Why Some People Can’t Stop Talking About Religion (and How to Handle It)

👉 If you’d rather watch the video version, you can find it here.

Do you ever find yourself around someone who just won’t stop talking about their religion?

It can be exhausting. Sometimes you want to shout, “Please — not everyone believes what you believe!”

If you’ve been in that situation, you’re not alone. In this post, I want to talk about why some people may behave this way and how you can navigate those interactions with as much calm and compassion as possible.

Why Some People Can’t Stop Talking About Their Faith

For many people, religion isn’t just a belief system — it’s their identity.

Everything about how they see themselves, how they think, and how they move through the world may be intertwined with their faith. It shapes their community, their sense of purpose, even their moral framework.

So when someone challenges or simply doesn’t share their beliefs, it can feel deeply threatening, not just to their ideas, but to who they are.

That’s often why they bring religion into every conversation. It’s not always about trying to convert you; sometimes, it’s their way of reaffirming their identity in a world that feels uncertain.

How to Navigate These Conversations

If you have someone in your life who constantly centers religion, it can help to first ask: How important is this relationship to me?

If the person matters to you — maybe they’re a family member, a friend, or someone with good intentions — it can help to remember that you probably won’t change them. Their behavior is rooted in who they are and how they find meaning.

That doesn’t mean you have to agree, or even enjoy the conversation. It just means you can choose how to engage. You might decide to:

• Gently change the subject when things start to veer toward preaching.

• Ground yourself beforehand, knowing religion might come up.

• Focus on shared humanity rather than theological differences.

  
  

But if the person is not someone you’re close too, or if the conversation consistently leaves you feeling drained, it’s perfectly okay to set boundaries.

You can say things like:

"I'd rather not talk about religion right now." "Let's switch topics. Did you see that story in the news?" Or simply walk away if that's what's healthiest for you.

It’s not rude to protect your peace.

You Don’t Have to Engage in Debate

As tempting as it may be to argue or try to convince them, it rarely helps. For someone whose faith is tied to identity, debate can actually make them double down even harder.

Remember — you don’t have to prove anything. It’s okay to let them be who they are and to decide how much energy you want to give to the interaction.

Finding Grounding and Compassion

If you’re feeling frustrated or tired of constantly navigating these conversations, take a deep breath and remind yourself: You are not alone.

Many people who’ve left religion or no longer share the beliefs of their family or community experience this same tension.

It’s possible to be kind without being consumed. To be understanding without agreeing. And to stay grounded in your own truth, even when others can’t stop talking about theirs.

💬 I’d love to hear from you. Have you found good ways to handle conversations with people who bring up religion again and again? Share your experience in the comments.

💛 Ashley

 Your secular chaplain

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