Navigating Religious Conversations: Tips for Non-Discussion

Dealing with religious conversations that you find intrusive can be challenging. Whether it's a friend, a neighbor, or even a random evangelist knocking on your door, knowing how to avoid religious discussion without offending can be tricky. Here are some strategies that might help, along with a few tips to manage mixed messages in public relations.

Strategies for Non-Discussion

Many people, especially those of a different or no religious belief system, find it uncomfortable when approached with religious material or conversation. If you are one such person, here are a few methods you can use to redirect the conversation and maintain your boundaries:

1. Turn the Tables

One effective method is to come up with a fictitious religion or belief system. This can shift the conversation in a way that the evangelist sees how uncomfortable and frustrating it can be to be pitched a different religion. For example, you could say:

Why not try to save me first? Make up a religion and try to convert me and see how they like it. It can get pretty interesting.

2. Invoke Comedy

Another approach is to add a dash of humor, especially if it's just for fun or a playful interaction. For instance, take a mock approach towards religions:

But have you heard the good news of our Lord and Saviour Long John Johnathan of Length THE Longest of ALL Johns? He doth not cometh short-sighted for he is LONG!

Try something like this to inject a bit of humor and lighten the mood, making the conversation less serious and more playful.

3. Politely Decline

When an evangelist or religious friend approaches you, it's perfectly acceptable to politely decline further discussion. You can set boundaries early on to avoid prolonged conversations:

In my case, I am a person who won’t shut up, I ask many questions and won’t let them off the hook. Send them to me: In your case, let them know that they are not respecting your wishes and you would rather not discuss topics as religion.

If they can't respect that, they don't respect you as an individual.

4. Cite Personal Experience

For those who find evangelism more persistent, you might want to use your personal experience as a counterpoint:

If the evangelist shows up at the door, greet them in a friendly manner but be firm about your boundaries. I usually say, 'I have been a Christian for the past 60 years and I will pray for you that you abandon your false prophets of Evangelicalism and convert to Christianity.' Results are instant, and they always leave right away.

5. Offer a Fair Exchange

Another tactic is to offer a genuine exchange but frame it in a way that they see it as a fair deal:

You want to teach me about Christianity, okay. I want to teach you about Judaism and the mistakes in Christian scripture. So shall I start?

Such a method can work, but they are rarely happy about it, as they might feel that you've stumped them or they've wasted time.

Dealing with Mixed Messages

It's also important to address the mixed messages issue, especially in public relations. If you find yourself asking a lot of questions about God and the New Testament, including the Christian God, it might be perceived that you have some level of interest in Christianity. This can make Christians feel inclined to share their beliefs, even if you are not interested in hearing them:

1. Self-Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on your intentions and interests. If you are genuinely curious about Christianity, it might be best to express this and seek answers in a less intrusive manner. If you are not interested, acknowledge it:

It's natural and normal that if you ask such questions a Christian will want to explain to you what they believe. If you give reasons against it, they will give reasons for it. And it's natural that they will invite you to believe the same. If you don't want these conversations with you, stop asking such questions that give the impression of interest.

2. Firm Boundaries

Ultimately, setting clear boundaries can help prevent unexpected discussions:

Be clear about your boundaries. If they continue to pressure or persist in conversations, it's okay to reaffirm your stance.

By understanding the context and employing these strategies, you can manage and prevent unwanted religious discussions in a respectful and effective manner.