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Religious friends keep sending me religious text?

I’ve noticed every time she send me a text message, she can’t say anything without mentioning her Christian religion or needing to remind me how Jesus loves me. She knows I don’t believe in Jesus Christ and she still sends messages like that. What should I do? I’ve mostly been ignoring her text messages cause I don’t want her to think she’s getting the best of me, but telling me something like that is like saying Edward Cullens love you. I’m convinced these are all acts of attempted manipulation, but I could be wrong. Tell me what you guys think. Leave your thoughts below.

EmeraldJewel 7 May 1
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59 comments

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2

Have you asked her nicely but firmly to stop including religious things in her texts to you? If not, I would let her know that you’d like her to refrain from any religious talk because you’re not interested in hearing about it

I’ve let her know before that she was too pushy.

@EmeraldJewel A friend should respect your boundaries. I would let her know that she needs to cut it out or you can’t be her friend

4

Tell her what you just told us. Tell her to stop messaging you Jesus crap. You do not share your Atheist crap with her so she should stop sending Jesus texts to you.

I’m doing that right now.

0

Try to be straight up with her, maybe say something like “you know I don’t believe in that stuff and I’m starting to think you keep mentioning it intentionally. I’d feel better if you stopped.” Her feelings are important but if y’all are good friends she ought to show concern for yours too. Maybe she’s unaware of how you feel and all it takes is you telling her. Try to start off by giving her the benefit of the doubt, she might think everyone who hears that stuff feels good because she feels good when she hears it?

zing Level 6 May 1, 2018

What you suggest is known as "trying to reason with a believer"...You know it will never happen.

@DUCHESSA I can see a little more info from some of her replies to other commenters but based off the original question, I feel this is a reasonable starting point. If the girl is not reciprocating concern then perhaps being more assertive would be a better option, but deciding someone is unreasonable before you try to reason with them isn't good. I've done it before, don't get me wrong, and I'll probably do it again but it I think it's generally not good assume that another person is unwilling to change their position on something without first trying to reason with them. It's almost like a theist saying "burn in hell" or something along those lines.

@zing I like short answers and shorter comments: If a person believes in God he/she lacks the ability to reason. Period.

@DUCHESSA I used to be a believer and it took a long time and a lot of patience from a lot of people but I've reasoned my way out of it. Period.

@zing As you said: You reasoned your way out. IAW, in the back of your mind you were never a believer. Period.

6

Make an appointment to meet her and turn up with a colander on your head and a faraway look in your eye. Waffle on about the Flying Spaghetti Monster and how His touching you with his noodly appendage has changed your life. Offer to take her to meet the local FSM group and have spaghetti etc. etc.
See how she likes it.
Alternatively, tell her to fuck off!

Athos Level 5 May 1, 2018
3

It will continue until you take actions to discourage it. If it offends you (it would me), say so. It can be done politely... or NOT. Whatever it takes.

3

It's harassment. But the good news is the bible gives you plenty of material to throw right back.

Do you actually think a person whose mind has been dominated will be affected by that material in the bible?

@DUCHESSA I'm guessing you've never heard of trolling.

@Malara And I am guessing you don't know how to answer my question.

3

She's trying to "save" you. She's pretty much telling you that you are lost and misguided and destined to burn in hell...........unless she can show you the error of your ways.

She’s a victim of mind control.

@EmeraldJewel I could be wrong, but it's just my interpretation. Aren't most if not all religious people a victim of mind control/indoctrination?

@Piece2YourPuzzle yes.

1

Call her out. Say something like....

You - "Do I treat you with respect?"

Her - "Yes. Always why?"

You - "I feel disrespected when you give me of your faith, especially when you know I'm an atheist"

Her - "I'm sorry. I never thought of that"

You - "That's OK. Please respect my atheism the way I respect your faith".

This might not work thought 😟

3

If you have asked her not to do that then It is a form of mild abuse. Trying to guilt you into questioning your non belief. It is at the very least annoying and disrespectful.
I had a couple friends continue to try to talk Jesus to me after I came out as atheist. I told them I like them and would like to continue being friends and talking with them but they would need to stop with the Jesus tal and the guilting because it was not going to work, that it has the opposite effect on me. They got the message and we still talk so that is what worked for me.

0

If I had a friend who suddenly started texting me with god stuff I'd be worried about their sanity but all you can do is ignore it, it's all meaningless if well intended (I hope) If your friend really cares then cool, if there's a god component to that care I would suggest that you're not leaving anything behind that you need if you put a bit of distance between yourselves.

6

When you end an email, tell her that Satan loves her. When she complains tell her that you will stop when she does.

0

I have a couple friends who do the same. They know I don't believe in sky pixies but they send me that stuff anyway. It might be best to respond by telling them how special they are, then leave it at that.

6

She doesn't respect you....and respect among friends should be always present.

I’m picking her off my friends list.

2

People like your friend never make to my cell contacts.

3

You not wrong, it is manipulative. Even people who do this to everyone they talk to, are being manipulative.

0

Not seeing the texts themselves (I am, not asking to see them), I can't really say what her intent might be... other than agreeing with other comments that say she doesn't respect you in the same way that she expects others to respect her.

There was a comedian, I forget who, sho said that behind every "bless your heart" is a little "fuck you!", and I kind of agree with that.

If it were me, and I am glad it isn't, I'd think up snaky replies.
"Jesus loves me?",
Then why doesn't he ever text me himself?
I took out a restraining order, so tell Jesus to leave me alone.
He can't even cut my lawn right.
Funny, he's never even sent me a card on my birthday...

In the end she needs to understand that if she wants you to respect her beliefs, then she needs to respect your non-beliefs.

3

If nothing else, I’d gradually put more and more distance between the friend and me.

1

Continue to ignore.

2

She's no friend. Friends accept you as you are, and don't try to manipulate you into agreeing with them. She doesn't respect you, or your beliefs. She thinks she's better than you because she believes and you don't.
If it were me, I'd cut her off with no remorse.

I blocked her.

@EmeraldJewel Good for you! I'm willing to bet that you have other friends who don't treat you like that. Those are the kind worth keeping.

3

Next time she says it you could reply with "I couldn't care less" if there's one thing that annoys theists it's apathy.

Lol I will try that.

1

I have had family that have done that to me and I just nipped it in the bud. I've told them if they continue trying to prostilize, convert, or preach to me in any way that I would cut all ties with them. It works like a charm.

I will respect the fact that they believe in unicorns and I won't try to convince them that unicorns don't exist, since I don't know that for a fact. In turn, I don't want them to try and convince me that they do exist. If they don't respect that mutual agreement then I just terminate my association with them.

0

Send them atheist texts. When they sneeze say, “nothing happens when you die”. It’s bullshit that they can be like that without the fear of repercussion, but we can’t. It’s offensive to them if I do that, and they should practice the same amount of courtesy.
My sister in law did that EVERY TIME. I’d say what’s up?! And she say “God is Good!” Finally I said fuck off and I don’t talk to my brother and her anymore.

1

You could try telling her that her texts are insulting and annoying. Tell her that you understand that she is christian and thinks it is her duty to "save" you, but you do not share her belief and find her constant carping about her religion to be very off putting. Tell her that you would be fine remaining friends, but you won't be able to if she does not stop. After all, you are not trying to force your beliefs down her throat, why is she doing it to you? If she continues, in spite of an honest discussion, I would tell her that you are not going to be able to remain friends with her.

1

You can block them because they don't respect your views on religion.

I did.

@EmeraldJewel congratulations. I blocked my entire family. My Catholic principal tried and failed to rape me when I was young. I told mom, she did nothing but call me a liar. I told my religious sister, later in life , that my child hood was bad, and churches prey on children. She respo sed that we all bad to bear our cross as children. That was the last time we spoke . She quit sending religious cramp 5 years later. The rest of my can't are douche bags. Sound harsh? I dgaf

0

I would kindly remind her you are athiest-agnostic and you don't appreciate the text messages.

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