Atheist on the Blog - Nick Gisburne

28 July 2007

28 July 2007

If you don't want to deal with Christians, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientologists and other religious types evangelising at your doorstep, how do you actually say no to them without being offensive? Here's one suggestion. They are very good at bringing you magazines and leaflets about their faith... so why not give them something to read as they head on down the street? Simply print out the following document, and hand it to the next Jesus Freak who disturbs your early morning peace at the weekend.

I've tried to keep it as inoffensive as possible, to give absolutely no indication that you are a militant atheist spoiling for a fight. Most people aren't. Most people just want these religious people to go away. If you become aggressive, or show annoyance, they will simply feel 'holier than thou', shake their heads and leave, without really hearing what you have to say. But a simple 'no thanks' also doesn't tell them why they are unwelcome. This message, however, tries to do exactly that.

It's time we started explaining to evangelists exactly why they shouldn't knock on our doors uninvited, preach to us when we don't want to listen and, often, condemn us if we tell them we are atheists. Adapt the words to your own message if you prefer, but I hope this at least gives you a few pointers.

I have a PDF file available ready to print out, but here's the text of the document:

Thanks
But No Thanks

You called today to talk about your beliefs and to try to share your religion with me. Perhaps you sought to teach me the 'right' way to find God, or Jesus, or Heaven. However, I do not share your beliefs and I do not wish to talk about religion, any religion, with you. I am an atheist. I have no belief in your god, or any other god. Thanks, but no thanks.

While I respect your right to worship and pray in any way you believe is appropriate, I also ask that you respect my right to live my life as an atheist. This is the only real difference between us. We are all atheists when it comes to the many, many gods believed to exist throughout history. I simply believe in one less god than you.

If you respect my right to freedom of religion, you will also know that I have the right to freedom from religion. For this reason I ask that you do not try to talk to me about your religion again. Most importantly of all, please do not try to convert me to your religion, or tell me that you are right and I am wrong. Equally, I will not make any attempt to discuss atheism with you. I will not tell you that I am right and you, and your religion, are wrong. Such a conversation would be pointless and would not change anyone's mind.

If you called at my house, please do not do so again. In return, I will not visit the houses of Christians, or those of other religions, with messages about the benefits of atheism. If you imagine how unwelcome such an approach would be at your household, this is how unwelcome your approach has been today.

There is no need to pray for me. Of course if you wish to do so there is nothing I can do, or would wish to do, to stop you, but prayer is not something which will ever be a part of my life, and I can assure you that my atheism is not open to influence from a supernatural being which I personally do not believe in.

I believe that you presented information about your beliefs to me with the best of intentions, but I wish to politely decline your offer to share your faith with me. I have no need for religion. I live a good, productive, moral life, without need of guidance from ancient texts or modern-day preaching. I am happy living this way, and do not wish to take part in any religious service, prayer or discussion.

Please do not think that I dismiss your religion lightly. I have read the Bible and it does not convince me that God exists, or indeed ever existed. Similarly, other religions do not persuade me that any supernatural being, or personal god, exists and influences my life, or indeed anyone else's life.

I hope you do not take offence at my words, or seek to condemn me because I do not share your beliefs. I certainly am not offended that you are a person of faith, and that you believe in a deity while I do not. We should simply agree to disagree and not raise the subject of religion again. Please do not contact me again, or ask anyone else to bring me similar religious messages. I ask you to respect my wishes in this. As an atheist, I do not wish to talk to you, or to anyone you know, about religion.

Thanks, but no thanks.