Agnostic.com

52 6

How does one get their ex-pastor to leave them alone?

I used to go to a small Presbyterian church and even became a member. Now I am a closet atheist (my wife knows) and I really want to remain that way until I am comfortable with sharing my non-belief. I moved down the street and I don’t go to that church anymore. My ex-pastor is good friends with my brother in law and the pastor keeps asking how I’m doing and if I found a church.

Snake91 4 Dec 18
Share

Enjoy being online again!

Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.

Create your free account

52 comments (26 - 50)

Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.

2

Tell him you prefer that he no longer asks you that, as you are happy with your decision to leave his church and in no need of establishing with another church.

Does he phone you? Block his number. See you in the grocery? Excuse yourself, no reason needed. Stop you on the sidewalk? Same. Come to your home? Ask him to please stop visiting, as you have no business with him (religion is his "business" ).

Do you speak with your brother-in-law? Might be good to let him know that the pastor's contact is not welcome.

You made a choice, and have no obligation to share your values with anyone, but you may want to consider how the "truth will set you free!"

2

Just tell him yes, you did find another.

Yes. An evidence-based belief system.

1

A shouting match never hurts. Tell him that you are beginning to feel harassed and you'll not be harassed in this way. If he comes to your home,
it's trespassing, if on the street it's soliciting/stalking. An injunction/restraining order may help should it go that far?

Failing that, a good old fashioned sock in the face might send the right message.

1

So your BIL thinks he's doing you a favor by passing on the pastor's concern? OMG, the problem isn't with the pastor, but with your BIL. You need to tell THAT dude that you have no interest in what the pastor wants, and "why are you asking me, anyhow?"

This!

1

You could tell him you have found St. Mattress to be more supportive.

1

I found the best thing to do is the reverse: engage in deepest longest most boring whiny nonsensical nontopical meandering conversation EVERY time he asks you. Keep him there for hours, in a standing position, with no breaks, if he tries to leave try to prolong the conversation till he absolutely insists he has to leave.

I promise you he will not dare ask you anything ever again. 🙂

1

You could always use, I gave it up for Lent. 🤔

1

"I'm doing just fine, I am completely centered, happy and content. For the moment I do not need any kind of help or guidance. Should I needed it you'll be the first to know"...

1

Make sure you don't donate any money.

1

This is your brother in laws problem, not yours. Just tell your brother in law that you don't want to hear about your ex-pastors questions of how you are doing.

1

Threaten him with prosecution for harassment, that was what I had to resort to in order to get the LDS off my back.

1

Tell him your taking a break from religion.

1

He is doing his job but I would tell him that I am just not interested any longer. Say you are fine but just not wanting to attend a church right now.

1

I told the one who was bugging me 'I am an atheist". He's not spoken to me since 🙂
Worked for the door knockers too.

1

Have you told the pastor to please stop asking that? He thinks he's doing his job, but if he's a decent person he will stop pestering you if you tell him he is overstepping.

Deb57 Level 8 Dec 18, 2019
1

Just tell him you're not that kind of guy!

1

By the title I thought of a cease and desist letter, but you are more complicated. Good luck.

0

A restraining order would work!

0

Have you told your brother in law that you don't want to hear from him any more? When he asks you, how about saying I'm fine, and no. It is pretty benign. Do you see your BIL every day? Is he constantly harassing you with these questions? Actually, it isn't the worst thing to have to deal with. Just blow him off.

0

Tell them you started a new cult

0

Tell him you belong to round church so the devil can’t trap you in the corner.

0

Are you going to tell us the punchline?

0

Church of Satan

bobwjr Level 10 Dec 18, 2019
0

I would just say I'm doing just fine and not looking for one at all.

0

“Fine.” “No.”

Write Comment
You can include a link to this post in your posts and comments by including the text q:439608
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.