It's been a long time since I had some holy rollers come to my house ...
Well - Saturday, while I was out in the yard, I saw them approaching - two men and a young boy. I approached and asked if I could help them, and one man said "we'd love to talk about the Bible with you".
I wasn't feeling particularly adversarial in any way - so I simply said " I don't want to waste your time - I'm an atheist" .
I saw the surprise in the man's face. He was speechless for a few beats. Then he said " I thank you for your candor, most people are not honest in that way" . I responded with " no problem - I respect where you're at , it's just not me. Peace"
We all smiled, I wished them well, and off they went.
I found the whole exchange to be satisfying.
So, there ya go !
I to would have said the same thing except I would have said if you want to talk about it I have a few minutes. And as for respect, no I don't respect there beliefs. Especially when I can google hundreds of examples of what their religion is doing wrong.
I'm very willing to respect other's beliefs - as long as they respect mine - which this guy did.
Once I've said "atheist" they don't pay me any attention and launch into their pitch anyway.
When they give me a chance reply, they hang their head in shame and wander away to the next house.
I will join in with the "well done" bunch......spread peace, not anger.....after all.. I was once as mis-guided as they......tomorrow they might be allies.
Try going to their house and see if you could convert them to Atheism, how would they respond to that ?
You would have as much chance to convert them to the church of gays.
"I saw the surprise in the man's face. He was speechless for a few beats. Then he said " I thank you for your candor, most people are not honest in that way" "
I would have told them maybe if your fellows didn't treat people who atheist like shit we could be more honest....
But he was not one of those, and did not deserve hostility.
Wise to pick your battles ...
@evergreen Pressure on some of the group is pressure on them all....