Thanks for the insightful post, Nicaenum! With my family, they say the bible is a "book of myths and fairy tales" and they don't want to follow God because "nobody's gonna tell them what to do!" Some of them have actually laughed in my face because I believe in Jesus. I realize that Satan is behind some of this, and some of this is of their own choosing. But, it's hard to listen to when-ever I see them, so I keep that time limited.
I realize that praying may be the only thing I can do to help them. I have noted a few times that their steadfast belief in science as their "save all" solution has flaws to it because science changes a lot and the Word is the same always. (That usually quiets them down when they're all ganging up on me.)
I will continue to pray for them anyway.
Thanks again and God Bless,
C J
Prayer is always helpful, of course. One bit of advice I would give is to highlight the union of science and faith, not the pretend chasm that, in reality, does not exist. Talking about science fluctuating or being unreliable is a quick way to lose the atheist's attention quickly. Science is supposed to fluctuate, to change, to be honed. Science is a gift from God, not an enemy. I would highlight the Christian history of science, mathematics, rationalism and even humanism (Christian humanism of course, not the reductive materialist brand promulgated today).
Highlight the idea that Christian theism is a wonderful basis for science. If the world is not sacred (in a pantheistic/pagan-esque way) then we can experiment on it. If nature has the force of creation behind it, then we can understand it because it is intelligible. Christian faith is a foundation for science and mathematics, not a hammer-blow to it.
__________________ "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." -John 1:5
"These two words, 'grace' and 'peace,' contain a summary of all of Christianity." -Martin Luther, lectures on Galatians
I did tell them that they should read Genesis because it accurately describes the creation of a round world with an atmosphere. But, they refuse to read the bible because it's "too complicated" or "it's a myth". How they can criticize something they know nothing about, I don't know. You'd think as scientists, they'd see the logic of that.
I'm not anti-science, I just don't believe that science is the answer to everything the way they do. They think that your life can ONLY be improved through science. To them, God is a myth because humans (scientists, in particular) as so much smarter than everyone else--and since scientists haven't proven God exists, then He doesn't. It's a form of arrogance that blinds them to the beauty of humility that is a gift of God.
Thanks for the advise. If I could get them to read the bible, it would help a lot because they would see that it has the Truth in it regarding everything--including science related topics.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.(Galatians 2:20)
I did tell them that they should read Genesis because it accurately describes the creation of a round world with an atmosphere. But, they refuse to read the bible because it's "too complicated" or "it's a myth". How they can criticize something they know nothing about, I don't know. You'd think as scientists, they'd see the logic of that.
I'm not anti-science, I just don't believe that science is the answer to everything the way they do. They think that your life can ONLY be improved through science. To them, God is a myth because humans (scientists, in particular) as so much smarter than everyone else--and since scientists haven't proven God exists, then He doesn't. It's a form of arrogance that blinds them to the beauty of humility that is a gift of God.
Thanks for the advise. If I could get them to read the bible, it would help a lot because they would see that it has the Truth in it regarding everything--including science related topics.
I actually don't think the Bible is full of scientific truths. That shouldn't bother anyone. It isn't a science book. I really think a lot of atheists are just being silly when they want the Bible to explain science in detail. That's not its purpose. I don't go to science books for poetry, for inspirational novels, or anything else. And I certainly don't go to science books for philosophy, either. Science is an amoral search for physical truth. These atheists are thinking that science is somehow beyond that now and can actually answer moral and ethical questions. Look at Sam Harris' book The Moral Landscape. Even his atheist friends tore it to shreds over trying to pull an is from an ought and saying that science is now the sole owner of moral and ethical truth.
__________________ "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." -John 1:5
"These two words, 'grace' and 'peace,' contain a summary of all of Christianity." -Martin Luther, lectures on Galatians
Lee Stroebel was a former atheist - and set out on a journey to prove, yes prove, that there was no such thing as God, Christ, or spirituality in general. He was quite adamant about this. But the more he researched linguistics, quantum physics, history, archaeology, he came to the conclusion there is a God and a Christ. His approach was the approach of an atheist: using logic and reason to arrive at this conculsion and he uses his research and books in the same manner. He is now a Christian! Lots of material written by him.
I ventured into eastern philosophies and the New Age movement. I started believing in stuff that wasn't Christian at all. But all of it felt so hollow after awhile, and I eventually became an atheist. It took a chance of faith in Christ to place all my troubles in His hands and for that one moment I could actually feel His presence in the room. That was it. I was back home with Christ and I came back home to my Catholic faith. It was like coming home again. There is always hope.
__________________ "Let nothing disturb thee; Let nothing dismay thee; All thing pass;
God never changes. Patience attains All that it strives for.
He who has God finds he lacks nothing: God alone suffices."
- St. Teresa of Avila
St. Dymphna, our hero in depression and mental health, send us a prayer ...
As a former atheist, I can say, that close to 100% of the time, atheists are just too ignorant to study the bible or even take it seriously. It was only when I started to give Catholicism a chance did I then began to have faith in God and the Church.
Nicaenum,
I meant science, like the way the world was created and archeology. I don't understand how some scientists can believe the archeological evidence of Jesus' time, yet not believe the bible when it talks of all these things. And the creation of the earth--the order of the way it was created is so accurate, yet atheists deny it.
I'll check out that book. I have a doctor who is a Christian, and he still struggles with the omnipotence of God. He still clings to science as a way to explain everything. But, he's trying really hard to learn more about Christianity, so I'm happy for him. I don't think it's one or the other. But, atheist who rely on science exclusively are putting their lives into a man-based realm. Since Christianity is God-based, the two may clash. But, I don't feel they HAVE to clash. Like my doctor's trying to do, they can coexist peacefully as long as the person realizes that God is the creator of all and our guide to salvation. And at least my doctor is trying to learn by attending a church and reading the bible. That's more than my relatives are trying to do.
Thanks again & God Bless,
C J
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.(Galatians 2:20)
Chrystal, I understand how you can get frustrated. It's just the natural course of some human lives. I never thought I could ever be a theist again after having rejected Christ. When it happened though...it happened. The fullness and richness of Christianity has to work on someone for a while. It takes pondering, praying, failed attempts, angry tirades, crying, and many other things. Each person's path is different.
Winter, I would be careful with Lee's books. I respect him and all, but in the atheist circles I traveled in he was the least effective apologist of the bunch. When we're dealing with a really materialistic, New Atheist type, I try to recommend Plantinga. It seems to have better success. But that's just personal experience, all anecdotal.
__________________ "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." -John 1:5
"These two words, 'grace' and 'peace,' contain a summary of all of Christianity." -Martin Luther, lectures on Galatians
Chrystal, I understand how you can get frustrated. It's just the natural course of some human lives. I never thought I could ever be a theist again after having rejected Christ. When it happened though...it happened. The fullness and richness of Christianity has to work on someone for a while. It takes pondering, praying, failed attempts, angry tirades, crying, and many other things. Each person's path is different.
Winter, I would be careful with Lee's books. I respect him and all, but in the atheist circles I traveled in he was the least effective apologist of the bunch. When we're dealing with a really materialistic, New Atheist type, I try to recommend Plantinga. It seems to have better success. But that's just personal experience, all anecdotal.
Amen, brother! I too used to be big into atheism. I was into existentialism, nihilism, secular humanism and so on. I even delved into the occult - such as wicca, buddhism - I even read the Satanic Bible (which claims that Satan is merely an archetype not a real creation - how wrong they are). It's good to see a former atheist besides myself here.
I even read the Satanic Bible (which claims that Satan is merely an archetype not a real creation - how wrong they are). It's good to see a former atheist besides myself here.
I've heard that Satanists are atheists who think there is no God or devil. You just have to do what-ever is pleasant to you. And you do onto others as they do onto you (good or bad).
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.(Galatians 2:20)
Linear Mode
