I have grown up with a few close friends. We get along in every aspect of life, except religion. I am an active atheist and my friends are Catholics and Protestants. I've tried getting my convincing and logical arguments through to them but they have long ago closed their eyes of reason so that they can see faith.
We belligerently argued about the topic. I decided that it would be best to not talk about that subject around them because I value our friendship greatly. As an active atheist, I felt disappointed in myself that I wasn't able to communicate persuasively enough to get through to them.
We have great fun outside of the topic but I know in the back of their mind they quite literally believe that I am going to burn in a fiery hell for all eternity.
Honestly, that is very discomforting. How am I supposed to react to that?
They may treat me as an equal but my friends actually believe that they are above me
My best friends believe that I am going to Hell
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The Humanist Manifesto
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Wintermute
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jimbo111222
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I had this same problem.
Post #32One of my best friends recently converted to a fundamentalist Christian. He believes that I and my other two friends in our group are going to hell.
My friend who is an atheist as cut of all communication with him. He wants nothing to do with him.
My catholic friend still talks to him and they are good friends still.
I am an agnostic with Buddhist principles. I have accepted him and his religion as a good thing. Me and him better friend now than we were then because we are open with our religion. Even though we disagree I treat him like a logical human. Many atheist and agnostics are very hostile and they tend to treat others like they are stupid. That is what I used to do, but now I have started to accept people for there flaws, and now people treat me with the same respect.
My advice to you is talk to your friends in a non-demeaning way. Tell them that you are an atheist and you will be for the rest of your life. But also tell them that you want to have a friendship with them. Do not confront them about there religion and they will not confront you. Except there religion and they will except your.
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I do not now how you act around your friends. I do not mean to a fend you I am just giving advise from my own experiences.
My friend who is an atheist as cut of all communication with him. He wants nothing to do with him.
My catholic friend still talks to him and they are good friends still.
I am an agnostic with Buddhist principles. I have accepted him and his religion as a good thing. Me and him better friend now than we were then because we are open with our religion. Even though we disagree I treat him like a logical human. Many atheist and agnostics are very hostile and they tend to treat others like they are stupid. That is what I used to do, but now I have started to accept people for there flaws, and now people treat me with the same respect.
My advice to you is talk to your friends in a non-demeaning way. Tell them that you are an atheist and you will be for the rest of your life. But also tell them that you want to have a friendship with them. Do not confront them about there religion and they will not confront you. Except there religion and they will except your.
P.S.
I do not now how you act around your friends. I do not mean to a fend you I am just giving advise from my own experiences.
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JoeyKnothead
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Re: My best friends believe that I am going to Hell
Post #33[quote="The Humanist Manifesto"
They may treat me as an equal but my friends actually believe that they are above me[/quote]
I would say that a friend would never place themselves above you. I have a similar situation as you. I have a friend of the family from way back who emails me about stuff which I disagree with. When I reply to these emails I am honest with my dissent, but I always let her know I respect and value her.
But if she ever sent me an email that says I'm going to hell for whatever reason, I would let her know quick how insulting that is.
They may treat me as an equal but my friends actually believe that they are above me[/quote]
I would say that a friend would never place themselves above you. I have a similar situation as you. I have a friend of the family from way back who emails me about stuff which I disagree with. When I reply to these emails I am honest with my dissent, but I always let her know I respect and value her.
But if she ever sent me an email that says I'm going to hell for whatever reason, I would let her know quick how insulting that is.
Post #34
Well, seriously, telling someone he's going to hell is the WRONG way to preach.The Humanist Manifesto wrote: We have great fun outside of the topic but I know in the back of their mind they quite literally believe that I am going to burn in a fiery hell for all eternity.
Honestly, that is very discomforting. How am I supposed to react to that?
Did they say that to you, or do you think only it's "in the back of their minds"?
If they do tell you that, you should question them,
1. "Why do you think that I am going?"
2. "What makes you so sure hell is real?"
It's one thing to condemn, and quite another to, pronounce a judgement. Which they shouldn't do in both cases.
