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The most effective strategy against this is to not be religious. Being a Christian isn't about being religious but having an honest relationship with God. Just ask Him to show you the best approach for you personally; witnessing isn't a one size fits all. But probably the number one rule of thumb is don't have an attitude that you think you're better than unsaved people.
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I think everyone's online behavior is probably worse than their in-person behavior.
However, you may encounter some "atheist evangelists" out and about, harassing you live and in-person.
They don't call it evangelism, they call it "street epistemology".
They start asking you questions about "why" you believe, until they eventually hit on something you can't explain.
Then they say, "See, you don't have good reasons for your belief. Your belief is invalid. You should stop believing."
(It's like when a child keeps asking you "why", over and over, until they get you all the way back to something you can't explain.)
This sounds silly, but it's very effective, and it can be very confusing for anyone new in the faith, or anyone who hasn't studied their own faith.
(It is possible to answer all their questions, or flip the tables and begin questioning them... but these are people who aren't listening, so it's usually a waste of time.)
Yes, atheist evangelists out in streets, trying to deconstruct your faith... lovely isn't it?
: )
.
However, you may encounter some "atheist evangelists" out and about, harassing you live and in-person.
They don't call it evangelism, they call it "street epistemology".
They start asking you questions about "why" you believe, until they eventually hit on something you can't explain.
Then they say, "See, you don't have good reasons for your belief. Your belief is invalid. You should stop believing."
(It's like when a child keeps asking you "why", over and over, until they get you all the way back to something you can't explain.)
This sounds silly, but it's very effective, and it can be very confusing for anyone new in the faith, or anyone who hasn't studied their own faith.
(It is possible to answer all their questions, or flip the tables and begin questioning them... but these are people who aren't listening, so it's usually a waste of time.)
Yes, atheist evangelists out in streets, trying to deconstruct your faith... lovely isn't it?
: )
.
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Witnessing is literally showing with your life and death that your belief in Christ is stronger than your human impulse to go with the flow, as hippies call it. It's evangelism, the thing that people miss often is that like many other Christian practices, it's defined and discussed in legal terminology.
Witnessing is testifying, but it isn't just knocking on doors with pamphlets that someone else wrote that you picked up in a meeting hall and getting to argue with householders. Remember that Saint Paul was the original witness. After the death of Jesus, who was murdered by a conspiracy in the temple, he literally took his religious case to court. That was witnessing. Paul had seen a crime against the church, and he took it to the civil judiciary.
Witnessing is testifying, but it isn't just knocking on doors with pamphlets that someone else wrote that you picked up in a meeting hall and getting to argue with householders. Remember that Saint Paul was the original witness. After the death of Jesus, who was murdered by a conspiracy in the temple, he literally took his religious case to court. That was witnessing. Paul had seen a crime against the church, and he took it to the civil judiciary.
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Witnesses are called, accusers come forward. It seems that most people want to come forward to witness. They all end up being accusers.
As someone who has been called, I can testify that being overcome by the Ghost is a terrifying experience both for the witness and for those to whom he witnesses. The world hates true witnesses. John the Baptist lost his head over it.
If anyone here is ever called, be prepared.
As someone who has been called, I can testify that being overcome by the Ghost is a terrifying experience both for the witness and for those to whom he witnesses. The world hates true witnesses. John the Baptist lost his head over it.
If anyone here is ever called, be prepared.
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I tell others, I want to see you in Heaven. Let me know sometime, How to do that. After a few conversations asking them questions about themselves over coffee. I get through the Holy Spirit to lead them to Christ and help htem join a church. I ask many questions about their personality traits to know which church to call a member I know and introduce htem. When you pray for them ask Jesus and the Holy Spirit to join you.
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F
. I have one who verbally opened up yesterday rather angry at me. she asserted that she dosent believe and won’t believe because of science and said she was a bit offended because I’m allegedly rude by not respecting her beliefs. She claims so because Shes not trying to shove a science book in my face so why would I be ok sharing my beliefs . I’ve been nothing but kind to this person. I didn’t condemn. I spoke the truth as lovingly as I could when talking about Jesus and what He can do for her. To her I simply replied and asked if she understood that Christianity and science don’t have to be directly opposed and that if she was open to that I could show her how science and Christianity agree. I don’t think she wanted to hear it sadly. She told me I was being rude and still pushy . I responded that I love her and have nothing but the best of intentions for her and that I’m sorry that’s coming across as pushy. I told her I love you enough to tell you the truth even if that truth hurts a bit. At which point she cut contact. Blocked my number etc. When she does decide to contact again. How do I lovingly approach it again?
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Hello FollowingtheWay, what the Apostle Paul told us continues to (sadly) be true .. 2 Timothy 3:12 (IOW, what just happened to you while witnessing is hardly surprising). The good news is, you planted and/or watered some spiritual seeds (of truth) in her life, and now it's up to the Holy Spirit to cause them to grow. Also, it seems like you acted exactly as you should have acted as a witness towards her, so I don't believe that there is anything to change about that 
As far as what to do now, pray for the Lord to give you (and others) additional opportunities to speak to her about Him, and for the things to say to her when the opportunity arises (and, of course, keep praying for her salvation/for her to be far more receptive to the hearing of the Gospel next time, as well).
As far as what I think that you should do differently next time, you might ask her what she finds most offensive about Christianity (outside of witnessing/witnesses, that is), and let her have her say, listening carefully to everything that she has to say (no matter how harsh it may be). Then pick something out of what she tells you and help her discover what the truth actually is (by asking her questions that will help lead her to it so that she can uncover the truth for herself).
If you haven't done so, you might consider getting the book that I recommended earlier in this thread, as I believe that it can help you be better prepared for situations like this one.
Go to: https://christianchat.com/threads/ideas-for-witnessing.210559/post-5058842
Praying for you (and for her too).
God bless you!!
~Deuteronomy
As far as what to do now, pray for the Lord to give you (and others) additional opportunities to speak to her about Him, and for the things to say to her when the opportunity arises (and, of course, keep praying for her salvation/for her to be far more receptive to the hearing of the Gospel next time, as well).
As far as what I think that you should do differently next time, you might ask her what she finds most offensive about Christianity (outside of witnessing/witnesses, that is
), and let her have her say, listening carefully to everything that she has to say (no matter how harsh it may be). Then pick something out of what she tells you and help her discover what the truth actually is (by asking her questions that will help lead her to it so that she can uncover the truth for herself).If you haven't done so, you might consider getting the book that I recommended earlier in this thread, as I believe that it can help you be better prepared for situations like this one.
Go to: https://christianchat.com/threads/ideas-for-witnessing.210559/post-5058842
Praying for you (and for her too).
God bless you!!
~Deuteronomy
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i'm just going to make a comment on your 1st statement about the atheist "science" woman being offended. when i talk to catholics & atheists, nearly all of them get offended & feel they have to defend themselves. well, well, well! isn't that guilt? here it is everyone: i have never met a Christian who felt offended or had the need to defend!!!!!!!!!!! hhhhhhmmmmmmm
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It could be. It could also be good news (for them), the fact that they are still not settled about what they claim to believe, that is, and/or it could also be that the Hound of Heaven is in hot pursuit of them (or it could also be that you're just plain offensive .. just kidding brother ).
Sadly, when we talk to others about their need for the Savior, they often interpret what we're saying to mean that there is something wrong with them, as people, that we are good, and that they are bad (which, of course, isn't what we mean at all). I've found this kind of thinking to be particularly tough to get past. Then again, if someone thinks of themselves as being basically, "good", then it is highly unlikely that they would understand or even be interested in what we are trying to tell them, in that moment anyway (IOW, why they need to be saved/what they need to be saved from).
Still, seeds can be planted and/or watered for a future time when their opinion of their own, personal goodness has hopefully changed a bit.
God bless you!!
~Deuteronomy
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(or it could also be that you're just plain offensive .. just kidding brother ).Sadly, when we talk to others about their need for the Savior, they often interpret what we're saying to mean that there is something wrong with them, as people, that we are good, and that they are bad (which, of course, isn't what we mean at all). I've found this kind of thinking to be particularly tough to get past. Then again, if someone thinks of themselves as being basically, "good", then it is highly unlikely that they would understand or even be interested in what we are trying to tell them, in that moment anyway (IOW, why they need to be saved/what they need to be saved from).
Still, seeds can be planted and/or watered for a future time when their opinion of their own, personal goodness has hopefully changed a bit.
God bless you!!
~Deuteronomy
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Tell her that Nebraska Man is a well known hoax.
https://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CC/CC002.html
Introduce her to books by Old Earth Creationists, and Christian Evolutionalists. It is more important that she come to Jesus.
https://apologeticspress.org/michael-behe-no-friend-of-young-earth-creationists-2555/
https://www.conservapedia.com/Old_Earth_Creationism
https://reasons.org/explore/publica...open-to-an-old-universe-old-earth-perspective
"An overwhelming majority of scientists including most Christians working in scientific fields have concluded that the science evidence conclusively points us to the great antiquity of the earth. "
https://thenaturalhistorian.com/201...eationist-approach-to-scientific-apologetics/
"This year's GSA meeting was at the Portland Convention Center in mid-October. Geologists who are Christians actively participated, and both young-earth and old-earth creationist views were heard. Christian geologists found various ways to bring attention to their practice and faith--by leading a field trip, delivering scientific papers, assembling as the Affiliation of Christian Geologists, identifying with certain Christian academic institutions, and attending the "Darwin Day" presentation. "
https://www.icr.org/article/5043/
https://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/list.html
The Creationists: From Scientific Creationism to Intelligent Design, Expanded Edition Paperback – November 30, 2006
by Ronald L. Numbers
https://www.amazon.com/Creationists-Scientific-Creationism-Intelligent-Expanded/dp/0674023390
Designed to Evolve: Discovering God through Modern Science Kindle Edition
by Christopher S. Davis
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RZ8V7C...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
Affiliation of Christian Geologists
American Scientific Affiliation
https://network.asa3.org › blogpost › Affiliation-of-Ch...
A Workshop on Christian Climate Advocacy. 7/2/2023 » 7/7/2023. Science, Faith and Hope for the Future - Faraday Institute Summer Course. 7/8/2023
Affiliation of Christian Geologists
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com › Affiliation-of-Christian-...
Affiliation of Christian Geologists. 429 likes. Official Facebook page for the Affiliation of Christian Geologists.
A Christian geologist tells his story
GeoChristian
https://geochristian.com › 2013/03/18 › a-christian-ge...
Mar 18, 2013 — Andrew Snelling was a YEC throughout his education, and he has a Ph.D. in geology. The same can be said of Dr. John Morris and Dr. Steven Austin ...
https://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/CC/CC002.html
Introduce her to books by Old Earth Creationists, and Christian Evolutionalists. It is more important that she come to Jesus.
https://apologeticspress.org/michael-behe-no-friend-of-young-earth-creationists-2555/
https://www.conservapedia.com/Old_Earth_Creationism
https://reasons.org/explore/publica...open-to-an-old-universe-old-earth-perspective
"An overwhelming majority of scientists including most Christians working in scientific fields have concluded that the science evidence conclusively points us to the great antiquity of the earth. "
https://thenaturalhistorian.com/201...eationist-approach-to-scientific-apologetics/
"This year's GSA meeting was at the Portland Convention Center in mid-October. Geologists who are Christians actively participated, and both young-earth and old-earth creationist views were heard. Christian geologists found various ways to bring attention to their practice and faith--by leading a field trip, delivering scientific papers, assembling as the Affiliation of Christian Geologists, identifying with certain Christian academic institutions, and attending the "Darwin Day" presentation. "
https://www.icr.org/article/5043/
https://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/list.html
The Creationists: From Scientific Creationism to Intelligent Design, Expanded Edition Paperback – November 30, 2006
by Ronald L. Numbers
https://www.amazon.com/Creationists-Scientific-Creationism-Intelligent-Expanded/dp/0674023390
Designed to Evolve: Discovering God through Modern Science Kindle Edition
by Christopher S. Davis
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RZ8V7C...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
Affiliation of Christian Geologists
American Scientific Affiliation
https://network.asa3.org › blogpost › Affiliation-of-Ch...
A Workshop on Christian Climate Advocacy. 7/2/2023 » 7/7/2023. Science, Faith and Hope for the Future - Faraday Institute Summer Course. 7/8/2023
American Scientific Affiliation
https://network.asa3.org
Since 1941, the ASA has been an affiliation of Christians in the sciences engaged in interpreting, integrating, and communicating the discoveries of science ...
Affiliation of Christian Geologists
https://www.facebook.com › Affiliation-of-Christian-...
Affiliation of Christian Geologists. 429 likes. Official Facebook page for the Affiliation of Christian Geologists.
A Christian geologist tells his story
GeoChristian
https://geochristian.com › 2013/03/18 › a-christian-ge...
Mar 18, 2013 — Andrew Snelling was a YEC throughout his education, and he has a Ph.D. in geology. The same can be said of Dr. John Morris and Dr. Steven Austin ...
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