts" seculars who think that it is ALL about them.

That's okay I'm sure that you are charming. So go ahead and tell yourself that whatever you are peddling is so fascinating to everyone who is unfortunate to walk pass your booth.

Answer 8

I'm stunned that this sort of harassement can be allowed. Surely you can report it.

But as the first contributor said so eliquently, just say SOD OFF to them.

Answer 9

Being rude might be the only way to stop them,
Another alternative might be to write 666 on your hand - pretend its a tattoo. Show them it every time they approach you.

Answer 10

I tend to go with these steps:

1. Politely decline. (No thanks, I'm good.)
2. Curtly decline. (Not interested.)
3. Rudely decline. (F* off.)
4. Threaten to slap the taste out of their mouths for their lack of respect.
5. Slap the taste out of their mouths for their lack of respect.

Answer 11

Convert them back