Facing the Morally Bad Future

[Tempus]

The issue here is that potentially we could go into every little detail and I could give them every last reason why I can't see any reason to believe again. I'm thinking the best thing to do is compromise and make myself look partially stupid i.e. don't bring out some of the reasons for their sake. i highly doubt that then they'll leave it there if I've left intentional holes in my reasoning...

When I have people try to convince me of their thinking I ask myself if they're genuinely trying to help me or if their motives lie elsewhere. A lot of the time it seems people try to score points under the guise of 'helping'. They get satisfaction from saving or correcting people - the satisfaction is derived from being right, from being a saviour, rather than actually being interested in understanding how others feel or what they think. And of course, I'm not saying you friends are like this - I know nothing about them - but it's something to watch out for, especially with any subject someone's heavily invested in.

As someone who feigned stupidity (well, sometimes I only needed to exaggerate it) throughout high school, I wouldn't recommend that route; you've got better things to do than pretend you're ignorant. Maintaining a lie is taxing too, as I'm sure you're experiencing now. Still, tactful omission can sometimes be prudent.

Personally, I say they shouldn't ask questions they aren't prepared to receive the answers to. Provided they aren't going to kill/harm anyone (or themselves) then I say go ahead and answer. You state of non-belief isn't a choice any more more than any other belief you hold. You're revealing a truth about yourself.

Yes, telling them that I don't want some of these things in my life i.e. I don't believe is absolutely crucial for me to stay sane.

Then I think you've answered your own question. While I can't say I know how difficult it is, I am at least aware it's not easy. If they're worth being around your friendship will weather your revelation. If not, I wonder do you really want a friendship contingent on believing the same thing?