Changing Someone's Belief

[Zen Badger]

Last night I carpooled with a Christian friend who is the only theist I personally know that knows about my current beliefs. We have some really interesting conversations about theology and such. Last night though he asked twice about what exactly I saw in Christianity that didn't make it true. Twice I politely avoided the question and said I just didn't feel right going into that.

I've been trying to figure out why I can't do what I do on here in person. Is it because ultimately I fear taking away the happiness religion brings to him? I think it might be. I mean this guy told me in the same night about his 6 year plan to becoming a pastor. It feels downright morally wrong to potentially take away his dreams even if he asked for it.

Both times I told him the above. His opinion was that he sincerely wants to know the truth like I do. He said that if Christianity was wrong then he would be ok with that because then he can live his life according to the truth. But then I told him what truth? The truth that life is essentially meaningless? It just doesn't feel right to bring someone down to that realisation...

You will not change his beliefs, only he can do that.

If he is already starting to question the basis of his christianity, you can only contribute to it.

And we don't know that life is meaningless, we just realise that it doesn't have the "meaning" that christians think it does.

If he wants to know the "truth" like you do then tell him.

It is not your job to protect him.