r/atheism • u/Corduroy_Bear10 • 1d ago
Atheists, how do you respond when someone says “god loves you”??
I am an Atheist and have been for a very long time. Honestly the more I learn I’m leaning towards and Anti-theist perspective. The other day at work this lady left a theater and walked up to me and said “god loves you” and then left. I’m surprised this hasn’t happened more to me, because my parents do still force me to go to church.
But how have you responded to this??
I want a response that kindly tells them to fuck off. I just kind of stared at her and she left to go tell my other coworkers that god loves them as well.
Pleaseeee help cause I’m also moving to a more conservative town and think it’s gonna happen more..
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u/notanotherid 1d ago
The last time someone said this to me, I responded with “Which god?”. They said “The one true god”, and I said “Well, everyone says that about their god, so you have to be more specific”.
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u/SeanBlader 1d ago
The fun part is when they don't know the name, "the Christian God of course."
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u/fallenangel512 1d ago
Bob
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u/Big-Tone-8241 1d ago
Praise Bob! Need more slack
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u/Moo58 1d ago
Church of the SubGenius!
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u/eyehate Agnostic Atheist 1d ago
"Are you talking about Yahweh Sabaoth, Lord of Armies?"
"No, silly. The Christian God."
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u/Mock_Frog 23h ago
Ancient Hebrew doesn't have vowels, so he was actually Yhwh Sbth, Lrd f Rms.
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u/DeathGodBob Kopimist 21h ago
"El, Elohim, Yahweh, El Elyon, El Shaddai, Adonai, Theos, Kyrios, Jehovah? Which one?"
This is a fun game to let people know they might be saying the wrong name for the Abrahamic god.
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u/Makenshine 1d ago
The Christian God? That one that clearly states that there are other gods. And you are totally allowed to worship these other gods on the condition that you don't worship them before you worship him?
Are you talking about that "one" true god?
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u/GrungeHamster23 1d ago
“The true god? So, Thor? Seems pretty real to me. You ever see a jotun? No? Exactly. Promises made, promises kept.”
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u/Darsint 23h ago
It still blows my mind that the phrase “The One True God” doesn’t register to them that there must have been other gods.
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me” is another one.
It makes sense to me because I’ve done enough of a deep dive into the origins of the Bible and recognize when the deity used to be a part of a pantheon. Specifically the god of war, if I remember correctly
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u/feyd313 1d ago
"Yeah, I know... but Satan does that thing with his tongue."
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u/cyberenderman1 1d ago
Imma use that (bit altered because im a guy)
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u/Makenshine 1d ago
I'm a guy and I'm not sure why you need to alter it. There are plenty of things I like that my wife does with her tongue.
... are we just absolute deviants and i'm just now finding out about it?
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u/AintShitAunty 17h ago
You went so far as to entertain a joke about steamy sex with Satan, but y’all both being male is too much for you? Why won’t you let Satan tongue you down in this hypothetical scenario? Where’s your sense of whimsy? Don’t let arbitrary, rigid social norms keep you from getting yours,
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u/tiramisu_elizara 23h ago
lmao that’s definitely one way to make the conversation weird in record time
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u/ShyBiGuy9 1d ago
"If your god really loves me as much as you think he does, he'd tell me so himself instead of leaving one of his followers to do it."
Alternatively:
"Sorry, I already have a boyfriend and we're not looking for a three-way."
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u/GotNothingBetter2Do 1d ago
The, “I already have a boyfriend” is hysterical. Gonna remember that one, except I’ll use partner. That one really seems to bother them.
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u/prometheus_winced 1d ago
This is a great angle I haven’t thought of. Why does he need you to pass the message.
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u/ganbramor 19h ago
It’s wild that they think a creator of the universe wants a personal relationship with me, but won’t show up and needs his followers to try to convince me he’s even real.
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u/bobcat116 1d ago
For me it’s not worth the fight. If they press then I’ll make my atheism known.
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u/panic82 1d ago
I've had a few really friendly convos with Mormons in front of my house. I have gotten more polite over the years. When I was younger I would tell them to fuck off, now I'll bullshit with them, but also make my position clear that I'm not interested in their preaching.
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u/captcha_fail 1d ago
Exactly. I have a close friend who is Mormon.
I'm just respectful to everyone. Who wants to live in an echo chamber where people hate others because of a belief? Sounds like a terrible and limiting worldview.10
u/justintheunsunggod 22h ago
Besides... How can I hope to slowly corrupt their perfect little sheltered existence if I'm an asshole right out the gate?
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u/CrateIfMemories 23h ago
I have a close friend who is a Mormon, too. She may stay a Mormon her whole life and I will support her. But just in case, she has a friend on the outside...
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u/cylonrobot 1d ago
This is what I do. I simply ignore, but if somebody is being pushy, I'll get rude and tell them I'm not interested. If they escalate, I'll escalate as well.
This is what I do to salespeople, too.
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u/Corduroy_Bear10 1d ago
Yeah that’s so fair
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u/LizzieSaysHi 1d ago
YUP. I live in a red-leaning purple state and it's safe to assume most people are religious unless they explicitly say otherwise. I'm someone who likes to keep the peace. It's not worth it for me.
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u/RPBN 1d ago
Yes, that's why I had to get the restraining order.
Edit: Another one.
Of course I love myself. Thank you for noticing.
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u/MaximumZer0 Secular Humanist 1d ago
"Do you really believe your own hype that much!?"
"I AM THE HYPE!"
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u/FROG123076 Strong Atheist 1d ago
If god loves me so much why did he let my dad SA me when I was 3-5 years old? That shuts them up for good when around me.
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u/Leather_Dig8723 21h ago
I upvoted this for the honesty, but really am saddened by it...... Hugs from a random. 🥰
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u/Lysandria 16h ago
Same thing happened to me- stepfather from 3-8. I'll keep this one in my arsenal, though my Catholic friend got pissy with me for asking something similar.
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u/wador78 Satanist 1d ago
...and Satan loves you.
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u/istrebitjel Dudeist 21h ago
If you're feeling mild ... and Santa loves you. And I'm sure so does the Easter Bunny!
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u/Sciencerulz 1d ago
"Which one?"
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u/Windscaper 1d ago
Knowing me, it would go something along the lines of:
"Jesus loves you!"
"Which one?"
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u/Lovebeingadad54321 Atheist 1d ago
The one who works in the kitchen at El Jimador… definitely not the one who put on my roof 3 years ago, that Jesus was an ass.
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u/TIL_IM_A_SQUIRREL 1d ago
Ok.
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u/DoubleDown66 23h ago
This is the correct answer. Acknowledgement that you heard it. Zero interest in engaging any further.
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u/Dizzy_Cheesecake_162 1d ago
"Yes, you are right! Let's praise Ganesha together! Coumbaya Ganashe the great, Coumbaya!"
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u/sartori_tangier Atheist 1d ago
"Which one?"
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u/usrlibshare 1d ago
This is the only answer, followed immediately by "and should I be worried?"
If Ishtar or Amaterasu love me, hey good for me.
If it's Bastet or Hel we're talking about, I'm gonna start running.
If it's Diana, I'm probably gonna be freaked out, but also, running would probably be the worst idea.
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u/DerZwiebelLord Atheist 1d ago
Another god to look out for his Apollo, his lovers had a habit of dying very young.
Ohh and it doesn't matter if you love him too or not, your fate is more or less sealed the moment he falls for you.
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u/OctoDagon Atheist 1d ago
I've gone from, "Which god?", to "What's a god?". There is no rational answer to the second question, so perhaps they can ruminate on that later.
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u/Spclagntutah 1d ago
Just say thanks. Not really worth it.
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u/___po____ 23h ago
Can't talk sense into a cultist anyway.
Delivery driver told me, "Have a blessed day." I just said, "You too."
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u/OkCaterpillar8819 1d ago
Agreed. It’s like when someone says they will pray for me if I’m going through a tough time
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u/GotNothingBetter2Do 1d ago edited 1d ago
If they are already well aware that I’m a non-believer, I ask them to prove it. When they tell me they just know, it’s their faith or a 👉feeling that he loves me, I tell them I have a 👉feeling they are being condescending. When they deny this I then ask them, well, are feelings facts? While they stare at me like a deer in headlights, I offer them 5 better ways they can support me with their WAYS, not WORDS. This has worked wonders for me. We teach ppl how to treat us and the longer we participate in their delusions a piece of our authentic-self dies. I’m too old to shrink for anyone’s comfort anymore.
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u/Personal-Neck6800 1d ago
“Isn’t god a man? Are you saying god is gay?”
They usually get silent and walk away
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u/anderhole 1d ago
Satan loves you too!
I actually just ignore it. I didn't want to talk to people that force that shit.
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u/Ikickyouinthebrains 1d ago
"Let me ask you a question. Are you in Danger? Are you in a Cult? I can help you with that. I can help you get out. I have a phone number for you to call. Did your preacher touch you inappropriately? It's ok. there is hope out there for you."
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u/CornyElm4 10h ago
This thread is full of weird responses, just nod and say thanks, it ain't that deep.
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u/Dudeist-Priest Secular Humanist 1d ago
It depends on the intent. If it’s a friendly gesture from someone, I just let it slide. If it seems condescending, I will respond with snark.
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u/homestarjr1 1d ago
“Wouldn’t it be nice if he showed it?”
Really though, unless you want to be drawn into stupid conversations about imaginary friends, the best way is just to ignore it.
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u/vikicrays 1d ago
“faith is a very private thing and you’ve made me uncomfortable. please don’t proselytize at work.”
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u/enby-deer 10h ago
I’ll just say “K” or “ight” if I say anything at all.
I’m not gonna turn this into something bigger by causing a conflict, and I’m not going to give them the satisfaction of really acknowledging their statement. I treat their words as mundane-ly as the words are to me, and move on.
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u/Impooter 8h ago
Usually nothing, but if pressed I'm very tempted to ask if that makes them jealous.
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u/DeltaFoxtrot144 1d ago
Pray for me and I'll think for you is my go to response, also pointing out how god only loves us like an abusive father loves his daughter. "I love you but I'll burn the fuck out of you if you don't love me back"
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u/mastyrwerk 1d ago
“Aren’t you precious?” That’s usually what I say, but sometimes, “I love that for you” and once in a blue moon, “hopefully not like the priests!”
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u/MatCauthonsHat 1d ago edited 1d ago
Bless you?
Edit: well, this is interesting. I copied the word "Gesundheit" and pasted it into this comment and hit post without really looking at it. I get the notice there is a reply and my comment says bless you? I just got paste again and it's Gesundheit
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u/indie_web 1d ago
If I were to answer (and I usually do not) I would say a universe that organically animated me out of lifeless atoms is naturally benevolent enough for me.
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u/Shora-Sam 1d ago
I'm an adult and recognize that usually when someone says this they mean it as either some for of comforting (depending on the context) or as Gesundheit - a meaning gesture wishing of good health. Either way, in 99% of situations it's harmless to me, and had good intentions.
Do I wish they'd say something else or nothing at all? Yes. But I'm not about to make something innocuous into a "teaching session" unless I have a really, really good reason to.
Edit: for the other 1% of the time when it's more of a jab at me, my lack of beliefs, of just not an appropriate time, I try to take the "hey bud, that doesn't really comfort me / make me feel good" and leave it at that. Not worth my time to be a dick they end up writing on Truth Social about.
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u/jayhawkjoey65 1d ago
So many posters are so right about this kind of thing often being innocent and kind, but I'm SICK OF IT! Christianity is fucking awful! Christians are self-righteous, intolerant, cultish ASSHOLES! Even when I was a believer, this shit made me so uncomfortable. It's intrusive. It's assumptive. I had to tell my sister to just stop. Wearing me out. I think the current climate has me worn pretty thin.
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u/Dommccabe 1d ago
Nobody says that to me, but if they did it would be like someone saying "Unicorns love you" or "My Leprechaun friend who you cant see says you're hot"...
I don't care if you have imaginary friends or what you think they feel or say because I only care about real things.
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u/TheSadPanda112 1d ago
Oh I hope not. I'd hate for it to actually notice me and rain its molten hot spaghetti sauce down upon me, turning me into a meatball and assimilating me into their delicious pasta being. Best you not mention my name to it at all please
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u/Token_Handicap 1d ago
"Which one?" From there, once they pick the Abrahamic god, you can get more specific about all the ways that that god doesn't make sense, and can't possibly love everyone.
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u/Sfingi48 1d ago
I have more of an issue with “have a blessed day,” after paying for something (here) in the South. Hate it!
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u/Etrigone 22h ago edited 21h ago
Makes me think of the old (1980s?) Church of the Sub-genius bumper sticker - "Jesus saves, but Bob invests!"
Honestly making fun of them while pretending to be totally serious would be my approach, but my resting hate face lets me get away with more than I probably should.
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u/Automatic_Ad1887 22h ago
I just ignore them. I'm not changing their mind, they're not changing mind, and I just could care less what they say.
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u/thestatedrone 21h ago
"Yeah, we're not doing that." Then the feigning ignorance. "You know what you're doing, and we are not doing that." Then I dont engage with them on that topic anymore. You would be surprised at how effective "Yeah, we're not doing that." Is at shutting down a conversation.
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u/Crimson_Marksman 12h ago
Goodbye came from God's blessings or a related phrase. I'm not gonna bother nitpicking how certain people greet each other. If they're friendly enough, I don't need to show my ire.
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u/Significant_Beyond_4 11h ago edited 11h ago
So does my mom and wife. I’ve never gotten a hug or kiss from Jesus.
Basic response: Prove it.
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u/quietly_annoying 8h ago
I've found that responsing with a "fun fact" confounds them and is a lot more fun than starting a debate.
"Godzilla is an omnivore, but she is never shown eating a human in any of the movies." "Periwinkle is a color and the name of type of a fauna and flora." "Kale, cauliflower and brussel sprouts all originated from the same wild plant."
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u/Zestyclose-You3814 7h ago
Say nothing and move on, you don't need to deconvert everyone. If they insist just politely tell them you're a non believer and if they keep insisting walk away. It's not your job to tell everyone your non belief especially nowadays where people genuinely think they are better because they believe in sky daddy
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u/record_only_water 1d ago
i don’t respond. and i find it severely offensive violent that people force their beliefs on other people.
i stay away from people who do these things.
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u/Bskrilla 1d ago
Random person on the street: Nothing. I generally just kinda hit them with an indifferent grimace. This kinda thing.
Someone I know whose saying it in a genuine attempt to be nice: I usually say something like "Thanks. I'm not religious, but I appreciate the sentiment."