NationStates Jolt Archive

My good friend is an athiest. I am a devout Episcopalian.

There is a boy in our school (We shall call him... Bob-Joe-Frank) who has decided that because my friend is an Athiest, she is evil. He refuses to speak to her during group work, doesn't work with the group, and beats on her mentally. I don't know if it fazes her, but I get torn apart watching someone who was once my friend attack my good friend's beliefs.

And our school is strict. You have to call home if you say crap. So why are our teachers saying damn...?

Off topic.

Anyways, I really do need to know what I'm supposed to do when I see him attacking my friend's beliefs. I don't know what to believe right now, because she has legitimate arguments for why she's an athiest, and I was raised an Episcopalian.

And this boy is starting to turn to me and accuse me of being a Satanist. Our school has strict rules regarding religion, but no one believes me when I say that he's attacking our beliefs.

Please help me! I know that you guys are good people here, and a very multicultural group.

The boy is an idiot and should be treated (ignored) as such.
Really, how would you imagine if a young immature boy was going around calling you and your friend "a big smelly"? Same thing.

My good friend is an athiest. I am a devout Episcopalian.

There is a boy in our school (We shall call him... Bob-Joe-Frank) who has decided that because my friend is an Athiest, she is evil. He refuses to speak to her during group work, doesn't work with the group, and beats on her mentally. I don't know if it fazes her, but I get torn apart watching someone who was once my friend attack my good friend's beliefs.
How does he "beat her mentally?"

One really good comeback to this sort of idiocy is to simply say, "Why, what a wonderfully Christian thing to say!" Then let him think about it. :)

I can see it now. He will look at me like: :eek:

I can see it now. He will look at me like: :eek:
:D

That's the result of evolution, diversity.

I never really understood the point of God that you shall only find salvation by or committing not a single sin in your live or believing that Jesus sacrificed himself for you. Your friend has not achieved any and thus is the property of matchbox now thus evil.

I don't really believe in 'good' and 'evil'. People act, and some people act very much not like others do thus they are branded as evil.

We're a social species, we feel the need to be part of something, to make rules.

It may be easier to just sit back and watch it happen, but as her friend you should say something. Don't just call him a dick and ignore him, you have to in a way fight fire with fire.

If we wants to bash her mentality, then confront him and ask him exactly why he is right and she is wrong, make him support his ideas whenever he says something. this will slowly condition him to think that before he starts to bash her he will have to come up with a supporting argument before he does.

With this 2 things will happen: first he probably will not bash her as often, and secondly may allow him to see it from another view, which may curb his stupidity.

Now the problem with my idea is it would be hard for you to do this, as in it could comprimise your friendship with the religious person, and secondly it is easy for him to just ignore you and be stupid.

But in the end it is up to you, I would advise atleast making sure that his claims are valid, and supporting your atheist friend to provide a rebuttle.

Problem with this is that he is probably a hard-core religious person if he is going around bashin her, which would mean that no matter what is said he would not take any notice.

Finally just tell him to not be stupid and try to co-operate, because if he is being useless during a group-project he will be givin a useless mark on the assignment. and if he values his mark he will attempt to be mre helpfull.

finally...er... remind him that christianity is supposed to preach tolerance and that what he is doing is not very christian of him.

My good friend is an athiest. I am a devout Episcopalian.

There is a boy in our school (We shall call him... Bob-Joe-Frank) who has decided that because my friend is an Athiest, she is evil. He refuses to speak to her during group work, doesn't work with the group, and beats on her mentally. I don't know if it fazes her, but I get torn apart watching someone who was once my friend attack my good friend's beliefs.

And our school is strict. You have to call home if you say crap. So why are our teachers saying damn...?

Off topic.

Anyways, I really do need to know what I'm supposed to do when I see him attacking my friend's beliefs. I don't know what to believe right now, because she has legitimate arguments for why she's an athiest, and I was raised an Episcopalian.

And this boy is starting to turn to me and accuse me of being a Satanist. Our school has strict rules regarding religion, but no one believes me when I say that he's attacking our beliefs.

Please help me! I know that you guys are good people here, and a very multicultural group.

I think this is the real problem. While debate should be encouraged, incessant nagging is harrassment, plain and simple. If your school won't listen to you then get your parents to talk to them. You and your friend are being harrassed and bullied, and it is your teachers' job to protect you.

Now I'm an Atheist Catholic*, so I can come at this from both sides. use the Hypocrates method. It goes like this: You ask a question, then make him defend the response, then question his justification of the response, then question the justification of his justification and so on. The end goal is to make him cantradict something he's already said, without ever raising a counter-arguement yourself. Thus logic trumps reason and you can not only have fun, you can confuse his entire belief system (or most of it) in one conversation.

Either that or kick him in the gonads.


*I'm aware of the hypocracy and don't care :p

Well if it were me, I’d just sit back and do nothing, probably laugh at the things they do to each other. I sure as hell wouldn’t go whining to the teachers.

Either that or kick him in the gonads.



;) Definetly, A good kick to the nuts, and once hes on the ground lift up his arm and kick him in the armpit [ tons of nerves, hurts like a bitch ] spit on him and sit back while the teachers freak. If they try anything against you, just say he was harrassing you and your friend on your beliefs, theyve done nothing and you took it into your hands, then use the method Rotovia posted, then laugh like crazy ;) :)

;) Definetly, A good kick to the nuts, and once hes on the ground lift up his arm and kick him in the armpit [ tons of nerves, hurts like a bitch ] spit on him and sit back while the teachers freak. If they try anything against you, just say he was harrassing you and your friend on your beliefs, theyve done nothing and you took it into your hands, then use the method Rotovia posted, then laugh like crazy ;) :)
This is sound advice of Dr Phil proportions.

Talk with your teachers, and I mean, really talk with them. Tell them what he's saying, when, and so on. If your teachers aren't listening, go to the office. Failing that, bring in your parents for support.

But make sure you tell them exactly what he's said, how often and when, being vaugue and hoping the teacher 'get's' it isn't going to provoke a reaction. It would also help if your friend also complained.

In other words, think of it like asking for Mod action on the forums, just saying so-and-so is a meanie and is flaming isn't going to get a good reaction, or any action, out of the Mods. ;)

And now, for some bad advice.


Others have suggested violence, but clearly, thats not the answer.
A quick, and violent display of violence, now thats the answer.
The next time he does it, quickly stand up, camly walk over to him, while he is seated, and put your foot directly into his foul gob.

After wich, not only will be hurt, surprised, and frightened, you will also have his undivided attention.
Inform him that if he ever chooses to continue hs actions of douchebaggery, you will continue to hurt and humiliate him in public.

Now, this would be the absolute worst actions you could take, and wil land you in some trouble, perhaps a suspension for a few days from school.
However, chances are that this kid will never bother you again.
In fact, I'll bet this guy never bullies anyone else.
Ever.

who has decided that because my friend is an Athiest, she is evil

Kill him, eat his meat, and wear his skin.

That'll learn him.

Kill him, eat his meat, and wear his skin.

That'll learn him.
I second this motion. Make sure to wear the skin everyday as a warning to others. You'll get no more shit again.

Kill him, eat his meat, and wear his skin.

That'll learn him.

Wow, I think we have the same hobby.

Kill him, eat his meat, and wear his skin.

That'll learn him.

With an axe

My good friend is an athiest. I am a devout Episcopalian.

There is a boy in our school (We shall call him... Bob-Joe-Frank) who has decided that because my friend is an Athiest, she is evil. He refuses to speak to her during group work, doesn't work with the group, and beats on her mentally. I don't know if it fazes her, but I get torn apart watching someone who was once my friend attack my good friend's beliefs.

And our school is strict. You have to call home if you say crap. So why are our teachers saying damn...?

Off topic.

Anyways, I really do need to know what I'm supposed to do when I see him attacking my friend's beliefs. I don't know what to believe right now, because she has legitimate arguments for why she's an athiest, and I was raised an Episcopalian.

And this boy is starting to turn to me and accuse me of being a Satanist. Our school has strict rules regarding religion, but no one believes me when I say that he's attacking our beliefs.

Please help me! I know that you guys are good people here, and a very multicultural group.

Just a question, does she care at all? It is admirable you care, and yet if she doesn't, it probably isn't worth your effort.

If she does, make his life a living hell, try some of the anarchist's cookbook's ideas, they are frightfully funny at times :p

If I was going to your school, they would have already called my parents.

Now I'm an Atheist Catholic*, so I can come at this from both sides. use the Hypocrates method. It goes like this: You ask a question, then make him defend the response, then question his justification of the response, then question the justification of his justification and so on. The end goal is to make him cantradict something he's already said, without ever raising a counter-arguement yourself. Thus logic trumps reason and you can not only have fun, you can confuse his entire belief system (or most of it) in one conversation.



Random correction it's actually Socrates that used that method, eventually the Athenians got so annoyed with it, they made him drink poison

if it is keeping you from getting your group assignment finished, if it is constant, and if it is causing your friend distress....


bring in one of those micro recorders when he is going off on her, record it, and play it to your parents. tell them you have gotten no help from your teachers

theyll take it from there.

Random correction it's actually Socrates that used that method, eventually the Athenians got so annoyed with it, they made him drink poison


The Athenians didn't make Socrates drink poison. His students gave it to him to drink the day before his public execution. So he would die with them.

My good friend is an athiest. I am a devout Episcopalian.

There is a boy in our school (We shall call him... Bob-Joe-Frank) who has decided that because my friend is an Athiest, she is evil. He refuses to speak to her during group work, doesn't work with the group, and beats on her mentally. I don't know if it fazes her, but I get torn apart watching someone who was once my friend attack my good friend's beliefs.

And our school is strict. You have to call home if you say crap. So why are our teachers saying damn...?

Off topic.

Anyways, I really do need to know what I'm supposed to do when I see him attacking my friend's beliefs. I don't know what to believe right now, because she has legitimate arguments for why she's an athiest, and I was raised an Episcopalian.

And this boy is starting to turn to me and accuse me of being a Satanist. Our school has strict rules regarding religion, but no one believes me when I say that he's attacking our beliefs.

Please help me! I know that you guys are good people here, and a very multicultural group.

if you are an episcopalian, you likely believe in the Holy Trinity, salvation through Jesus' blood on the cross, etc.

your friend does not believe either of those things (if she is atheist as you say she is)

that's fine.

tell the pressurer to bugger off (as the brits might say.. i'm so proud of myself for using a british phrase!)

One of my best friends is an Athiest, I was raised Catholic!
I don't believe in religion anymore cuz of certain things the Catholic Church has done or covered up in the name of the Catholic Church and religion.

The guy who's giving your friend shit is an idiot, a brainwashed idiot at that. He's obviously religious, hence calling her "evil" but what he is doing is against his very own beliefs, ridiculing someone for their beliefs

This boy sounds like a troll on NS. Therefore you should manipulate his weaknesses.

Debate with him, ask him to justify his beliefs et cetera. Tape this. If he starts insulting you and your Atheist friend, take this evidence to the teachers.

If he doesn't, and you win the debate, then celebrate.

Or you could just tape his statements without the debate part. But the debate may mean he stops his actions without you having to go to the teachers.

If your friend is really a Christian, approach him as a fellow believer and talk scripture with him. Quote him Romans 13:9-10
The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Like I said, if your friend is a Christian and you do this in love, it should at least make him think about his actions and their consequences. If this doesn't stop the behavior, I'm a big fan of the tape-recorder idea put forward by several others.

Also, don't give up your faith on account of your friend (either of them). You know why you're a Christian; you know how faithful Jesus has been to you. Your friend can be an atheist if she wants, it's her decision, but don't let her doubts or your other friend's decidedly un-Christ-like behavior detract from the truth of God in your life. Oh, and don't kick this guy in the junk, that's not very Christ-like, either.

Olara']If your friend is really a Christian, approach him as a fellow believer and talk scripture with him. Quote him Romans 13:9-10

Like I said, if your friend is a Christian and you do this in love, it should at least make him think about his actions and their consequences. If this doesn't stop the behavior, I'm a big fan of the tape-recorder idea put forward by several others. Oh, and don't kick him in the junk, that's not very Christ-like, either. Seconded. Also try "For ALL have fallen short of the glory of God" and "Judge not, lest ye be likewise judged".

Kill him, eat his meat, and wear his skin.

That'll learn him.

damn right, and send me some meat.

My good friend is an athiest. I am a devout Episcopalian.

There is a boy in our school (We shall call him... Bob-Joe-Frank) who has decided that because my friend is an Athiest, she is evil. He refuses to speak to her during group work, doesn't work with the group, and beats on her mentally. I don't know if it fazes her, but I get torn apart watching someone who was once my friend attack my good friend's beliefs.
Don't stand by and do nothing, just because he doesn't agree doesn't mean that he has the right to attack.
Talk to him privately and tell him that it is unacceptable and that you won't stand for it any longer, and if he continues after that then stand up for your friend.


Anyways, I really do need to know what I'm supposed to do when I see him attacking my friend's beliefs. I don't know what to believe right now, because she has legitimate arguments for why she's an athiest, and I was raised an Episcopalian.

And this boy is starting to turn to me and accuse me of being a Satanist. Our school has strict rules regarding religion, but no one believes me when I say that he's attacking our beliefs.

Please help me! I know that you guys are good people here, and a very multicultural group.
If you are questioning your faith, come up with a list of questions, and ask your minister about them, if you don't like his answers then you have some thinking to do, if you do like his answers then continue to think about it anyway. Don't let anyone pressure you into believing anything, look it up, and figure it out for yourself. If after a lot of thought you decide to stick with how you were raised, tell your friend that you can debate with her all she wants but attacking the other's beliefs will be off limits.

If this guy is really doing all this(and I believe he probably is) he may need someone to help him re-channel his anger, ask him why he is doing this, if he says that it is because she isn't a Christian, or that you are questioning your faith, ask him what his goal is with this type of behavior, because it isn't going to be a successful conversion tool, if anything it is going to push both of you away.

That is my best Christian advice. Others may not agree with me, but hey that's okay. ;)

Hey, you will tell us how all this ends up right? If you don't want to start a new thread or gravedig this one, please send me a TG.

EDIT: Woo! Galaxian Warrior!