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thakil comments on Recent de-convert saturated by religious community; advice? - Less Wrong Discussion
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One on one conversation is a really bad way to make decisions on belief. If someone insists on arguing belief with you, make it clear that there are a number of reasons why you doubt and are comfortable with your position and do not really want to.spend too much time discussing it. If they persist you might point out that they would probably not persist against a jewish or islamic person
Or that they would probably not appreciate someone doing the same thing to them.
Great, simple, suggestion. Perhaps I've been running imaginary and overly-extravagant conversation paths in my head and it could be as simple as this. Perhaps this, combined with Yvain's comment (having an online/file "statement/summary" available) is the best way forward.
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."