My Youth Pastor's Pleading Letter to Me

[FreeTony]

I hate it when they say religion is bullshit, then try to indocrinate you into their religion.

[Minimalist]

Tell him that you've grown up now. You are no longer a child and you have moved beyond superstition and magic.

[Aractus]

I want to repsond in a way that will at least get him to think.
...
I think I barfed in my mouth slightly. He's a genuine, heartfelt guy, but he's choosing to feel rather than think. How can I reason with that?? I just don't know.

As a recent ex-xian I'd say get him on his facts.

Here's an easy one:

"He chose the Hebrews to be an example to the rest of creation as to what it looks like to be in a life-giving relationship with Him."

That's true, the god of Abraham chose the Hebrews as an "example" to the "rest of creation", there's a fact everyone agrees upon. Why then did ancient Egypt have near equal rights for women while the ancient Hebrews most certainly did not*? Why then does this same god demand that Abraham be willing to sacrifice his "only" son Isaac to him as a test of his righteousness? Try this one on for size - there's been humans on the planet for at least 200,000 years and possibly longer, how were the Hebrews examples to the Chinese, Japanese, Indians, Indigenous Americans, Aboriginal Australians, South Africans, etc?

If you ask the second question the answer you will usually hear is "God didn't accept the sacrifice ..." or "God wasn't really going to accept the sacrifice" - in which case say "I didn't say that I said he demanded that Abraham be willing to sacrifice his only son".

*You can prove this point with the fact that God decrees male slaves serve for 7 years and then be set free, but female slaves shall never be freed - there is no great proof than that that the ancient Hebrews/Israelites/Jews did not have anywhere near the gender-equality of Egypt or Rome.

[Thumpalumpacus]

[StealthySkeptic]

Truth is, you can't.

You can attempt to give a witty, faith jostling retort, but I don't think that would have the impact you're seeking to have.

Rather, you can outline (briefly or not, it's up to you) why you decided to ditch your faith; the moments that grew to culminate in you making that leap. I don't see any need to be antagonistic about it, almost like he is in that letter. Rather, outline the above, and conclude that you (personally) don't need a god, or a religious belief, to be who you are. Your love and kindness doesn't require an un-evidenced big bearded man in the sky.

Can I give a billion kudos to this? Is that physically possible? Because this is EXACTLY what I would do if I was in OP's position.

---

I also think that Minimalist's signature, "Atheism. Not a religion. A personal relationship with reality" perfectly rebuts the usual "It's not a religion it's a relationship...with a 2000 year old Jewish zombie" tactic Christians trot out.

[Ravenshire]

amalynne0,

You could always threaten to call the police if he doesn't cease and desist in his stalking behavior.

Just a thought.

[Mister Agenda]

That dude believes a LOT of stuff, but he doesn't give any reasons why you should believe he's right about any of it. He's just preaching, no reasoning in there at all.

[Elskidor]

I'll be following this thread to find out how you chose to deal with him. Good luck and keep us updated.

[downbeatplumb]

[ShaMan]

Ask your pastor if he'll meet you to smoke a joint and discuss the matter in person.