My friend, who is of Christian faith is having quite a hard time dealing with me being an Atheist. My friend believes that of course me being a Atheist ,that I am doomed to burn in hell for eternity (thanks all powerful, knowing, loving god haha) The problem being is that she has lost sleep over the topic at hand, so I really don't know what to say to her about the topic to help.
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I think it is perfectly ok to thank her for her concern and acknowledge the distress she feels. It should be reassuring to you that she cares enough about you to worry about you. We all know that her worry is unfounded but that doesn't change the reality of her distress.
I would think that simply recognizing her concern will help her feel better.
Penn Jillette says it better than me here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4a4AU9FYyc
Sorry if you have to cut and past the link.
You clearly care about your friend's distress, and that caring does you credit. While I understand wanting to help, I hope you focus on basic boundaries. This is not your problem, and you did not cause this problem. It is your friend's problem. We all have to grow and learn to accept people for who they are and accept the reality of life when it differs or conflicts with our beliefs. I'm starting to strongly suspect that this growth never ends, so it's not age-dependent by any stretch.
Her distress due to her belief that you will end up in Hell is hers to work through. Having said that, you can be a caring, supporting friend without owning her problem.
I hope this helps.
You know, it's probably not only that she is in distress at thoughts of your eternal damnation. She might also feel rejected by you because she sees you as rejecting her god. As her god is a figment of her imagination, she identifies it subconsciously as a part of her.
Just something to chew on.
While you're on the subject, posting this yet again...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j8ZMMuu7MU
Hmmm. I should have remembered that video and known I didn't think that up myself.
Yep that video is always perfect for this kind of argument.
Hope more people use it like you do Pragmatic.
Well I think I got it from you Jeff. But I don't remember any more. Too many videos circulating... :)
doesn't matter, the more people use it the better, yes too many videos
I have almost the exact same problem I know what you mean