What's the healthiest way to deal with this?Secular advice about religious toleration?
Stay at home, lol.
Edit: Dude, that's what I did when I lived in WV. Except I was fortunate enough to have friends that I've known since childhood that accept me and my evil atheistic ways, lol and don't bother preaching at me.Secular advice about religious toleration?
It's culture. I say learn something. Kinda like when I joined the army and first really hung out with black people (I grew up in a 99.9% white neighborhood). I listened, hung out, and made some of the best friends of my life. So the point is embrace the conversation, and you might like it instead of hate, or have a prejudice for it. Remember, people aren't perfect - and christians are people.
I really don't know; I have a close friend in Georgia who's experiencing the same problem, has done so for years.
I don't know what your religious beliefs are, don't know what might work for you. But you might consider thanking people for their religious testimony, since they're trying to save your soul from what they think is damnation, and you might then even ask them to pray for you. Then see if you can turn the conversation in a different direction.
If you have strong religious beliefs yourself, you might also turn the table on them by asking them if they're saved ... I don't know if this is really a good idea, though, or if it would get them riled up. It's nice to think about, though.
Another idea: find someone who shares your sensibilities who's lived in Georgia for some time, and ask them what they do.
I think if I were in your situation, I might try to quote the Gospels at them and point out the extreme importance that Jesus seemed to place on people doing more for the poor, the implication being that perhaps the person I'm talking to isn't quite as devout in this regards as he or she should be.
Ditto regarding what Jesus said about loving even our enemies; ditto what he said about people not being able to serve ';God and mammon'; -- God %26amp; money.
I mean, if you have a certain kind of religious background, you can always preach sermons back at them. If you have a more secular background, I don't know just what you do. Be polite and nod a lot, maybe, and be willing to accept it when people offer you literature.
I guess it depends on what you call 'sermon' some people think someone is preaching when all they said was ' God is good', I have lived all over the country[ your area of DC/ Baltimore included] and it is basically the same all over; the only differences that i have found from one area of the country to another is the cuisine of the area not too many people get too preachy when they are eating, enjoying movies, attending the arts, perhaps you should change the venue you are using for meeting people... then if it still happens, you could always politely change the subject, or consider the fact that maybe; just maybe God is trying to get your attention.
Depends. If you are religious, pray to your God for some ear plugs. I don't mean to be rude about that, But i feel your pain.
If you are not religious, then just smile and nod. You won't be there forever. Gotta remember that, dude.
I'm sorry you're so annoyed. = \
Listen more and talk less.
Edit: Oops, I thought it was you who turn the conversation into a sermon.
You gotta be assertive. Say things like ''Okay that's interesting, but I have other things to do right now.'' Or, try to change the subject.
If you don't like the preaching maybe say you don't mind a healthy debate where everyone's side is accounted for fairly, or I don't want to discuss it works well too.
Smile politely, nod at them, whilst the entire time they talk be rocking out to ';Born In The USA'; in your head. If that doesn't work simply point behind them and when they turn around walk away.
Wear a Bad Religion shirt. Learn up on anti-theist arguments. Walk around proclaiming you are the son of God.
You could make friends of religious backgrounds and just be friends, do things that friends would do together. Like maybe go out for lunch. I hope you can understand each other.
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