(December 27, 2009 at 3:16 am)dt83 Wrote:(December 27, 2009 at 2:59 am)theVOID Wrote: Sticky situation.
You should suggest that for every Christian book you read she should be required in turn to read some Dawkins or Epstein's "good without god" - In fact you should initiate it, tell her that if you read a book of her choosing that she has to read one of your choosing.
You already mentioned that you have gone to church with her and read her books and spoken to her pastor - but what has she done in return?
Well I'm not hear to argue that what she's doing isn't unfair to me. I know it is, but I love the girl. I've known her for almost ten years now and she's been my best friend for 7 of those years so I can cut her some slack and deal with the irrationality of her religion. And to be honest I don't care that she's a christian I just wish she'd leave me alone about not being one. The one thing that baffles me is she thinks its a choice to believe in god, and I don't think I ever chose to become an atheist so how I'm supposed to choose to be a christian just baffles me. Maybe I should pretend to be pagan for a month or two that might make her appreciate my beliefs more.
I was suggesting that you exchange ideas fairly so that you can both have a better understanding of each others positions, and stating that you will read her apologetic of choice will make her more comfortable with reading an atheistic book and not give her the impression that you just want to destroy her faith.
From what you have described you have been the one making all the effort. I am not suggesting that you try and convert her - in fact i would recommend very strongly that you don't try to convert her, just introduce her to your position - the book "Good without God" would be perfect for making her more comfortable with the idea that you are an atheist without attempting to convert her in any way, so she does not feel pressured and at the same time gets to know exactly what atheism is and how it has nothing to do with whether or not you are ultimately a good person.
Good without God is after all intended for Christian audiences with Atheist family members and friends and also for people in the process of losing their faith who need to shake the religious lies about Atheists being inherently immoral, so that is the best advice i can give you for trying to make the situation more palpable for both of you.
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