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Boyfriend is agnostic, I'm an atheist. How to cope with disagreements?

So lately, I have been discussing my views with my boyfriend because he's one of the very few I can open up to about being an atheist (due to living in the bible belt and having many religious friends). When it comes down to our difference in views, we begin to butt heads a little because he seems to lean towards the Christian view of a god being the cause of the universe and has no logic to support his argument. I will ask, then who created God or what could his origin possibly be? And he will say nothing, just that God was the beginning of everything. Then he will try to backpedal and say "only IF there is a god would this be the case" but it's obvious he believes it or really wants to. He grew up with a dad who was Jehova's witness and a Catholic mother so he was influenced probably a lot more than I was as a child by religion. I know it can be difficult to let those ideas go but what bothers me is that he defends the ideas with no logic. He even defends the bible as being a good guide to life, NEVER HAVING READ IT. I have, as I was forced to attend confirmation classes, and I suggested he do so before we discuss it. He says he won't. I love him but this is so frustrating. Obviously I feel it is easier to have a relationship with someone who is agnostic than a religious person, but does anyone have suggestions for how to have these conversations without letting the differences come between a couple? I really appreciate any advice.

TaliaElizabeth92 5 Oct 18
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236 comments (176 - 200)

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0

In my house, my husband and I do not discuss religion or politics. We each know how the other feels about certain things and we respect each others feelings. Those subjects don't have to be discussed. It really is that simple.

Good response!

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if he also has conservative and/or authoritarian tendencies, votes repugnican, etc...if you have options you may want to consider them. If instead he seems to understand and practice inclusive morality etc.(recognizing rights and identities of those different, like gay marriage, for example)...you may want to put up with it. There are a few good theists out there...but usually the brain that goes theist has some other judgment issues on unrelated things. That's the whole point. Of course nobody is perfect that's why I say you have to weigh the entire person. If they are reasonably psychologically healthy and able to function well in a committed relationship with you, that is worth something.

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Well I sppose you both could die, see whose right, but you're right there is no empirical evidence of God or an afterlife. However I lean towards the idea that life, the struggles we go through, the heartache, the suffering, there has to be point to it all and there has to be something beyond the world we see, why every human, for the most part, has an innate desire to do good, at least when they're young. I know there's no proof of a God, but to me, at least, seeing the Good humanity can do and the desire for it, it drives me to believe there's something more and the suffering of mankind isn't for naught.

But more on your issue: If you two can't get along, maybe it's time to split or just avoid the issue, really depends on how much you two value the relationship compared to the disagreement on this point.

2

He doesn't really sound like an agnostic to me. He sounds like a theist with Christian leanings. Does he identify as agnostic? Or do you think he's agnostic, perhaps because he's less bible-thumping than others in your community? From what you described, he sounds to me to be pretty committed to a faith-based world view. That may or may not be a problem moving forward, but I think whenever value systems and world views diverge to a great extent it increases the likelihood that there will be conflict. Unless you agree to disagree and don't talk about religion, I'm not sure you can avoid a collision of ideas — in which case it really depends on the two of you and whether you're the sort of people who can disagree and then set aside the conversation for something less confrontational.

0

My wife is a non practicing catholic and believes in God . I am an atheist.We except each other’s beliefs but some times we will have heated discussions .In the 35 years of marriage I have actually changed her from believing in the catholic beliefs .The best thing to do is try to avoid the subject like I do and except the person for the good qualities and moral beliefs which have nothing to do do with religion ,God or non belief in God or religion

1
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Agree to disagree at the end. Discussions don't have been disagreements, just a difference of opinion. He don't know he's right, hence being agnostic?

0

Everyone's missed the obvious answer. Tell him to go to Hell. LOL

1

Why argue... stay away from those conversations. Its one of those who knows the most and whose the dominant person with control issues. Dont play his game. Get your game going. Make a pac that your beliefs and his beliefs want be in the same conversation. All that special stuff goes away. Normal conversations are now the topic.

1

I am an Atheist and my soon to be ex is very spiritual and a believer in many GODS. When I told her I was an Atheist- she freaked. I explained my reasoning in a calm and measured way. Told her the bulk of the Holy Books are filled with glaring contradictions that cannot be rectified. Plus they were all written by guys and the final draft was more than likely not where they started. Calm, respectful and measured discourse is the only way to overcome these disagreements.

Yes, but did you manage to "overcome these disagreements"? That is, was that a factor in your pending divorce? I kind of compare it to a Trump voter and a Clinton voter. I did not support Trump and would never be able to have a relationship with someone who did support Trump. Trump's positions, problems with the truth, past actions are just more than I can bear and anyone who would justify that is not someone who I could relate to. Kind of like christianity vs. atheism.

0

I think you have the answer yourself, right in your question. Agnosticism is a belief that we do not have the knowledge of the existence of god or the nature of god. "Knowledge" being the key world here, in my opinion. From what you are telling us, he doesn't only not have the knowledge, nor he is trying to discover the knowledge on the subject. He also leans towards Christian views (according to your statement). In my view, that is not agnosticism, that is ignorance. If he possessed the knowledge or logical explanation of his views there is something to talk about. He has a pre-programmed blind belief system due to his environmental upbringing. Its a system that is based on blind faith and does not encourage questions or self-discovery. Your first challenge would be to have a conversation about knowledge and the power of making informed educated decisions. You have to have the correct tools for the job. He has been given ineffective skill set. If he is not willing to take the time, hopefully, together with you, to dedicate to growing his knowledge bank, which will irreversibly effect his perception one way or the other, than he is not willing to grow mentally. Best is to start focusing on both sides of the information and have discussions, however he has to be willing to grow and expend his inside world. You have a tough road ahead. Good luck. Hopefully, what ever his beliefs are, they make him an overall happy and fulfilled person. If he is not, you have even a tougher road ahead.

0

get personal identifier tattoos..that way if ya grow senile together your won't forget yer chosen spiritchewall bearoacrassy lables...

grant Level 1 Nov 14, 2017
0

Stop talking about religion and spirituality and agree to disagree.

0

Find a person who is also an Atheist. The first thing I find out when meeting a person is his/her position on God. If the person is a believer, I excuse myself (restroom / a phone call...) and I never return.
Yo start a relationship with a believer is not one of my goals.

If both individuals except each other’s beliefs it will be ok . But in some cases this difference in opinions can lead to major problems .To me this is not a deal breaker ,it’s the person that counts not ther religious proclivity .This is just my opinion .Every one has to follow their own intuition

1

It sounds to me like he is currently a theist with doubts, rather than an agnostic. I think the key in this situation is to ask questions and listen to the answers, in particular, “why do you believe that?” Why do you think the Bible is a good guide for living life? Are those things exclusively tied to religion? the goal between you should be to understand each other, not necessarily to persuade, but maybe through your conversations he will become more comfortable with letting go of faith in things that aren’t logical.

1

He has faith, something you don't or can't have. That's the only difference really. I would suggest not only listening to what he believes, but why... and he may not come out and say it, you'll probably have to read between the lines.

Like it or not though, you'll never be able to convince him there is no god, because he believes there is no evidence one way or another and he's correct. I'm an athiest, I don't believe there is a god, but I don't know that for sure, and I can't. There's simply not enough data backing up one theory or the other, so while I'm 99.9% positive there is no god, I could die tomorrow and meet that god face to face. He believes there is a god, and that there is no evidence on way or another. You believe there is no god and that's why there is no evidence. I'd concentrate on the similarities of the two theories rather than sticking to he's right or you're right... because you both are, and you both aren't. Be patient with him, he'll come around eventually lol.

1

I can only add my personal experience. I am not a complete unbeliever. I accept that it is not rational to retain a bit of Christianity, but it makes me feel good. I'm not praying, I'm not worshipping, but I do still define myself as a little bit (maybe 5%?) of a Christian.

Otherwise, I'm a polytheist, Buddhist, Christian agnostic. In order of precedence.

I know you want to talk to your significant other about these things. Is he on this site yet? Because it sounds like he hasn't found himself a balance to define his beliefs, and if he could, you might argue less.

That said, you don't have to determine who's right and who's wrong, and trying truly can only lead to tears.

I wish you well!

0

I really don't think it's an easy way. Bc, even though they have not read it, they believe it whole heartedly.

1

Doesn't sound like he's much of an Agnostic to me .. I think your problem arises from the fact that he is a X-tian and you are not.

1

If religion is the only obstacle in your relationship, I would say that you have something worthwhile and just avoid the subject.

1

I think you have to just agree to disagree and find other mutually satisfying topics: books, music, food, hobbies,sports, global warming or whatever. There are zillions of other things to talk about

0

He seems like a closet theist. Sadly it is a disaster waiting to happen and he may well like you for all of the reasons guys initially like girls, but when it comes to a long term meeting of the minds, well.... So I hope this is me just looking at the downside and actually it all works out for you. His answers are very suspicious though.....

0

First of all the boyfriend does not appear to be an agnostic. He is a believer who is trying to convince you to agree to his views, just as you would like him to be rational like you. If he unwilling to read anything, or listen to other rational approaches then you two either should avoid the topic and know that this would create some significant problems at difficult times in the future, e.g., when a loved one dies, etc. I cannot imagine, given the present scenario, that this is going to work out. It might be best for you to each take some time apart to re-think if this relationship is really best for the two of you. Or, if the two of you will agree to read each other's literature and discuss it openly, there might be a chance for your boyfriend to begin to think more rationally. But religion is a nasty kind of mental/emotional "virus" of sorts, and I don't think that your prognosis together is very favorable.

1

That is exactly my experience with very religious people. I just tend to state my disagreements but let bygones be bygones. I have learned with religious folk its better to play along with their shows and customs. I guess its obvious from the post, but most religious folk don't read or attempt to read. THey just have a belief they are 100% sure is true and everyone else should believe it too. I just approach it by stating its silly but from my view, but that i accept it as a statement from that persons emotional state. Or their beliefs are emotions disguised as beliefs about the supernatural. As its convenient to use something you can't use logic on, like emotions and the supernatural.

argo Level 4 Nov 3, 2017
15

As Ricky Gervais puts it, an agnostic is basically an atheist. What makes one agnostic is determined by their answer to the the question, "Does god exist?". To which they would say they "do not know" as opposed to an atheist's answer "simply no". If you twitch the question a little bit and ask, "Do you believe god exists?" to which they can't answer they don't know because that would be non-sensical. So they would have to say they don't believe in god and that ultimately makes them atheists.

gotham Level 3 Oct 30, 2017

Isn't a reasonable answer from an agnostic: "I don't, because I haven't seen any convincing evidence, but I'm open to the possibility."? Is that not substantially different from a simple "No!" from an atheist?

I'm an atheist, but I'm open to the possibility there is a god with any evidence. That's what made me an atheist. The search for evidence.

Agnostic is a claim to not know atheism is a claim to not believe. Two different things. I don't know therefore I will not believe until I see evidence is my take. There's the atheist argument about a teapot that always was and suddenly it started to steam and out spew the universe. You cannot know this didn't happen but it certainly doesn't have to be something you believe. So if you say you don't know but still can believe without clear evidence your a theist who acknowledges he/she is agnostic. Agnostic is not used as it's supposed to be.

@TheMiddleWay I agree with all of what you are saying. If you have no evidence there can be no belief. I think atheism is the term that trips people up. It's not an assertion that there's no god. The term itself is kind of weird because things are not normally classified by what they are not. I'm not a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Pagan, etc. Therefore I'm an atheist I don't claim to believe in something I can not know, nor do I claim to know it doesn't exist, but I need proof to believe it. A theist goes on faith, belief without proof, so I'm not that. It's really semantics but I don't pray, assume a plan exists, nor expect forces beyond me will work for or against me. Because of all these things I'm not, I do not classify as a theist. A(not)theist. As soon as proof is provided I will believe. But I respect your point and really think we are thinking the same way on the evidence part, just different perspectives on the terminology.

Yep - atheists are arrogant agnostics, since they "know" that god does not exist, whereas agnostics express the humility that they see no evidence 🙂

Bring on the flame throwers 🙂

I suppose I lean to the agnostic side rather than the atheist. I feel or sense I am a part of a higher energy or force. I will say to people who ask, I am not a religious person and do not go to church or believe. I think there is a god (but in no way the sense religious people mean or think) or rather a creative force BUT it is not a personal god, I am not separate from from this. As a part of this creative energy I too am god/a creator. Right about then I am labled a blaphemer, etc. There is no proof of this energy or force but stuff happens when I adjust my thinking and reasoning along certain lines.

@zanyfish

You use that word, but I don’t think you know what it means.

Atheism is NOT a statement regarding the existence of god(s). It’s a statement of disbelief in such beings.

I am, for instance, an agnostic atheist. I don’t know/can’t prove the existence of deities (agnosticism), but I certainly don’t believe in them (atheist). The terms are not and have never been mutually exclusive.

That said, when it comes to SPECIFIC deities I find myself much more gnostic than agnostic. I can be rather certain, based on the claims of believers and lack of substantive evidence, that specific deities do not exist.

I get the idea that you are playing with semantics. Simple: all gods are man-made and in man's image. Nature is- whether we go back two or three "Big Bangs"- if there have been more than one. Nature has never sent any 'messengers'- if it is cognitive. And if it is cognitive, that would make it a 'creator'. But I do not know the last part- therefore that makes me an agnostic.

@zanyfish KAWHOOOOSH!!! Sittin on the fence are ya?? I don't think atheists are arrogant as you state. We just made a decision based on a lack of any evidence. I would change to a Holy Roller in a heartbeat if the Son suddenly showed up and resurrected one of my dead friends. But really, do you think there is ANY possibility of that happening?

@malkie your " . . . simple "NO!" from an Atheist" is not the answer I (as a strong atheist) or any of my friends or those I follow or read give in response to "Is there a god" Our answer is in line with: "There is insufficient evidence to support the assertion of a god." Yes, this is the answer I give. I have watched hundreds of hours of The Atheist Experience and dozens of other sources, read many books, and, with the exception of a few very young atheists, (7th graders and below) can not remember any atheist answering the " is there a god question with a "No."

@TiberiusGracchus I have noticed that within the tent of atheists there is variety of definitions as to what that means. I appreciate your logically sound version. I totally agree with your thinking, yet I call myself agnostice. Perhaps the difference is that as agnostic I give a nod to the amazing mystery of how anything could exist. For me the big bang theory does not explain what was going on before that to allow the big band to happen. Therefore it remains a mystery. Therefore I am left only to think that somethings very mysterious is (has been) going on out there waaaaaay beyond the comprehension of any human. For me, the word god is just a convenient word to refer to the mysterious goings on. I would not be so presumptious as to assign any motive to it....nor to deny any potential to it. I simply and quite comfortably do not know.

Lacking a belief in a God is not the same as believing in the non-existence of a God. It's a very fine difference, but it is very important. I describe myself as an agnostic atheist, because that represents reality. I will always be open to the idea that a god might exist, because if there was proof that one did exist, I would accept it.

This means I'm an atheist, in that I lack belief in a God, and that I'm also agnostic, because there is always a chance, no matter how small, that one might exist.

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