I just tell them that I am not interested in their teachings and to please leave me alone.
By just approaching me by walking up or riding a bike.. they identify themselves as Mormon or Jehova’s witnesses or “ Bprn again”. Frankly I’m overly direct and to the point but with disrespecting their beliefs no matter how misguided they are. I often tell the I’m Semitic and Eurasian and fortunately impervious to their soliciting and pushing ones beliefs may be a sign of their own weakness or a reaction formation. By then I’m sure the view me as a heathen and leave asap
No one has done that for a long, long time. I can't even remember my responses because it has been so long.
My mother died when I was 11. A Christian woman told me (shortly after she died) that since my mother had not been "saved," she was going to burn eternally in hell. Yup, a Christian woman actually said that to an 11-year-old girl.
The Good News is that since my parents had raised me without religion and its accompanying fears, this revolting comment did not have the effect on me that this horrible woman might have intended. What did she intend? That I be saved and spare myself my mother's fate?
The comment didn't bother me at all when it happened. I just thought she was stupid. It bothered me later: what kind of person would say this to a child? What was in her mind?
I just make fun. When they tell me I’m going straight to Hell, I simply say, “Of all the ways I’m going to Hell, STRAIGHT isn’t one of them.” One lady yelled at me, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” And I responded, “DUDE, I’m dating his dad, he’s practically my son too.” When they threaten me with hell, I remind them that even hell is a better option than spending an eternity with them.”
omg...fucken loved that and have said the same to those weirdos that have tried to convert me to their shit....and failed I applaud you and the life you want to live ....You are american it is going to to be harder to get the religious shit out of your system...good luck with that...xxx
Had that debate as well. Religious people always win. If I'm wrong it's going top be interesting. If they're wrong (done deal really) nothing happens.
I tell them I've been to Hell (it's in Michigan if you Google it) several times and that the bar is pretty good but the road to it isn't paved, with neither good intentions or asphalt.Usually causes themto suffer enough confusion for me to wander away.
The conformation bias is of course one bias religious people use over and over again. Almost impossible to show or to explain that there are many different sides to every story. Donna's post says it all. Very well done.
My response to someone threatening me with eternal perdition would be the same as my response if someone threatened to tickle me to death with an angel's wing feather.
Or as George Carlin said in one of his routines, "If there is no god, may he strike this audience dead. See? Nothing happened."
I say (Plagiarize), "Burn in Hell??? Every Atom in my body was forged in the belly of a Super Nova and it didn't hurt one bit!"
-And-
"I was dead for billions of years before I was born, and wasn't bothered by it in the least bit!" ~ Samuel Clemens
LAUGH! And tell them Santa isn't going to bring them anything for Christmas for being mean! LOL
Laugh.
I do count myself lucky to be born in a nation where being an athiest isn't a death sentence.
@Vanceonfire We should all remember that it wasn't always that way. And especially in the deep south, atheists can still 'disappear'.