My ‘Bully’ is Trying to Convert Me to the Bible Despite My Atheism
I’m in seventh grade now, but last year during sixth grade, I had a friend in fifth grade who turned out to be a total jerk over the summer, so I decided to cut ties with him. He comes from a very conservative, Christian Nationalist family, while my own family is progressive. Most kids at my school have negative views towards the LGBT community, but I don’t share that mindset. Also, I’m an atheist, even though my family practices a religion. He would call me slurs like “faggot” and “furry” and tell me to “f*** off,” even though I’m straight. I just believe in supporting others and minding my own business, but he seems ridiculously offended by that.
One time, he yelled across the classroom, “Hey (my name), are you still gay?” I can’t even remember how I replied, but the teacher, who always says, “If you’re being bullied, come to us right away! We have a ZERO tolerance policy,” didn’t intervene at all. I spoke with my parents and the school about it, and while they initially seemed ineffective, they eventually addressed it by giving him just one detention. To their credit, that did put a stop to his behavior for the rest of the year.
Now, in seventh grade, everything was fine until the third quarter when he joined my lunch table with one of his friends—probably because his friend got moved for being disruptive. Yesterday, he casually said, “Yo, (my name), I have a book you need to check out,” and pulled out a Bible, placing it on the table. I shrugged it off, but when I was talking to a friend, he started waving the Bible in my face. I grabbed it from him and flung it back onto the table. If he pulls that stunt again on Monday, I might just toss it across the cafeteria or tear out some pages to see how he reacts.
He also has another friend who once tried to convert me to Christianity, and I quickly tore apart all of his arguments. It feels less like bullying now and more like he’s just trying to annoy me on purpose, but I’m a bit worried that the bullying could start back up again. For context, he’s shorter than me by about 5 to 8 inches, but I’m not exactly strong and definitely want to avoid any conflict. This is just a rant, but I could use some advice. Thanks!
It sounds like you’re dealing with a really frustrating situation, and it’s completely understandable to feel annoyed by this kid’s behavior. It’s great that you have already addressed the bullying in the past, and it’s important to remember that you don’t have to put up with being disrespected, even if it doesn’t feel as intense as before.
Here are some suggestions to consider:
Stay Calm and Assertive: If he brings up the Bible again or tries to provoke you, try to remain calm. You could respond with something simple like, “I’m not interested, thanks,” and then shift your focus back to your friends or your lunch. Sometimes, showing that his attempts don’t bother you can take away his power.
Set Boundaries: If he continues to annoy you, you could try talking to him directly when it’s just the two of you. You might say something like, “I don’t want to talk about religion or the Bible. Can we just leave it at that?” Setting clear boundaries can be effective.
Talk to Someone: If his behavior escalates or you feel uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted adult again—whether it’s a teacher or a parent. They can help you mediate the situation.
Avoid Reaction: It can be tempting to want to throw the Bible or rip out pages, but that might provoke him further. Instead, try to ignore his attempts to get a reaction out of you or respond in a way that doesn’t escalate the situation.
Focus on Supportive Friends: Keep surrounding yourself with friends who support you and share your views. Having a solid support system can make a big difference.
Document Incidents: If the behavior continues, it might help to keep a record of what happens for future discussions with adults or school authorities.
Remember, you have the right to be respected for who you are and what you believe. Don’t hesitate to stand up for yourself, and know that you’re not alone in facing this situation. Good luck!