Athiest's questions

[TheKringledOne]

I actually respect a lot of the street preachers. Given what they believe I think that it is a really kind thing for them to be doing. I really respect the fact that they are willing to use up so much of their time doing nothing but trying to help others.

 

[deepthought]

I think your righteous indignation is based on hypocrisy. You may not stop people on the street and tell them God is not real but you hang out here in a christian forum and in the bible study chat room, arguing your stance to Christians. So you are doing the same thing they that man did but with more tact. Right?

Christian Chat = A website for the discussion of matters biblical and spiritual. A place for debate and intellectual/spiritual reasoning.

A Pedestrianised Street = A Pathway of Public Land used by people of all ages, races and beliefs to travel between locations. The majority of which are not looking for philosophical debate or people verbally abusing them.

I'm afraid I put street preachers in the same category as charity muggers. There is a time and place for such debates, and a public right of way is not one of them.

 

[dcontroversal]

I would simply answer....When you are serious about asking or inquiring about why I believe in God or if God is real...then come ask me a question!

Should have
Would have
Could have
and What if "games" can never be or hardly ever be answered in a matter that will satisfy the atheist...

The just shall live by faith.....faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God........

concerning number 5 above.........

1. What exactly is holding up all the planets, suns, moons etc.....how is it that our earth and everything is space floats?

The word of God is spiritual in nature and origin...the natural man cannot receive and or know the word of God...even the message of salvation remains (hidden) to the majority of humanity.....to discuss if God can create a rock to big to lift is a distraction from the bigger picture and the eternal soul that is being dealt with....

You know there is one thing that most often forget or don't even realize and that is the following truth...

God is self evident and the burden of proof does not rest upon me or my ability to prove anything...If they wont believe the word of God, they will not believe me if I say that God does not need to make a rock to big to lift, when he already states that the Rocks can and will cry out if they need to bring praise unto the King if humanity looses it's voice and ability to praise the God of Heaven and Earth!

 

[Allin]

Find out if the atheist is sincere first so you don't waste your or his/her time.

I found that 'reaching atheists' usually requires a different approach. They often automatically suspect that Christians will defend their beliefs, so don't. One atheist, when he found I was a Christian, became aggressive with his accusative questions about Christians and God. When I 'discerned' that his hatred or unbelief toward God was rooted in his disappointments and perceived ill treatmentand from Christians, I said to him, "God isn't a Christian, and Christians aren't God." He went silent, because he had no argument against that and had never thought about it (nor do most of us realize it). If you approach an atheist with the intention of answering the person more than answering their questions, you have the potential of going way further and having more impact. On another note, I'm inclined to applaud atheists who are apprehensive about becoming Christians. Jesus told the Pharisees that they went out of their way to win souls but then made their converts 'twice the sons of hell' that the Pharisees were. A lot of people tend to become worse (not in actions but in character) rather than better when they become Christian because of all the implied rules of Christianity that make us basically 'above the law' (and don't forget above others). Better to wait for something real rather than throw yourself into another club, society, or organization.

Finally, a friend of mine in the military has a military friend of ten years, both officers, who told me that he was once Christian and is now atheist (just a month ago he told me). Some of his explanations included the usual: why does God let people suffer; etc. My friend took him to church once, and he fell asleep in the back. He isn't at all convinced that what they call church has God in it. He's South Korean, stoic and reserved, so he acted like he no longer cares about God. But he secretly listened in while my friend and I talked about some experiences of mine. I saw clearly that this self-proclaimed atheist secretly desires to know God but has been put off by modern Christianity with its bells, whistles, and impotence. I believe that many atheists feel just the same way: they are smart enough to not want religion. They're looking for something far more than answers to questions (they often don't even know the right questions to ask which is why I say to answer the person more than their questions); they're looking for something real.

 

[deepthought]

Find out if the atheist is sincere first so you don't waste your or his/her time.

I found that 'reaching atheists' usually requires a different approach. They often automatically suspect that Christians will defend their beliefs, so don't. One atheist, when he found I was a Christian, became aggressive with his accusative questions about Christians and God. When I 'discerned' that his hatred or unbelief toward God was rooted in his disappointments and perceived ill treatmentand from Christians, I said to him, "God isn't a Christian, and Christians aren't God." He went silent, because he had no argument against that and had never thought about it (nor do most of us realize it). If you approach an atheist with the intention of answering the person more than answering their questions, you have the potential of going way further and having more impact. On another note, I'm inclined to applaud atheists who are apprehensive about becoming Christians. Jesus told the Pharisees that they went out of their way to win souls but then made their converts 'twice the sons of hell' that the Pharisees were. A lot of people tend to become worse (not in actions but in character) rather than better when they become Christian because of all the implied rules of Christianity that make us basically 'above the law' (and don't forget above others). Better to wait for something real rather than throw yourself into another club, society, or organization.

Finally, a friend of mine in the military has a military friend of ten years, both officers, who told me that he was once Christian and is now atheist (just a month ago he told me). Some of his explanations included the usual: why does God let people suffer; etc. My friend took him to church once, and he fell asleep in the back. He isn't at all convinced that what they call church has God in it. He's South Korean, stoic and reserved, so he acted like he no longer cares about God. But he secretly listened in while my friend and I talked about some experiences of mine. I saw clearly that this self-proclaimed atheist secretly desires to know God but has been put off by modern Christianity with its bells, whistles, and impotence. I believe that many atheists feel just the same way: they are smart enough to not want religion. They're looking for something far more than answers to questions (they often don't even know the right questions to ask which is why I say to answer the person more than their questions); they're looking for something real.

Regardless of my personal opinion upon faith, can I just say, what a beautifully written post.

 

[Jda016]

Find out if the atheist is sincere first so you don't waste your or his/her time.

I found that 'reaching atheists' usually requires a different approach. They often automatically suspect that Christians will defend their beliefs, so don't. One atheist, when he found I was a Christian, became aggressive with his accusative questions about Christians and God. When I 'discerned' that his hatred or unbelief toward God was rooted in his disappointments and perceived ill treatmentand from Christians, I said to him, "God isn't a Christian, and Christians aren't God." He went silent, because he had no argument against that and had never thought about it (nor do most of us realize it). If you approach an atheist with the intention of answering the person more than answering their questions, you have the potential of going way further and having more impact. On another note, I'm inclined to applaud atheists who are apprehensive about becoming Christians. Jesus told the Pharisees that they went out of their way to win souls but then made their converts 'twice the sons of hell' that the Pharisees were. A lot of people tend to become worse (not in actions but in character) rather than better when they become Christian because of all the implied rules of Christianity that make us basically 'above the law' (and don't forget above others). Better to wait for something real rather than throw yourself into another club, society, or organization.

Finally, a friend of mine in the military has a military friend of ten years, both officers, who told me that he was once Christian and is now atheist (just a month ago he told me). Some of his explanations included the usual: why does God let people suffer; etc. My friend took him to church once, and he fell asleep in the back. He isn't at all convinced that what they call church has God in it. He's South Korean, stoic and reserved, so he acted like he no longer cares about God. But he secretly listened in while my friend and I talked about some experiences of mine. I saw clearly that this self-proclaimed atheist secretly desires to know God but has been put off by modern Christianity with its bells, whistles, and impotence. I believe that many atheists feel just the same way: they are smart enough to not want religion. They're looking for something far more than answers to questions (they often don't even know the right questions to ask which is why I say to answer the person more than their questions); they're looking for something real.

Agreed. I think Christians can end up viewing athiests as people they are suppose to win an argument with, but as Ravi Zacharias said, "You can win an argument, yet lose the person."

 

[guestno2]

1) Does God have free will?

Yes, he does have a free will. He can choose what he wants to do, fact that he choose good doesn’t mean that he cannot choose bad things to do. (and there are some examples for this, but obviously, I wouldn’t go for them in dispute with atheist)

2) If human evils must be allowed so that we can have free will, then why did God also create natural evils? (i.e., floods, disease, etc)

I see this differently, God created environment and mankind, most of catastrophes and most off disease is just natural consequences of living things, chain of causes and effects. So I don’t think, that every time when is there earthquake, volcano eruption, rain flood, influenza epidemics etc, that this is what God doing for fun. Common. Its just how our world works. Was created that way and it is natural flow of things. And if we look in our solar system, our earth is perfect, perfect, perfect. If it is something wrong, that usually our responsibility. Most of diseases are. Yes we are slowly degenerating, our mankind, gens we are transferring are increase (with every generation more and more) prone to some kind of illness …we are uglier, sicker .. but I don’t think, it is Gods responsibility, it is mostly ours. We messed it up.

3) Why are there over 30,000 Christian denominations all claiming to be the "true Christians"? Which one should I follow and why?

I don’t think, that fact, that there are many denominations are bad. I think opposite. Its good. You can choose. And almost in every denominations there are Christians, true christians who belong to real church (meaning Christ bride, that church without specific name or title, that one, which Jesus created himself).
But remind me, why would atheist want to follow or attend church?
Is it God seeking atheist? If so, I would rather “preach” her gospel. And not small talk about different kind of denomination. But if she would be interested I would briefly clarify for her differences between each churches or denominations … But I mean, isn’t it similar with political parties? Would we be so happy or is it even possible to have just one? What a question. I didn’t really never get this hunt for one happy church… so hmmmm unrealistic.. I don't recall, that I have that kind of naive atheist friends.

4) Is predestination true? If yes, then do we truly have a say in our Salvation? If not, then don't you have blind faith?

I wouldn’t speak about predestination with atheist or seeking one. Ever. Its like red rag to a bull.
(and not just for them) I would avoid this question.

5) Can God create a rock too big for Himself to lift?

Really? That’s childish and philosophical. And it is about exact same as first question, doubting if God is almighty.

6) If religion and Christianity are separate, how did religion come into Christianity?

How are they separate?

7) If Christianity is good, what about those other religions that teach the same moral conduct?

Christianity is not about being good, more about being saved and depend on God. There are so many Christian (including me) witch are not even close to be that characterful, altruist, kind, with good motives and a desire to help better than me in many ways and same time not Christians. I believe that there are many atheist with higher ethics or moral than Christians. Christianity is about relationship with God which is possible thru solely thru Jesus. So Jesus is the center. I don’t know about other religions having that. Or is there some religion who had as a center of their worshiping Jesus?

8) If God is so perfect, then why did he create something so imperfect allowing pain, suffering and daily atrocities?

Same as q 2

9) If God is omnipotent (all-powerful), why did he take six days to create everything? Why not speak everything into existence all at once?

He is creator. He likes creating things, imho. I think, that he likes process too. Why wouldn’t he enjoyed creation process? Look at our earth, so perfect in many ways and for just 6 days?

And also, the God and time is still a mystery. One day could be 1000 days in God, and vice versa. So …

This was fun. I really like your questions and this (your) thread.also sorry for my en
be blessed

 

[Brother_Don]

Read the book (bible) it is His written word to us, and be careful about taking mans word for the answers.

 

[Allin]

Thanks, deepthought. Jesus didn't come to earth for Christians or to make Christians or any exclusive religion. In His parable of 'the good Samaritan', He executed every and all notions that there's anything exclusive about Him by saying that a person's neighbor is the person who not only cares about him but the one who is also willing to go all the way with him. They say, "People don't care how much know until they know how much you care." We all want people to be that good Samaritan of a fellowman to us, but we're rarely willing to be kind or patient with others. There are many different expressions of Christianity, but if it isn't "love your neighbor as [if he was you]", then it's not the real thing. We're all generally short of that ideal which is okay; but it's great when we're aware of where we actually stand in relating to the standard that Jesus set.

 

[Allin]

Any prehistoric creature or animal can argue. It takes sense to agree. Jesus told us to agree even with an enemy who is taking us to court. That's because agreement is not necessarily saying, "You're right." It's more about principle than who's right. Agreeing is as simple as driving on the right side of the road; it doesn't mean you admire everyone driving on the same side. You're just doing it 'the right way' or the way that works. I think that when Christians find something other than ministry and 'telling others about Jesus' to live for, our lives become rich and fulfilling, and we no longer need to argue nor is our identity based on our title (Christian), what we believe, the way others see us, and what we do. We have peace and peace of mind with it.

 

[Allin]

Jda016, sorry, the below was meant to go in reply to your reply. It doesn't show my signatures nor who I'm replying to when I post from my phone, and it sounds like I'm ranting to myself! Thanks for agreeing; I was agreeing with you too--

Any prehistoric creature or animal can argue. It takes sense to agree. Jesus told us to agree even with an enemy who is taking us to court. That's because agreement is not necessarily saying, "You're right." It's more about principle than who's right. Agreeing is as simple as driving on the right side of the road; it doesn't mean you admire everyone driving on the same side. You're just doing it 'the right way' or the way that works. I think that when Christians find something other than ministry and 'telling others about Jesus' to live for, our lives become rich and fulfilling, and we no longer need to argue nor is our identity based on our title (Christian), what we believe, the way others see us, and what we do. We have peace and peace of mind with it.