I am an athiest and need to tell my Christian friend to reduce her God references........

[PosieParker]

I have a lovely lady who babysits for me and does a little ironing for me. She's a devout Christian and knows that i have no faith. I have been very kind and told her that faith is a truly wonderful thing for her, etc. However her references to 'The Lord', 'Jesus Christ our Saviour' 'I'll pray for you, for your car, that it doesn't rain' (not worthy prayers if you ask me) what you need is the cleansing of Christ', plus her pro life views and her belief in evangelist healings (I am very sceptical of these and think they're all con artists) PHEW, rant over.
Anyway how do I tell her that I find her constant referal to her religion quite offensive and feel she ramming her views down my throat. I don;t want ot offend her but feel she completely disregards the fact that I do not believe in God.
Do i have to just grin and bare it??

Cory - why would you ask if it was OK to pray for them?

There's no reasoning with them imho. Either ignore it or get a new baby sitter.

get a different babysitter, or grin and bear it.

TheFallenMadonna on Sun 11-May-08 17:12:34
"Cory - why would you ask if it was OK to pray for them?"

Only if I thought they might feel comforted by the thought that someone was praying for them? Some people do. Not about waiting for permission as such.

OK

If you feel that strongly about it, I would say something. Tell her it makes you feel uncomfortable. If she reacts like "i'm sorry, didn't mean to" that's one thing, it shows she can be reasonable. If she says something like "not knowing God is making you feel uncomfortable", then you know you've got a real Godbotherer on your hands, and run for the hills

I've offered to pray for people before now, but usually say that I hope they're not offended by it. If they say they are, I'd not mention it again. But I'd never go on and on about it, whatever the circumstances.
Some people DO find it comforting even if they say they don't have any faith.

riven-thats what alot of the catholics were like on the happy-clappy camps i used to go to as a teenager.('you will burn in hell if you haveimpure thought 'blah blah blah)

i thought father ted was a documetary series the first time i saw it.

Take her ironing, babysitting and slightly OTT evangelising - or don't take any of it, ie don't ask her to yor house to do these things. I don't think you are likely to change her. Has it occurred to you that she might find your lack of godly references and general viewpoint on the world offensive too?

I agree with Provincial Lady. It seems you must either get rid of her or put up with it. Tell her that, thanks, you don't believe, and let it run off your back, change the subject; but she sounds happy/thick-skinned - from my own experience I don't think she'll drop it.

Of course, you could always go along to her church & see if there is anything to it after all

Sorry. Couldn't resist.