Forced to see a Minister.... UGHHH

[Wunsbee]

Are they the type of people that want to know what a real atheist is? Or are they just happy in their (probable) beliefs that we worship and work for satan?

I'd say something in the middle.

[Minimalist]

I'm 16

Dafuq.

Some days I fucking hate Christians!

That's every day for me!

[Wunsbee]

Dafuq.

Some days I fucking hate Christians!

That's every day for me!

hahahahahha, would you consider yourself an anti theist?

[Minimalist]

Definitely. Religion has been a curse to the human mind. "God" is an irrelevancy. Religion, however, exists. And it sucks.

Try to memorize this quote by Robert Green Ingersoll for your meeting.
And note the date.

We have heard talk enough. We have listened to all the drowsy, idealess, vapid sermons that we wish to hear. We have read your Bible and the works of your best minds. We have heard your prayers, your solemn groans and your reverential amens. All these amount to less than nothing. We want one fact. We beg at the doors of your churches for just one little fact. We pass our hats along your pews and under your pulpits and implore you for just one fact. We know all about your mouldy wonders and your stale miracles. We want a this year's fact. We ask only one. Give us one fact for charity. Your miracles are too ancient. The witnesses have been dead for nearly two thousand years.
-- Robert Green Ingersoll, "The Gods" (1872)

They will try to claim that the fucking bible is a fact. It is a pile of shit.

[Lemonvariable72]

Perhaps you should use the term agnostic instead of atheist. They will understand agonistic as the term was coined by Huxley and that isn't that far off from what most of us seem to believe but it lacks the connotations that the word atheist has and will likely save you from that stupid " so your really agnostic" argument.

[Angrboda]

Do not attempt to argue with him or her. That is a trap. He or she will simply keep trying different things until they hit upon something you are unfamiliar with, or something you are unsure of. Consider these stock phrases, "I don't believe, I just don't," and, "That's a good point, and I'd have to think about it some more, but I don't find it persuasive," followed by, "I still don't believe." If you get flustered, ask him or her to write down what they just said so you can look into it later, ask them to repeat what they said, or ask them to phrase it a different way because you don't understand their point as stated; this will give you time to think, and allow you to defuse any emotional charge. They will try to convince you they are your friend. Real friends respect your heartfelt beliefs and don't try to change you. He or she is not your friend. Be plain about how you feel. If they suggest you trust them, tell them you see no reason to trust someone who is basically a complete stranger. If they accuse you of something, that you are hostile or whatever, simply deny it and move on. Don't try to explain or defend yourself. "All you can say when people say things about you that aren't true is say it ain't so." (Ursula K Le Guin) Stonewall. Do not try to bring the argument to them; let them come to you. If you're unsure, keep things simple and concrete; talk about feelings and identifiable things; do not be dragged into talking about intangibles like fate, free will, choice, sin, and the like. That is a trap. Keep it focused on things you can see, touch, and easily believe. Let them make the case, don't give them "your side," as they'll just use it to undermine your resolve.

Keep it simple.

Best of luck, and may you prosper in all things.

[Wunsbee]

Do not attempt to argue with him or her. That is a trap. He or she will simply keep trying different things until they hit upon something you are unfamiliar with, or something you are unsure of. Consider these stock phrases, "I don't believe, I just don't," and, "That's a good point, and I'd have to think about it some more, but I don't find it persuasive," followed by, "I still don't believe." If you get flustered, ask him or her to write down what they just said so you can look into it later, ask them to repeat what they said, or ask them to phrase it a different way because you don't understand their point as stated; this will give you time to think, and allow you to defuse any emotional charge. They will try to convince you they are your friend. Real friends respect your heartfelt beliefs and don't try to change you. He or she is not your friend. Be plain about how you feel. If they suggest you trust them, tell them you see no reason to trust someone who is basically a complete stranger. Stonewall. Do not try to bring the argument to them; let them come to you. If you're unsure, keep things simple and concrete; talk about feelings and identifiable things; do not be dragged into talking about intangibles like fate, free will, choice, sin, and the like. That is a trap. Keep it focused on things you can see, touch, and easily believe. Let them make the case, don't give them "your side," as they'll just use it to undermine your resolve.

Keep it simple.

Best of luck, and may you prosper in all things.

---

Do not attempt to argue with him or her. That is a trap. He or she will simply keep trying different things until they hit upon something you are unfamiliar with, or something you are unsure of. Consider these stock phrases, "I don't believe, I just don't," and, "That's a good point, and I'd have to think about it some more, but I don't find it persuasive," followed by, "I still don't believe." If you get flustered, ask him or her to write down what they just said so you can look into it later, ask them to repeat what they said, or ask them to phrase it a different way because you don't understand their point as stated; this will give you time to think, and allow you to defuse any emotional charge. They will try to convince you they are your friend. Real friends respect your heartfelt beliefs and don't try to change you. He or she is not your friend. Be plain about how you feel. If they suggest you trust them, tell them you see no reason to trust someone who is basically a complete stranger. Stonewall. Do not try to bring the argument to them; let them come to you. If you're unsure, keep things simple and concrete; talk about feelings and identifiable things; do not be dragged into talking about intangibles like fate, free will, choice, sin, and the like. That is a trap. Keep it focused on things you can see, touch, and easily believe. Let them make the case, don't give them "your side," as they'll just use it to undermine your resolve.

Keep it simple. And best of luck.

Thank you for those tips! Here's the thing, he's not a stranger... I know him.

[Minimalist]

I know him.

But he's not your friend. His purpose is to intimidate you.

[Lemonvariable72]

To add to what rasetu has said, remember your only sixteen and they have been at this a long time. The priest may even have special training on how to deal with people like you and has 2000 years worth of apologetics behind him that is basically designed to resist refute.

[Angrboda]

Thank you for those tips! Here's the thing, he's not a stranger... I know him.

Then adjust it to fit the facts of your situation. Is this someone you know well enough to trust implicitly? If one of your friends were trying to do this to you, would you trust them, or would you be wary? Ask this person if it's reasonable for you to effectively "put your life in their hands" given your current relationship. Would you trust this person to guard your sleeping body if you were hunkered down in a war zone, behind enemy lines? I doubt you'd say yes to the question of unconditional trust of this person. Just be plain about that. You can also suggest that skepticism is a good trait to have.

You're not playing a game, though there are stakes involved. Just focus on the simple truths. Stay in your center. Try to avoid being dragged away from the simple and tangible. If you find yourself being dragged into abstract or fuzzy things, just shake your head and return to the simple. Say, "I just don't know about that," or "I find that confusing." Being confused or not knowing does not mean you need to be willing to give them freebies. If they follow by implying that your confusion and not knowing suggests that you should remain open, simply say how you feel about that. (Ignorance or confusion are not good bases to rest belief upon.) You don't have to lie, or remember grand strategies. Just be honest, and focus on the simple things that you can be sure of.


(ETA: And it's okay to feel scared and vulnerable, and to tell them as much. Like ignorance, feeling vulnerable isn't an excuse to believe. It's a good reason to justify not taking any big steps. If he or she makes you feel frightened or vulnerable, just acknowledge those feelings, say, "I'm feeling frightened/scared/wary/anxious/vulnerable, and find it hard to be open / trusting when I feel this way. I trust my feelings when they urge caution.")