What do you say to an atheist?

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resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#42
Dec 19, 2009
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#42
aspen said:
I agree with Dread_Zeppelin in the sense that it's counterproductive to try and open a dialogue with an atheist when it is clear they are not receptive to hearing from you on the topic.

I have seen situations on this website and in daily life when people have done it anyway and when they've made the person angry they've then responded with what seems to be a standard reply 'I tell you the truth and that is how I help you', and that logic seems to shield them from seeing they have just pushed someone further away from the faith, there are times when speaking can do more damage, regardless of what you are saying.

In many cases atheists are arrogant in their belief because allowing themselves to consider the possibility means opening up to so many things that were never an issue, anyone formerly of that view can understand that massive change follows and many atheists disbelieve simply out of fear of facing up to who have they been.

As many people know fear can cause harsh reaction because it is a defense mechanism, so we need to realize that coming at atheists in such a direct manner will only make them push back and it can provide affirmation for them.

It is tempting to take the direct root and act now so not to waste time but so many people who have gone from atheism to a strong faith look back on their lives and see how separate events contributed to them turning to faith and away from their former, often destructive life, and so without those events they may not have found their way, it is sometimes best to allow people to continue making mistakes and just be there for them as we all need to experience these things for ourselves to truly understand.

Some people will hear the word of God and have a moment of revelation, others come to faith over time after learning, as a Christian one of the great challenges is to find the right approach for the right person so I would say there is no one way to approach or deal with atheists, just get to know them and you will get to know what kind of help it is they need.....see them as a person...not a project.

Great Post!
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Yes, we shouldn’t open the subject of atheism, but if THEY do, and we feel led by the Lord to express an opinion, then why shouldn’t we?

People are introducing themselves, in the new members forum, as atheists. Are we to ignore that, or is this an opportunity to express an opinion? If they didn’t want to know what we were thinking, why did they come here?
 
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oopsies

Guest
#43
#43
resurrection33 said:
I should have made it clear when I introduced the thread that I was referring to atheists who “proclaim” they are atheists, as if soliciting a reaction from us. I don’t believe we should hunt down known atheists and proselytize to them. It could be interesting, but probably not constructive.
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Oh, I would ignore them then. It's like saying that certain individuals are picking a fight. You can respond and entertain them. But if you do that, they would've accomplished their goal - which is to pick a fight. Or you can walk away. It's like watching a bully fight no one in a schoolyard because everyone walks away.
 
resurrection33

resurrection33

Banned
#44
Dec 19, 2009
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#44
oopsies said:
Oh, I would ignore them then. It's like saying that certain individuals are picking a fight. You can respond and entertain them. But if you do that, they would've accomplished their goal - which is to pick a fight. Or you can walk away. It's like watching a bully fight no one in a schoolyard because everyone walks away.
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Yes, but several people recently have introduced themselves as atheists in the new members forum. It seems to me there is nothing wrong with sharing my thoughts with them. Why did they come here if they didn’t want to hear our thoughts?
 
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oopsies

Guest
#45
#45
resurrection33 said:
Yes, but several people recently have introduced themselves as atheists in the new members forum. It seems to me there is nothing wrong with sharing my thoughts with them. Why did they come here if they didn’t want to hear our thoughts?
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Ooooh, well that changes things then. I thought you meant on the street or something.

Well, I wouldn't do anything. Just behave like you would outside of the forum unless of course, you're a terrible person in real life. In that case, then I would say, stay away lol ;)

If they bring up the topic or join these other topics, then that's when it's ok for you to discuss the faith. Otherwise, I wouldn't go up to them and say, "Hi! My name is ressurection33! Welcome to CC! By the way, do you know that Jesus loves you?"
 
S

SeekSolace

Guest
#46
#46
What would Jesus do?
 
MahogonySnail

MahogonySnail

Banned
#48
Jan 8, 2009
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#48
Jesus would not force himself upon anyone, he was celibate.
 
VW

VW

Banned
#53
Dec 22, 2009
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#53
oopsies said:
tends to be?
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Her sarcasm is light enough that it took me a while to catch it. I really thought she was posting without it for a while. Sarcasm has its place. God's creation is a little ironic, don't you think?

I believe that atheists are more honest than most people. That is, true atheists. Still condemned, but honestly doubting what the cannot see. Agnostics are a little harder to take. And then there are the christians who have not meet the Lord.

And in this order, they are harder to witness to.

Oh, there is one last group, of which I meet one just the other night at work. This is one who believes the bible, but does not believe in God. Thankfully, I have not meet many of these people. I am not sure just how one comes to this kind of belief.

In His peace

brother,
 
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imoss

Banned
#54
Feb 27, 2007
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#54
heehee... Ok, guys, here's how you know... the name of the girl is in pink and the name of the guy is in blue. Shesnail ;0)
 
K

karuna

Guest
#55
#55
resurrection33 said:
Why did they come here if they didn’t want to hear our thoughts?
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I think this is a key question.

Some are here because they've never felt they've had a voice and want a representative of Christianity to know their thoughts on the matter. Christians may argue, correctly or not, that the whole should not be held accountable for the individual, but it's easy to see one Christian as a proxy for another. In other words, the reason an atheist is here might be intensely personal yet played out among strangers. They might be saying to you what they wish they'd been able to say to someone else. This doesn't mean that their emotions are invalid - just that they're misdirected.

Others, because they seek to understand a paradox. To put it bluntly, most atheists know that most Christians are not, in fact, stupid, but believe things that seem to be stupid. A Christian shouldn't be surprised or insulted:

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
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How do you deal with this? Personally, I think it'd do the atheist well to know that the Christian is otherwise sane. You can't force the gospel to make sense, but a lot of people try so hard they end up appearing unhinged. It's a great message, to show that your average Christian is, in fact, mentally healthy.
 
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SeekSolace

Guest
#56
#56
Jesus forced Himeself on us all at Gethsemene and turned His back on no one.

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory"

I think what I hear people saying is they seek a way to approach the atheist that isn't counter-productive. I think we have to be careful not to hide the light of Christ for fear of "offending" or angering someone.

"If the world hate you, you know that it hated me before it hated you."
 
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oopsies

Guest
#57
#57
imoss said:
heehee... Ok, guys, here's how you know... the name of the girl is in pink and the name of the guy is in blue. Shesnail ;0)
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I must say, snail being grouped with me under the he-she category... at least I don't feel so alone lol
 
I

imoss

Banned
#58
Feb 27, 2007
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#58
at first many thought i was a guy cause of my nic... I was happy when they changed it so they showed up as pink or blue.
 
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