I'm an atheist, how do I stop people trying to convert me?

Question

I'm 16, and have recently decided I don't believe in any gods.

However, my family believe in god and go to church every Sunday. They sometimes make me go as well, although I tell them they should respect my views.

My best friend (also a Christian) keeps trying to persuade me to go to church meetings, so my soul will be saved.

I've asked them to respect my views, just as I respect theirs-but it doesn't work.
What can I do?

Answer 1

Get used to it. It's endless. However, specific individuals usually give up eventually.

Answer 2

You can't. That behavior is absolutely unacceptable from a friend. She will have to choose between being a close friend and trying to save your soul. You'll lose friends over this, kiddo. You will. It's part of the gig. Eventually, you will make new friends who like you the way you are and you will hardly miss those toxic people. Your parents can make you go to church. You don't have to like it. You might consider acting up and embarrassing them, but that might backfire on you. Just sleep in the pews like everyone else.



I'm at the point where I tell people fairly early on that I'm an atheist. Most people don't mind. I haven't told my family yet. What's the point in upsetting them and putting myself through all the exorcisms?

Answer 3

This is the change which changed minds..



TEENAGER. Do not forget this. This is the period of time, where usually weird feelings pop out.



I advise you to stick on your opinion(even though people force you to believe/change mind) .



I can tell you, your mind do change accordingly. The reason I've told. There's nothing bad in being atheist. It's good that you respect their views too. But usually parents try to make their children to pray , so that we'll be pure and blessed.





Once again, go the way you've decided.

(I'm sorry if the answer didn't help you)



All the best.



is this wot u gimme after answering yo question? A thumbs "DOWN"??

Answer 4

I would tell the person something like the following: "I respect your views and I hold different ones. I think we need to agree to have different opinions."



In the Baha'i writings, it says: "He should forgive the sinful, and never despise his low estate, for none knoweth what his own end shall be. How often hath a sinner, at the hour of death, attained to the essence of faith, and, quaffing the immortal draught, hath taken his flight unto the celestial Concourse. And how often hath a devout believer, at the hour of his soul’s ascension, been so changed as to fall into the nethermost fire." In other words, the person who is trying to convert you now, is also on his own path, and nobody knows what his end might be. He could lose faith at his last breath. So everyone has their own path, and nobody should interfere. It's a very strict Baha'i Teaching to not proselytize, to respect everyone's path and to never force someone to change their faith.



I guess none of this helps, but I wish you luck with your friend! I would tell you to 'pray for a solution' and to 'pray for your friend" but that wouldn't be very useful at all since you're an atheist! :) :)



In any event, good luck! I commiserate with your frustration.

Answer 5

Seeing as it is logically impossible to prove a negative, how is it you just "decided" not to believe in any gods or God?



There is in reality, no such thing as an atheist. What you are saying is that you have decided to dispense with evidence and just go with your "feelings."



Tell me, how would you like to be on trial, accused of murder, and convicted by people who ignored the evidence because their "feelings" told them you were guilty?



You are just another stupid 16 year old who thinks you are more mature than you really are, and smarter than you really are.



Shall I tell you your fate, seeing as I have witnessed this scenario played out thousands of times?



At about age 30, you will have a couple of kids, and no husband, and thinking to yourself, "how the hell did I get here?"



You are so ignorant, and you are clueless. I truly feel sorry for you, but it seems there are always those who have to learn some of life's lessons the hard way.



.

Answer 6

Its very easy. Avoid yh R&S where people will obviously be sharing their spiritual beliefs in the hope that others to come to a more meaningful and happier life. However people dont really convert people, either by debate or reason or even example. People make their own decisions .I am talking on the spiritual level not the superficial intellectual level .



Only the Spirit of God converts us. Its called "election".

Jesus says ," many are called but few are chosen".

Even before we are born God knows the way our lives will go from our own choices.



If you are only sixteen the chances are most of your life experiences are derived these days from second hand sources.Most of these come from media and tele, both of which are steeped in popular agnostic or humanist culture. The result is that most young people are subliminally indoctrinated to deny any notion of God. So when those close to you try and force the issue , you prefer to recoil and distrust them so putting up barriers.



So I respect your integrity in resisting others trying to convert you.It just wont work.The only thing that matters is that you discover reality yourself so why not be open to the only source of conversion? Gods Spirit Himself.

That alone will give you peace and self esteem ,otherwise you will always feel pressured by others that like to think they are better than you , when they are not.

Answer 7

You can go to church, you can sit in a pew, and you can sing a song, but it doesn't make you christian. I certainly hope that you'll realize the error of your ways an all that, but it is ultimately your choice.



In your position I would shut up and bear it, being a closet atheist isn't a sin after all. And if it gives your friends and family peace of mind then where's the harm? The only drawback is waking up in the morning, and if you can’t make that sacrifice for those that love you, then I honestly don't know what to say.

Answer 8

You say that your family sometimes make you go to church, so presumably you are living with them and are dependent on them. Why not go just out of respect for them? And if your best friend can tell you nothing more than that your soul will be saved then I would ask him how and why this will occur. Surely you can discuss things in depth with your best friend.

Answer 9

You can lead a horse to water but can't make them drink.if all these holy people really believed in god why would they be doing so much evil?Nothing about god or natural selection makes sense at all.And all these different gods which is right?You must do it in your own time and your own way.

Answer 10

Being only 16 there is hope that you will come to know Christ as your Saviour one day. However, it is never wise to put off such a thing when your eternal dwelling place is at stake. I was in school with a boy who was killed on his motorbike aged 16 and with a girl who was killed on one aged 17. My own children have seen their school friends die from drug overdose, car crashes and drowning and one has seen 3 school friends commit suicide.



When I use the word 'seen' I don't mean they witnessed these events but that they lived through the period when these things happens. All I want to say is 'don't assume you have until a ripe old age to change your mind because many don't have that luxury.'



Regarding people on this website trying to convert you I'd say 'what do you expect when you ask questions such as this one. Be grateful that there are people who care for your eternal future. The atheists here don't,'

Answer 11

Keep asking them questions that they can't answer truthfully, like:

--If Jesus existed, why didn't the Egyptians write about him?

--If the flood happened, what did the people and animals eat afterwards? There would've been nothing but MUCK.

--The only supposed witness of Jesus was Moses. Why do you live your life according to ONE person's word?

--People worshiped other gods before Christianity. Where was their god, then?

--Do they REALLY believe burning bushes and animals could talk?

Just keep making them question their own beliefs and they will leave you alone!

Answer 12

You have two years, then you can leave home and sleep in on Sunday. You can block people on Yahoo Answers or just delete their emails. It's not a big thing.

Answer 13

I remember there is a question similar to your question asked by someone few days ago. Someone has answered it very well, and the answer has been chosen as the best answer. You can try to search it in search function above, hope you luck

Answer 14

You are going to face this every time you tell someone you are an atheist or that you do not believe in a higher power. Best thing to do is not say anything at all.



And for those that try to get you to go to their church, tell them you are not interested. If they continue, simply walk away from them. They will get the message soon enough.

Answer 15

Just say NO and stay away if you do not believe in a religion.

Answer 16

Hey I am sorry this is happening to you sweety. People do the same thing to me. Its the reality us atheists must face. It is good to see you are standing up for what you believe. Once you leave youre parents house, you will not have to worry about going to church. Hang in there! Take care.

Answer 17

Pretend to get really pissed at them? Or just tune them out I mean I'm told I'm satan a lot because I'm atheist, it comes with the role.

Answer 18

Tell them that they should stop being so selfish to try and make them look good in God's eyes by saving you.

Answer 19

better believe in what you see, YOURSELF, rather running after the INVISIBLE. if HE is really there and wants you to be safe, HE will. I dont think he likes only ones who cries out his name in high decibels every now and then..... if it were so, the medical department would have been locked.

Answer 20

If not going to church is causing antagonism in your home, then go to church. For you, it is just a building. Sometimes I have to go to church with family. I don't sing, I don't kneel, I don't pray, I don't take the eucharist. I am just there.



When you are living in your own home, you can choose whether to go or not. As time goes by, people will come to accept your beliefs. Be patient with the people around you. They will come round.

Answer 21

You are confused at best.



You need the help that is being offered.



Don't fight it, investigate and explore.



16 is far too young to be concluding such fundamentals.

Answer 22

If your parents are the type that are crazy and would disown you, then I say shut up about it. You'll be able to leave in a couple of years.



If they just don't understand and are concerned, then explain to them how you feel and how them forcing you to go to church degrades both you as a person and their faith. For example, when my mother wanted me to go to Catholic mass, I explained to her that it would not only be degrading for me, but it would be disrespectful to the congregation for me to go and receive the Eucharist when I did not believe in it.



As for you friend, try explaining how you feel, not about religion, but about how you feel that s/he is trying to convert you.

Answer 23

No matter what your belief is...people will try to change you to theirs. Be grateful you do not live in the middle east where they can kill you as an unbeliever.



Just tell them you are investigating all opportunities and do not prefer to discuss such a personal thing.

Answer 24

they trying to convert you because the care for you i think else why would they do that ?

and get used to it it is endless i guess

Answer 25

Grin and bear... It could have been worse for you...



Religion is a mental disorder characterized by abnormalities in the perception and/or expression of reality. Distortions in perception may affect all five senses. It is a serious social disorder. In most severe cases those affected are willing to kill and die or enthusiastically SUPPORT THOSE WHO DO. In Christianity some of them behave very silly and irrational in full compliance with the dogmas of their respective Church brand while FORCING their common views on the rest of us!



Some of the Bible stories are so absurd that not even “Fundamentalist” Christians believe that they mean what they say; they are all convinced that only their preachers know what they mean. That is why the Bible is still functional today! The Bible writers developed a Mafia way of telling people under their control to OBEY their “spiritual” leaders in all things. The Early Church Fathers predicted that Christianity in general wouldn't mind the lack of a direct face to face contact with “God” as long as they have access to an exclusive book about God. The Bible writers picture God to be so cruel that the idea of reading only the nicer stories about it is the best deal that any Christian can really bargain for!



Deuteronomy 17:12-13 (NIV) The man who shows contempt for the judge or for the PRIEST who stands ministering there to the Lord your God MUST BE PUT TO DEATH! You must purge the evil from Israel* (*it is an EVIL worthy of death in the eyes of the Bible God to question anything that his religious leaders have TO SAY OR DO! No matter how much they would fondle your kids. The Bible writers provided NO WAY OF APPEAL!). ALL THE PEOPLE WILL HEAR AND BE AFRAID, AND WILL NOT BE CONTEMPTUOUS AGAIN* (*this is strong Holy Mafia language!).



Act 5:1-11 (NIV) (This story is told by Saint Luke about the first Pope Saint Peter!) Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the SPIRIT OF THE LORD?* (*by withholding SOME of the Church money) Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died* (*please notice how cool Saint Peter is acting at this Holy tragedy. In a TRULY Christian burial service NOBODY, NOT EVEN THE SPOUSE IS INFORMED OF THEIR COMPANION’S DECEASE! The primitive Christians were buried as sh*t happens). Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband! GREAT FEAR SEIZED THE WHOLE CHURCH AND ALL WHO HEARD ABOUT THESE EVENTS* (*there is nothing like a spooky story about God the Holy Ghost, aka “The Comforter” cutting down some moron Christians for not paying their dues to the Church. Tithing is about the first “BIBLE DOCTRINE” that newly converted and baptized Christians learn in Church. In most Churches they get their “offering envelopes” even before then).



Offering money to the Church is a serious issue! The Mafia is known to give out a few slow bleeding warnings before cutting anybody down, not so God the Holy Ghost! Christians KNOW that without gullibility (aka faith) it is IMPOSSIBLE to please the Bible God (Heb 11:6). Judging by the size of some Churches they must have plenty of it. Also, they know that failure to regularly eat the flesh of God the Son Jesus Christ and drink his Holy Blood without any “discernment” can kill them too.



1 Corinthians 1:29-30 (KJV) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh DAMNATION to himself, not discerning THE LORD'S body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and MANY SLEEP* (*have died! That’s Holy Mafia talk! Any Christian getting seriously sick needs to wonder if they are screwing the Holy Communion… spiritually speaking, of course!).



Revelation 2:23 (NIV) I* (*Jesus) WILL STRIKE HER CHILDREN DEAD* (*for being in the wrong Church). Then ALL THE CHURCHES WILL KNOW* (*more Mafia talk! Some Christians don’t know because Jesus Christ didn’t start killing children yet!) that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds!* (*the bit on “GRACE” that allows a Christian to go to “Heaven” no matter what was an idea put together by Saint Paul. Other Bible writers never mentioned any “grace” AT ALL! Hardly any Christian reads the Bible to find out. They pay their preachers to do it for them!)



Christianity is surviving because it is rare to hear of any Christian dying the moment they “sin.” They get sick and die like anybody else. THIS FACT ALONE is used in Christianity to PROVE THAT THERE IS A GOD IN THE SKY and that it is very loving and forgiving… as long as you pay your dues to the Church! Islam is not much worse it demands the killing of infidels! Unless you live in a Muslim country you won’t knowI

Answer 26

You will never be able to control the actions of others. You can only control yourself. Know your reasons for thinking as you do, and be prepared to share those reasons whenever needed. That is the best you can do.

Answer 27

Hate to say it, but get used to it.



Remain respectful, and hope your example rubs off on them.

Answer 28

Piss them off with their OWN stupid religious ideas. It works. I do it all the time :)

Answer 29

You may as well ask how do you get people to stop loving you.

Answer 30

I rather get pretty damn offencive...telling them to keep their fairy tales to themself.



I remember grabbing somebody by the throat when he got a bit to close to me and telling him to **** off if he didn't wanne get his *** kicked.



Since then I have to admit they leave me alone.



Other then that, knowledge is power. In this kind of debates more then ever.

Answer 31

find friends of like mind. the world is such sad to say.

Answer 32

ask for solid proof, not quotations from holy books.

Answer 33

If all else fails, a Colt 45.

Answer 34

Tell them to suck your d!ck

Answer 35

i'm glad you asked, i'm also an atheist, and fight fire with fire! search some anti religion philosophy, and then receipt it to them - show them your logic and reason, and maybe they'll turn atheist aswell! =]



http://www.rationalresponders.com/forum/the_rational_response_squad_radio_show/freethinking_anonymous/3515



heres a site with quotes, they make me feel good i hope they help you too

Answer 36

Sadly, you can't. They will always try to convert, it is what their religion tells them to do. Just ignore em'.

Answer 37

Get used to it, even if you believed in god X people from god Y will try to convert you to that

Answer 38

Nothing. They'll give up eventually. Hopefully.

Answer 39

Ignore them & find new friends.

Answer 40

self control. and respect for others.

Answer 41

nothing definite and final,except ..

Answer 42

Generally I make fun of the attempts. It tends to cut them down.



Hey...go read the Bible. It will give you lots of ammunition.

Answer 43

Tell them honestly how do you feel.

Answer 44

whenever they try to convert u, do it right back, debate with them and present the arguments for atheism, thats wut i do

Answer 45

tell them to piss off,

Answer 46

You can't stop people trying to convert you... just get used to it.



P.S. God is real ;)

Answer 47

Stop telling people you are atheist. People in their kind b=nature always try to help the fools of this world. Just dont let them know. God Bless

Answer 48

you can't stop people when their praying for you so you might as well admit defeat and come home to Jesus.

Answer 49

be a muslim, then they will stop.