My Ex-Friend is Pressuring Me to Read the Bible, Even Though I’m an Atheist
I’m currently in seventh grade, but last year in sixth grade, I had a friend from fifth grade who turned out to be quite unpleasant over the summer, so I decided to cut ties with him. He comes from a very conservative Christian Nationalist background, while my family holds progressive values. Most of the kids at my school have issues with the LGBT community, but I don’t share those views. I’m also an atheist, unlike the rest of my family. He often used slurs like “faggot” and called me a “furry,” even though I’m straight. It’s as if he was offended by my support for others who are different. One time, during class, he yelled across the room, “Hey (my name), are you still gay?” I don’t even remember what I said back, but the teacher, who always preached about the “ZERO tolerance policy” against bullying, did nothing.
After talking to my parents and the school, they finally addressed the situation and ended up giving him just one detention. To their credit, that did stop him from bothering me for the rest of the year. Fast forward to seventh grade, though, and everything was fine until the third quarter when he moved to my lunch table. I think his friend got moved for being disruptive or something, and now he’s just sitting with us without asking.
Yesterday, he showed up with a Bible and said, “Yo, (my name), you need to read this.” When I shrugged it off and chatted with my friends, he waved the Bible in my face. I ended up snatching it from him and tossing it back on the table. If he tries that again on Monday, I might just throw it across the cafeteria or tear out some pages to see how he reacts. This has become less about bullying and more about him trying to annoy me on purpose, but I’m worried the bullying might start up again.
For context, he’s a bit shorter than I am—about 5 to 8 inches—but I’m not very strong and I’d prefer to avoid any physical confrontations altogether. This is mostly a rant, but I could really use some advice on how to handle this. Thanks!
It sounds like you’re dealing with a really frustrating situation. It’s tough to be in a space where someone is constantly pushing their beliefs on you, especially when you’ve already set boundaries in the past. Here are a few ideas that might help you navigate this:
Stay Calm: It can be tempting to react strongly when he provokes you, but try to keep your cool. Responding with anger might escalate the situation. Instead, take a deep breath and choose how you want to reply.
Set Clear Boundaries: If you feel comfortable, you could clearly tell him that you’re not interested in discussing religion. A simple statement like, “I appreciate that you have your beliefs, but I don’t want to talk about it. Can we keep our conversations to other topics?” might help him understand your stance.
Ignore or Walk Away: Sometimes, the best response is to not give them the reaction they’re looking for. If he waves the Bible in your face again, try to ignore it and shift your focus back to your friends or other topics. If he keeps bothering you, consider moving to a different table or area.
Talk to an Adult: Since you mentioned that the school eventually addressed the bullying, it might be worth talking to a trusted teacher or counselor again about how this is making you feel. They may have suggestions or be able to intervene.
Support from Friends: Lean on your friends for support. If they see what’s happening, they might be able to help you defuse the situation or stand up for you if needed.
Stay True to Yourself: Don’t feel pressured to change your beliefs for someone else. You’re entitled to your own views, and it’s okay to stand firm in them.
It’s great that you’re thinking about how to handle this constructively. Hopefully, the situation will improve soon! Remember, you’re not alone in this, and you deserve to feel safe and respected at school.