I could point out that, practically speaking, this is a very ineffective tactic. When I was 16 years old, I realized I no longer believed in God. I did not choose to not believe, I just didn’t.

Over the decades since, many Christians have suggested to me that I’m denying what I know deep inside to be true.

I realize they probably believe that, but I really do know my own mind. I understand my internal struggles with faith and the lack of it, because I’m the one experiencing it.

Some Christians tell me I’m rebelling against God or religion because I’m gay. That’s not true, even though being gay precipitated some of my thoughts about faith.

I could easily choose to worship with an LGBTQ-affirming church if I wanted to do that. LGBTQ-affirming Christians are some of the most lovely people in the world. Nothing keeps me from practicing Christianity other than my deep-seated disbelief in God, which is a real thing and not something I’m pretending about — to myself or to anyone else.

Far be it from me to instruct people in evangelism tactics, lol, but when Christians suggest to me that I don’t know my own mind, I’m not particularly inclined to pay them much attention.

Personally, I’d recommend some other approach.