How to Deal with Religious People if You Don't Believe in God

Dealing with people that preach religious superiority can be difficult and awkward if you don't believe in God. While many religious people feel it is their obligation to convert everyone that doesn't believe in God, handling the situation without becoming offended can be tough. Here are some tips to help you deal with your religious friends who just can't seem to keep their views to themselves.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. The first and most important part of dealing with religious people who try to force their views on you if you don't believe in God is to absolutely under no circumstance argue with them. Arguing is pointless since you will never get your religious friends or acquaintances to change their religious beliefs the same way they will never get you to suddenly change your mind and believe in God. Arguing only makes everyone upset and adds fuel to the fire.

2. Explain to your religious friends that you do not feel that there is anything wrong with you because you do not believe in God and that any notion towards that effect is offensive. While believing in God certainly does seem to be the norm of our culture it does not mean that anyone that doesn't believe in God has something wrong with them. Ensure your religious friends that you are indeed happy with your life and your choice to not believe in God.

3. Since religion has no solid proof and science is theory based there is technically no way for your religious friends to know they are right anymore than you feel you know you are right for not believing in God. Yes it's true you may feel you have science on your side, and yes it's true they believe the bible is proof, but the fact remains no one knows and therefore no one is right. Part of living in our culture means that we all have the freedom to believe in God or not believe in God - ask your friends to please respect this right of yours the same way you respect theirs.

4. If you don't believe in God and your religious friends are always trying to convert you, the best thing you can do is educate them. Be clear about your beliefs and explain how they do not interfere with your spirituality or connection to life. Offer your religious friends opportunities for deeper discussions with you if they still seem to be fixated on the fact that you don't believe in God. Knowledge is the best way to help your religious friends understand that the fact that you don't believe in God is part of who you are the same way their opposite belief is a part of them.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not feel the need to explain yourself but be willing to discuss your beliefs with people to help shed light on the situation.
• Do not judge someone based on their religious (or non-religious) beliefs.
• Do not become hostile or angry at someone who does not share the same belief as you.
• Be willing and open to accept that others are free to believe what they choose and it does not make them less than you.

[FrazzledNanny]

on 6/2/2009 Everyone should believe in something, whether it's God or science or whatever. Life is too short to believe that everything is an accident and we just happen to be taking up space for a certain amount of time. That is a sad existence. If you are real friends, you accept each other as they are. 5*

[copperhill]

on 5/25/2009 Regardless of your faith in God or faith that there is no God, open respectful dialog is beneficial to either side. Actively questioning our beliefs and assumptions only makes them stronger.

[bossypants]

on 5/25/2009 Gentle advice for a difficult topic! Thank you!