Being an agnostic is especially challenging when you're surrounded with religion family and friends. Often they will try to convert you to their religion, become hostile towards you or even disown you. What are your thoughts on how to retain a good relationship with religion people?
While I don't suppress the fact that I'm agnostic (although I often have to explain it), I do find myself biting my tongue when faced with people I know telling me what God had meant for me or those who have wronged me. It's rather annoying since these people know I'm agnostic, yet ignore that fact. It's like an implied statement of "I know you're agnostic, but you're wrong, and God has a plan for you anyway."
Do not argue with them.
You just got tired let them do whatever they want. Let them belive whatever
To some degree, a status quo behavior stifles medicinal and scientific progress and humanity’s...look at the current political and climatological predicament we are in. I heavily blame religion, it primes people to believe unfounded and non-factual things. Typically with dire consequences.
I'm not going to let them "do whatever they want" because it's going to affect me and you.
They have a right to believe what they want, just like I do. As long as they don't push their religious beliefs onto me, we will all get along fine
I just listen . I am always open to others opinions .
Even when you know those opinions are stupid?
We always have a certain degree of respect or maybe even just tolerance and civility
I let people believe as they choose, however, if they begin imposing their views on me, I politely explain to them that while our views may be different , I don't respect theirs any less. If they are persistent and/or inquisitive, I may discuss the reasoning (questioning and considering other possibilities) behind my views, but not in a way that attacks what they believe. I may even share a story, because they help people visualize and empathize better, and they don't usually cause people to feel personally attacked or insulted.
I politely explain to them that while our views may be different , I don't respect theirs any less. If they are persistent and/or inquisitive, I may discuss the reasoning (questioning and considering other possibilities) behind my views, but not in a way that attacks what they believe. I may even share a story, because they help people visualize and empathize better, and they don't usually cause people to feel personally attacked or insulted.
I'm not trying to be disrespectful. I'm just asking, do you really respect their beliefs or are you just telling them that not to cause friction? My extended family knows I don't disrespect them as people, they know I love them, but they also know I have no respect for their beliefs. They sure don't have respect for mine, and I feel no obligation to hide my dislike of theirs.
My wife and all her family are all hardcore bible thumping Christians. Yes, I said my wife too, she wasn't when I married her. They all know I don't believe and they all know I don't, I'll repeat it I DO NOT respect their beliefs. I think they're damaging to them and society. They also know I love them and I would take a bullet for my wife without a second thought. It's hard, but I'm done sitting in the closet. If they debate me as they do every time they come over to visit, I point out the flaws of their beliefs, but I make sure we hug it out before they leave. I love my mother in law she's a good lady with a ton of spunk. She greats me, calling me a demon child. She'll say Demon child help me out of my chair. Then before she leaves, she says, Demon child, come give me a kiss goodbye and tell that devil friend of yours I'm coming for him. She'll swat her walking stick against my leg and I'll be coming for you too. Then she'll wink at me and smile. This isn't just one account this is every time I see her.
I've learned the best way to deal with religious family members or friends. It's too laugh at them because to me it's fun to watch them getting flustered when I talk about how there is no God or how aliens exist or how there's a possibility for extra-dimensional beings or places
I don't speak to my family anymore. I do have friends that are religious but they don't push their beliefs on me. They accept that we can have different beliefs and we still get along fine. They are good human beings and we have things in common besides religion. I don't condemn anyone for their beliefs. I can find enough in common with other humans and don't engage in debates about religion.
My family is a very mixed group of Christians, Jew's, Atheist, and Nones. We all accept each other and get along no fight's about religion.
I was slightly bothered recently to find out my mother purposely excludes me from some facebook posts, as I never respond rudely or anything to her beliefs. It's probably best though, I try to just not bring it up, but there are times I just cannot sit idly by either. It's a tough road to walk sometimes.
I just smile and tell them I love them. What else would you do? My personal beliefs are my own, and I value their right to believe what they want.
I have friends who are totally immersed in their religion, yet we get along fine, once they realize I will not bother to argue with them. Its ok for them to be followers, but if they try to force their beliefs on me, it ends the friendship. I have dozens of Muslim friends and they are undisturbed by my lack of religion. A few tried to convince me that the Koran has all the answers. Those people are not my friends now. I will not tolerate anyone pushing me to believe as they do.
I don't inquire about their religion, if they ask about my religion I simply tell them I do not engage myself in any form of religion. Following up with "I consider myself to be a Spiritual being". What I will not do is judge nor allow anyone to try and past judgement on me. You don't try to convert me I won't try to convert you.