An Encounter With Some Preachers

[Hungry Hungry Hippo]

Next time that's brought up, how should I respond?

I guess I don't understand why you'd want to engage them at all. 

Since you don't expect to learn from them, and it's unlikely they'll change their minds about anything, I'd probably just stay quiet. 

My experience has been that when approached "That's not for me," is usually enough. "I don't want to talk to you," is the most extreme thing I've had to say. 

Or is there some pleasure for you in arguing with these people?

Well, I did learn from them. They introduced me to an apologetic that I'd never before encountered and they forced me to re-examine and strengthen my point of view. Engaging with people you disagree with is good for you. Also, I think that conversations of this nature need to take place between religious people and atheists much more often. That's how we create a less religious world.