My Sister's Deconversion

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Permalink Reply by Sean on December 22, 2008 at 4:46pm

She will probably come to it naturally.

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Permalink Reply by Chiropteran on December 22, 2008 at 7:27pm

What 'nudged' you?

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Peter Robinson on December 23, 2008 at 2:38am

I was never a Christian as far back as I can remember. My parents say I was just argumentative as a child.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin on December 23, 2008 at 4:59am

Ask her to read one of many recent books on atheism. It would help her to decide where she fits.

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Permalink Reply by Jerry McMasters on December 24, 2008 at 9:49am

"Nudge" is the right word, don't push. People like to come to conclusions on their own. I suppose you can just provide yourself as an example of an atheist who is "normal," well-adjusted, not missing anything in life because of lack of religion, etc.

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Permalink Reply by Byron on January 9, 2009 at 2:51pm

For what reason? I would recommend staying out of it entirely, unless she asks you, and let her explore her spirituality herself, and love her no matter what religion she may end up with.

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Permalink Reply by Karam Gill on January 24, 2010 at 1:42pm

Agreed.

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Permalink Reply by Patryce on January 30, 2010 at 4:17pm

Totally agree with this.

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Permalink Reply by Edward Teach on January 23, 2010 at 8:06am

I don't think it is your job to nudge her. If your sister is intelligent, courageous and truly interested in objective truth (or as close as we can get), she will be an atheist. If she lacks intelligence and/or is ruled by fear and the need to be accepted... she'll be a Christian.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Healy on January 23, 2010 at 9:23am

Ask her what questions she has and listen.

If she asks your opinions give them but give her the space to work through it herself with a supportive and understanding shoulder from you.

That I suspect will do more for her self-esteem as one who is doubting than an open campaign of persuasion.

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Permalink Reply by Freedom of Anonymity on January 24, 2010 at 1:05am

Getting into coercive persuasion is exactly what religious zealots engage in; or have we learned nothing of Jehovah's Witnesses, Morons errr ... Mormons, and Islam.

Give her avenues to information that will edify her cerebral state(s), and it is highly likely, she will come to a proper conclusion of her own volition. Become coercive or antagonistic, and you may put her on the defensive.

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Permalink Reply by Meddlesome on January 29, 2010 at 6:28pm

1> Ask Questions, let her come up with the answers.
2> Ask her to justify her beliefs with what is repeatedly provable.

This will have the dual effect of letting her decide her 'mode' of atheism, and having an 'honest, i dont know' attitude to anything that isnt scientifically provable.

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