When a Christian Makes Contact with an Atheist

Fixed:

The only winning move is not to play.

My experience as an atheist has been me holding a shield with them having a sword. I don't really have any interest in talking about God with anyone.

Right? I've gotten "Aren't you worried about going to Hell?"
Just.... no.
- Obviously not
- As much as I'm worried about getting lost in Narnia.
My experience has been the exact opposite!
I suspect it's a cultural thing, though. I'm British, but I know America has a very aggressive evangelical base. There are mega-churches and politicians and sports people are always talking about God and Jesus and we just don't have that over here.
On the other hand, a few atheists I know have tried to "convert" me before.
I'm guessing it's a certainty thing. From what I've seen of the American churches, some of them are absolutely borderline cults. So of course the folk are certain that they're right.
And there's certainly enough ammunition in religion as a whole for anyone who hates religion to think that they're right.
- Someone brought up religion, or god. Is it the athiests?
  I will absolutely push back if something brings up religion.
  It would be silly if a Christian tried to convert you, an already converted Christian. Maybe there's some confirmation bias at work?
- What did the atheists try to "convert" you to?
- I do live in the Bible belt.
- "there's certainly enough ammunition in religion as a whole for anyone who hates religion to think that they're right."
  Is a crazy way to phrase "there is evidence that supports their views"

A Christian girl once told me that she couldn't date me because I was a non believer. I could tell it hurt her to say it, but it seemed like genuine conviction.

It's a shame, because she was lovely.

Sad when people let superstitions prevent them from living the life they want.
Bullet dodged.
Dodged a bullet there

I had the misfortune of needing to attend a "Christian" university for a short while due to visa reasons in the US, the vomit inducing cult speak they do at every opprtunity at a institute that's about education and science was appalling, imagine the kids who have to grow up in such an environment, no wonder the country is so fucked up right now

I once had a study partner who was raised like that. We were scheduling our first after school study session and trying to figure out time. I shoot out sunday and he goes "nah I have church, wait don't you have church?" "nah, I'm an atheist"
dude vanished. Three days later I notice him trying to like... hide in a hoodie towards the opposite side of the class. I walk over, worried I offended him or something. He basically tells me that he can't interact with satanists and I just go "look, if you don't wanna interact with me, don't. You don't have to hide in a corner or try to avoid me. If you wanna draw the line at just existing in the same room, ok then."
To his credit, he did try to have a study session with me after that, but I had to end it early. The dude was so on edge, it was like he was convinced I was gonna stab him at any moment.
Years later he contacted me to apologize out of the blue on facebook. Went completely off grid traveling the world. My guess trying to compensate for just how little he knew of it.
- Well at least he kept to himself, I met a guy in university who asked for my number to invite me to a soccer game and then kept texting me to join his prayer group until I blocked his number
Religious leaders there openly brag about having gold shoes and private jets…

I'm a Christian pastor happily married to an atheist, AMA.

Do you believe your wife will go to hell?
Is she agnostic or does she believe there is no god?
- Do you believe your wife will go to hell?
  No. I don't believe in all that “you have to confess Jesus as your personal lord and saviour to avoid hell” crap. It's in fact something not very widespread outside evangelicalism. I believe the Cross is working mysteriously, far outside the frontier of the visible Church. A God who condemns people that doesn't recognize him is not a loving God, it's a pervert. I believe that “to confess Jesus as my personal lord and saviour” is a way to live a better life here and now, and I don't expect an eternal reward for that.
  Is she agnostic or does she believe there is no god?
  I'd say she's agnostic atheist. She doesn't know if God exist, but believes he does not, and in fact doesn't care.
- And to follow up, are you okay with that? If not, do you try to convince her to believe to save her? How does she feel about those efforts or lack of?
How did the marriage ceremony go, who officiated the marriage, was it a religious leader or another type of official. I am really curious because I want my Christian GF to have the wedding of her dreams and I am not sure how to approach the topic. I have no issues but I am scared a pastor or similar might have because I am atheist
- I live in France, where it's illegal to have a religious marriage without having a civil one first. As a pastor, I have to ask a proof that the people I religiously marries are already married civilly. I agree theologically with that, as protestants don't marry people, they bless an already existing marriage.
  So we had both. To be honest, in France, civil marriages are quite dull: it takes 5 minutes, the mayor or their deputy reads the law, asks for consent, makes the people sign, and it's the next couple's turn. It's very administrative. There's a little decorum, but just a little.
  So, even for people without strong belief, the ritual makes the marriage something special. It was the case for my spouse, at least. She's atheist, but she respects my faith, as I respect her atheism; she knew it was important for me, so that made it important for her.
  I would warn you though: if your girlfriend is Catholic, you'll have yo promise to raise your children in the Catholic faith. If your girlfriend is evangelical, they may ask you to testify of your faith. I'd say to discuss this with her first very openly, and test the waters with her priest/pastor. 90% are cool people, with whom you'll be able to be open, and they won't refuse you as long as they don't sense that you opposes the whole thing. 10% are assholes; I'd advice you to look for an other one; if it's the one your girlfriend wants, lie to them (as long as your girlfriend agrees with that). You don't marry for the officiant, you owe them nothing.
- I've seen a pastor hold a nice opening without any direct religious references
Were you both Christian and your partner fell out of it?
- No, she never was Christian, nor anything else for that matter.

Just venting...

Last year my partners mother stayed at our house for a long time (months). I felt constantly judged when I was around her, so I started to become reclusive. She started judging that too. I ended up falling into depression because I felt trapped in my own home.

The day before she left, she told me she hopes I find Jesus.

It took all my willpower not to snap.

Maintain eye contact and reply "Same to you."
"What do you mean? He watches me from the corner every time I'm masturbating."
- Should've gone full nuclear: "Jesus watches while I fuck your daughter from behind"

I grew up Christian in a place where most people were atheist, went to a Christian school, where about half the students were Christian and the other was atheist, then moved to different places all over. My experience through all of that was always: Regular people in either group mostly don't give a shit and just want to live their own lives. The "Christians" you see on TV are not normal people.

I grew up agnostic/atheist in the Bible Belt. There was a lot of casual discrimination, ostracism, and judgement if you weren't Christian. Even among different churches. I'd have loved for there have been more Christians like you, but unfortunately the TV/Fox News Christians are all over the place down there.
- Yea. Those types don't just exist on TV, they are everyday people in our communities for some of us. To just say they aren't "normal" erases the lived experiences of those who live where these mentalities are still very much the norm for that locality.
- I've never been to the US, but from what I've heard, I don't doubt for a second that the climate is a bit more aggressive over there.
One of my best friends is christian and I didn’t even know for years because it wasn’t relevant and they are a reasonable person.
Like 40% of the US are. It may not be their primary focus or how they actually live their lives but their views align and they will absolutely sell your children out to the Nazis or see you murdered if it aligns with what tv tells them.
Why do you care if they are the kind of folks who would start the lynching if they are the folks who would hang out and drink lemonade while you choke your life away?

Personally, I'm an atheist (anti-theist to be more precise), but I'll say that in my experience catholic christians tend to be less culty than protestant christians. Probably has something to do with the part that catholics believe that they actually have to be good vs protestants believing that simply believing is all you need.

Idk, Catholic services and practices are waaaay cultier than protestant ones. I mean, they all have pictures in their homes of the same white guy wearing a giant ceremonial hat and robe who lives in his own special nation. As a firm agnostic, I don't have a horse in this race, but my experience differs greatly from yours. They're all mild hobbyists compared to evangelicals anyway.
- Cultish practices vary from church to church, but there's way more protestant cults than catholic ones.
  And I mean proper cults, where they know how loony they seem, so they try to seem more normal to potential members. Then they love bomb newcomers, before inviting them to the special wednesday meetings where they promise supernatural powers if the newcomer is humiliated before the group and love bombed again when they're most vulnerable. Last step is making them cut ties with non-believers and ostracizing any apostates.
  Catholic King making infallible decrees is harmless compared to that.
Similarly, I'm an antitheist pagan. it's fun.

I'm as atheist as they come (I'm actually anti-theist in a lot of ways but I'm not militant about it) and I live in a very Red, very "Christian" area of the country, but with a couple of exceptions I haven't had too many problems with "Christians" in face to face encounters, though they are often very judgemental people and I don't particularly like associating with them. Still I haven't had to pull out my Halberd once.

The only real way "Christians" negatively impact my life is when they vote in laws that requires non-"Christians" to follow their interpretation of their religion and/or try to impose their religious views on me such as making the display of "The Ten Commandments" (one of them anyway) a requirement in our public schools, which they do in my state with frequency.

Actual Christians are much more rare and I get along with them a lot better. These people actually follow with Jesus teachings (within reason) and don't try to force their beliefs onto others. My mom was one such person in her later years and she was the best person I ever met in my life (before and after being more religious).

It takes all kinds. What's much more important to me than what you believe is how you behave.

I have no experience with real-life atheists, but internet atheists do be like that.

As an internet and real-life atheist ...yeah. Most atheists just don't talk much about their non-belief, because there isn't much to talk about, so in dedicated atheism communities, you mostly see those that are almost anti-theist...
- Most people are probably agnostic anyway
Yes, you do, they just don't tell you because why would they talk about something they either have zero interest it, or a past where they believed but then figured out it wasn't believable anymore for them?
_hyah_🤺
irl atheists are normal ass people 90% of the time. 10% or so are loud edgelords who (usually) grow out of it as they develop the capacity for empathy in their mid-20s.
online captial-A Atheists are a cult of evangelistic reactionaries who need therapy.

It’s funny being a socialist who doesn’t believe in god. I actually support the things Jesus taught becoming law, and Christians argue the most against it.

That's because Jesus's teachings are tenets of common decency.
Matthew 5 and 6 are almost entirely a good guide on how to live, and the literal exact opposite of how conservatives live. Starting from 5:21-22, Jesus says murder bad (obviously), but so is getting angry at fellow disciples. So much as calling someone a "fool" puts you at risk of the fires of Hell. 5:27-30 says adultery bad (obviously) but so is simply being lustful. Jesus says if you can't control your eyes, gouge em out. If you can't control your hands, cut em off. Jesus says divorce is equivalent to adultery. 33-37 say not to swear oaths, which I don't reay care about but I think it's funny that every christian politician swears on a bible, which Jesus literally says not to do. 38-42 is interesting; Jesus says that not only is "an eye for an eye" wrong, but that if someone wrongs you, you shouldn't retaliate at all. If someone asks for your shirt, you give them your coat as well. I like 5:42 the best:
Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
Matthew 5:43-48 says in absolutely no uncertain terms to love your enemies.

Most people I know are christian. Religion becomes a bit like politics. I don't get into it unless the other person does. Usually folks that do tend to be the annoying types but some surprise you (ie can discuss religion and get that people believe other things and thats ok. not just athiests but other religions and such). Many "pray for you".

Isn't there someone you forgot to ask? [Motions towards where the divine should be]

When I was on dating apps, I specifically filtered out anyone with religious beliefs (other than Buddhists, because they seemed inoffensive to me).

Got a selfie with a cross on your necklace? Nope. Same for women with photos with guns, anyone with an American flag, and any woman posing leaning against the hood of a sports car. There are telltale signs that we have different values. Honestly, I appreciate your advertising that we aren't compatible and saving me the effort finding out on my own.

"Which one?“

ITT: The most obnoxious type of fedora-wearing atheism. Makes me feel nostalgic for early reddit...

Oh did I say nostalgic? I meant nauseous.

Catholics, christians, atheism, veganism.

It's all the same to me. If they don't leave any room to speculate, learn, and grow beyond existing beliefs what's the point of living. 🤔

You understand christian and catholic is also the same right?
If only those people who don't already have a religious affiliation weren't so closed-minded, they might be able to adhere to a specific religious affiliation. If only those vegans were able to grow as people, they might just learn a thing or two about being okay with animal torture

I absolutely don't go asking around if you believe. And i can't legally carry swords. Or battle axes. Or even knives in general.