Just push back and refuse to engage. Tell them you’re not amoral and you have examined some advanced theology, thank you very much. It may help to throw some prepared, impenetrable, philosophical jargon at them (e.g. try to explain rule-based utilitarianism or TDT). They may give up quickly if they were just prepared to argue at the Pascal’s Wager level.
Religion has “armor” that some believers use to shut down those trying to question it; appropriate some of that in service of your atheism. To wit:
“You’re worried about my soul? Don’t—I accept the responsibility.”
“It’s a separate magesterium! Beliefs about the spiritual realm don’t affect reality, so all are equally valid!”
“You’re being intolerant of my religion by criticising my [non]beliefs!”
Interesting tactic. Perhaps brainstorming some responses like this will help as well. I’m not terribly fond of sort of “aggressive” responses, but think the suggested route might have some definite benefits, especially to avoid unnecessary fear since I know I have a handful of “escape clauses.”
Just push back and refuse to engage. Tell them you’re not amoral and you have examined some advanced theology, thank you very much. It may help to throw some prepared, impenetrable, philosophical jargon at them (e.g. try to explain rule-based utilitarianism or TDT). They may give up quickly if they were just prepared to argue at the Pascal’s Wager level.
Religion has “armor” that some believers use to shut down those trying to question it; appropriate some of that in service of your atheism. To wit:
“You’re worried about my soul? Don’t—I accept the responsibility.”
“It’s a separate magesterium! Beliefs about the spiritual realm don’t affect reality, so all are equally valid!”
“You’re being intolerant of my religion by criticising my [non]beliefs!”
Interesting tactic. Perhaps brainstorming some responses like this will help as well. I’m not terribly fond of sort of “aggressive” responses, but think the suggested route might have some definite benefits, especially to avoid unnecessary fear since I know I have a handful of “escape clauses.”