I think I would have replied something like: "if there is a god, I don't want it blessing me while it ignores millions of others who are far worse off than me."

Here in North Cackalacky, when we hear something ridiculous, we back away and say "Well, all right then." I dunno if that works in Indiana, but it's worth a shot.

You don't.

I refuse to entertain their delusions anymore.
If anyone who knows me, who knows I'm an atheist, who still insists on trying to "get through" to me, I'm going to go straight for the jugular.
I'm not going to be the bigger person anymore.
If they're going to disrespect me, they should expect to get the same in return.
I'm done.
Being nice, and doing the whole "live and let live" thing is pointless.
That's what has allowed them to believe they get to proselytize and influence public policy.
I'm not doing that anymore.
They no longer get a pass from me.
I'm done with their bullshit.

Legally, I have to tolerate that they get to believe in whatever religious bullshit they choose. I do NOT, however, have any obligation to respect their beliefs.

Doesn't sound like a conversation at all. More like she was trying to bulldoze her beliefs down your throat and you enabling her. Whenever someone comes to my door trying to do that, I exchange my own pamphlet with them, one that shows the similarities their demigod Jesus has with other gods and demigods of that time.

"Why do I have to be the adult?"

Used to be called "White Man's Burden," which I think is a misnomer. You have to be the adult because you are more than likely the more intelligent between you and her. I've been told by my own parents that I'm going to hell because of my disbelief, but I unfortunately share the burden of being the better man and refraining from argument. It would only sour relations with my family, whom I still love dearly.

"Thanks for the concern, but you know I don't believe that."

You don't have to say anything other than I don't believe that. But thanks anyway.

Be above it. A lot of people need the security that religion provides and you're lucky enough to be of sufficient internal strength to not need it. No need to stomp on the ants unless they're actually biting you. After I got rid of my anger at religion (which still sparks from time to time admittedly) I began to just let it go. I look past the offensive part and try to accept whatever nice feeling might be nestled in there somewhere. No need to give them a lease to space in my head.

One of my best friends is extraordinary Christian and says those same things to me, also knowing I'm athiest. It bothers me sometimes because frankly rather tired of it. But he is so sweet and means well. I don't argue. lately I've just taken to ignoring it and changing the subject. I wish he didn't talk so much about church and such. We might have been able to have a more intimate relationship but I just can't tolerate the jargon. Needless to say, I still love him.

She is using an old trick to try and get you back to god and religion again. She thinks if things happen for a reason and you get your wishes you are blessed by the invisible man. When things fall in line for you it proves it and you just have to go with god, but that's not how it works at all.

I'm "blessed" and the "god" helping me is myself. This is so because I keep what I am looking for in my mind somewhere and soon I find it. This is so if it is new or in a resale shop. It happened to me today and I found what I was looking for because I gave it all my attention. I found it in 2 days.

Also, things DO happen for a reason. The reason might be just like I have said above. If you stumble you might fall so you have to be careful how and where you walk. No invisible being is guiding you in any of this. It is just you yourself. You create your purpose in life and you create your reason.

I think it makes some of them very condescending and talk down about us "foolish atheists/agnostics" something about that dumb bible verse telling them not to throw pearls before swine... they consider what they believe to be pearls of wisdom they must share with us.... morons >

Life in our screwed up society I guess.

I also had a friend tell me yesterday that I'm very blessed. I wanted to ask who or what did the blessing and bestowed all this happiness on me, but I held my tongue. He's Hindu and believes God is in everyone.

Okay, well, I was in a bad situation, got out of it on my own, created my new situation, and worked out my own problems or let them go, on my own, and I feel I deserve the credit, not some supernatural deity. BUT if it helps him to see a job well done by his God, then whatever. I guess it helps him keep his faith.

I don't like this "God" getting credit when it's the hard work and sacrifice of those helping themselves and others who deserve the credit for happy circumstances. But since I make it clear to all who listens to me that God is fiction, or a metaphor, or an unknowable, they can interpret that any way they like.

Sometimes it’s just wiser to go along with this sort of behaviour...I probably would have done much the same. I don’t really think I’d call this condescension, I presume the caring goes both ways and that the lady cares about you too. It’s hard for some people to grasp the concept that god’s hand is not In everything we achieve and that we are part of some masterplan. If someone actually believes this, then even if we tell them that we don’t believe in god, it doesn’t alter their view that regardless of that fact, god is guiding our actions and achievements. I have learned to just keep my own thoughts to myself when someone who is otherwise kindly and caring comes out with some similar remark to me, it just seems pointless to argue as it makes no difference to what either of you believe, but can cause some awkwardness between you,

Yup comes from belief that they are right and you are wrong

It's easy to turn to the supernatural when the limit of one's comprehension is reached. Some people's is much more limited than others.

I think it's a balance. I try my best not to take a militant stance on my atheism. After all, I need to get along with the talking monkeys generally. We don't have to go to every fight we're invited to.

So, from my perspective, the OP handled the situation fine by my book. They indicated this is a person they care about. Was the statement designed to announce faith? Sure. Was it designed to irritate? I don't think so - it was a gentle reminder that Jebus Loves Us (patent pending, void where prohibited). Easy enough to smile and be polite. I don't believe that every person who tells me to have a "blessed" day is part of the Wedge Strategy.

You are forced to be the adult because they still believe in Santa Claus!

I'd say "That's not a nice thing to say. We should instead give due credit, respect, and honor to the real people who helped me, directly or indirectly, knowingly or unknowingly."

And leave it at that.

My wife is deeply religious while I evolved into becoming an atheist. I don’t take offense when someone tells me they’re praying for me, or God is in control, etc. Too many people dear to me believe. And listening to their religious views is simply the price I pay for keeping them in my life. But I do point out I’ve never seen scientists or atheists going door to door trying to convert people to their disbelief...

I think if it's someone you care about, you just make a concession for their lack of reasoning skill for the sake of the freindship, no differently than if you loved hiking and she was physically unable to participate in that activity with you. I have a vast number of friends who say similar things to me, and I usually just respond with something like, "Yes, I consider myself very fortunate...but I don't attribute it to anyone blessing me or some invisible entity helping me." I always like the ones who want to pray for me. ..I just tell them I really appreciate that they care enough about me to wish me well, whatever the method. After all, they're just exercising their own superstitions, and not trying to force me to participate, so what do I care? Their friendship is still important to me regardless of what some of their shortcomings may be.

Sounds like typical religious hack nonsense.

The evangelical in her just coming out. There is that compulsion to try to bring you to god...somehow. It is a deep disrespect for anyone that is "unsaved" so it is condescending. Even very nice people have it...because, dammit, they are the sheep and you are a goat.

Yes, religion is patronizing, being after all predicated upon claims of divine authority and gnosis.

in my experience, belief in a god does not make one condescending, but belief in a religion that insists that you convert everyone sure does. not everyone who believes in a god makes that belief the center of his/her life. i know plenty of people who go about their business without referring to god at all in public, and probably don't spend all their private time praying either. i also know some who can't go to the bathroom without asking god if it's a good idea. there is a difference.

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