Ask Amy: Kindly atheist just wants to say ‘no’
Dear Amy: I am an atheist. I believe in practicing kindness and respect for other people’s views.
In recent years, I have been working on becoming more honest about religious activities I would prefer not to attend. (These ceremonies make me very uncomfortable.)
I used to tell lies to preserve the feelings of people I love when I didn’t want to attend a baptism or other religious event (I’ve also attended many and have been very uncomfortable).
Now that I’m in my 50s, I want to be more honest.
A friend invited me to attend her twins’ Bar-Mitzvahs. This is a tough one.
I am not particularly close to these twins, but the mother’s friendship means a great deal to me.
I really don’t want to attend the ceremony, but I don’t want to hurt her feelings either.
Can you think of an honest but very kind way to bow out respectfully?
I’d rather send a gift and thoughtful note acknowledging the milestone.
This friend is likely to ask me why I am not going, and I am leaning toward giving her a more honest answer *because* our friendship (I hope) is strong and I think it would feel more respectful to have her know the truth if I can do it kindly. I value your input!
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