Expert: Aupmanyav - 6/27/2010

Question
To start off, I am an atheist, but my family is pretty religious and my sister is verging on extremes. It worries me that she is living in her own little world and believes that all non-believers need to be saved or punished. She does not know that I am an atheist but am pretty sure that she knows I don't believe in god. I recently read something she wrote in her journal to God and it was something along the lines of "I wish to be taken away from this Earth and into your heavenly gates, no one understands me." I felt horrible reading that, but at the same time it is definitely very difficult to relate or speak to her. I want her to enjoy her life, and not waste it. I also want to have a good relationship with her, but this is very hard to do as she is constantly judging me. What do I do?

Answer
Dear Regina,

She seems to be lonely. What is she doing now? Studying? What about her friends? What kind of things interest her? She could possibly join a charity organization helping poor, ill, etc. That is (for her) God's work. Perhaps that would make a change. With best regards,

Yours sincerely,

Aupmanyav