I want to help my friend, but is it too late?

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

Fuck off.

Wow!

OK you win,you're far too witty and pithy for me, I can't top that.

[kılıç_mehmet]

Ugh... I have a very good friend who happens to be Christian. I used to not care so much that she beliefs, but I just feel sorry for her that she has to live a life covered in so much ignorance. It's not fair to her. I want to help her see reality, but everything I tried did not have much or any effect at all.

For example I ask her why anyone would believe in an invisible "something" that isn't proven to exist, and then tells me that the Bible (*sigh*) is the evidence. Or that some people might feel something is missing from their lives.

The funny thing is, she hasn't even read the Bible. Yet she's so brainwashed into believing, that she can't grasp any other sort of reality. Because she likes to belief, and says she has no reason not to belief.

I've showed her some videos of things like the Atheist Experience and some other atheists making flawless arguments against the logic of the belief and existance of god. But the only thing she comments about is why those people (the atheists) are so aggressive (lol?) with their stance against god and then either ignores the rest of the video, or just goes on about not understanding blahblahblah...

Is there anything I can do to help her? Or has she been brainwashed beyond the point of salvation?
What are things that can be effectively used to show someone how dumb this belief is? Any texts, quotes, videos etc?

Self-righteous as any of the people you are up against.

[Norfolk And Chance]

Fuck off.

Wow!

OK you win,you're far too witty and pithy for me, I can't top that.

Absolutely correct.

[Mister Agenda]

It's never too late, but woo is something people have to think their own way out of. Humans have a tendency to push back when pushed, persisting in trying to deconvert her could damage your relationship with her. We often complain about people shoving their religion down our throats, we should be self-aware enough not to turn around and try to shove atheism down theirs.

Echoing some other posters, encourage her to read the Bible, on her own, without your commentary. If she wants to discuss something, discuss it, but don't waste the precious time you have together taking potshots at her faith. I'm in a relationship with a believer, we respect our differences, and we get along fine. YMMV, but I think you should try it.

[JudgeDracoAmunRa]

What are things that can be effectively used to show someone how dumb this belief is? Any texts, quotes, videos etc?

Did you ever believe in Santa? If you did, when you yourself believed did you think it was dumb? Course not. You truly believed. And you were happy believing, right? For one thing, it gave you something to look forward too. What your friend is looking forward to is Eternal Life in that heavenly place that no-one seems able to locate. What does it matter if your happiness is based on something others believe is a fairy tale? Are you happy believing that all that theo-babble is nothing but Santa for grown-ups?

I'd suggest that you let her be happy. If she comes to you saying that she is no longer happy with what she believes, then maybe it's time for you to discuss alternatives with her. And conversely, if you ever feel unhappy about you own beliefs, maybe you could discuss the Christian alternative with her. I'm sure you'd both like to help each other out, whichever way things go.

One last word. Do you have little kids? Even if you don't: I'm sure you can understand what I'm about to say. How about I come round to your house sometime near Christmass and tell your kids there is no Santa, and then I show them that all the pressies you've bought them have "made in China" stamped all over tham rather than "made in Santa's workshop, North Pole"?

Would you rather see your kids in ignorant bliss or enlightened sadness? Choice is yours.