Reaching out to atheists: what mistakes do Christians make?

[SiderealExalt]

Under the assumption that this is going to get moved so you know..the people this question is actually directed to can answer it I'll name a few things.
off the top of my head. Note this is a general "you" being used as not really being directed as a specific person or sub sect.

1. I'm not a communist and atheism does not=communism. It's really annoying when Christians make that mistake.

2. Being an atheist doesn't make you immoral or somehow lacking in morals. Don't mistake not believing in an absolute authority for moral relativism.

3. To address more specific stuff...

The love stuff is taken for wimpy passivity and you're right, they laugh
at any condemnation.

Actually Christians, it depends. Where as I or hypothetically would take love and concern from someone I personally know who is Christian as serious and not "wimpy passivity." that doesn't mean it applies to strangers. Secondly, don't make the mistake of confusing kindness for believability. I could meet the nicest most moral Christian in the world and that means absolutely nothing in regards to claims. It should be learned that these(morality and claims) are separate things to many atheists.

(However, that doesn't mean that they're guilty
conscience doesn't eat away at them even tho they mock & reject).

On this Christians, don't make the mistake of assumption that we are all guilty of from time to time. The first being, don't assume atheists have a "guilty conscience" eating away at rejecting Christianity. I can't speak for ex Christians who are now atheists, but I know for me, I've never been a part of any religion. So the idea I have some sort of medieval Judeo-Christian guilt complex eating away at me. For that matter, and I see this mistake alot. Don't either intentionally(which is REALLY rude btw) or mistakening assume that just because someone's life might not be good at the moment as being BECAUSE of their atheism.

I've seen Christians both in my personal life and in media make that false association, particularly missionaries and street preachers. It's underhanded, false and morally repugnant.

 

[one11]

Arrogance, like Zaac's, is probably is biggest problem Christians have when trying to bring the Gospel to others.

When I was a non-Christian, when someone told me I'ld go to hell for not believing, I told them to go to hell, and rightfully so. If you're going to be an idiot, you need to be told where to go.



Another ignorant assumption, that atheists are henodistic, selfish people. They have families, friends, and their own morality that actually surpasses the supposed morals of many Christians.



They are more righteous than many Christians on this forum.

I had a feeling this thread would go this way from page 1. A thread about how wonderful atheists are and how awful Christians are and that is so untrue.

Just another Christian bashing thread hidden under some supposed guise of look how loving and wonderful I am as an atheist.

 

[dewaddict84]

Overall, this is a good thread. Bump.

 

[Nadiine]

Overall, this is a good thread. Bump.

I agree it's a great topic as long as it doesn't turn into
church/Christian bashing. =)

 

[MikeMcKinney]

I think a great many Christians do a terrible job at trying to bring atheists to Christ, and that's because they tend to make sweeping generalizations about them. Once you do things like ridiculously label them all as, say, communists, you just end up pushing people away even further. When I was an atheist, I was never a "communist" nor did I have any desire to deny Christians or anyone else their religious freedom (in fact, I had no problem with voluntary school prayer).

People lose faith in God for various reasons and it's absurd to paint all of them as Madalyn Murray O'Hair clones.

I'm not sure if this area of Christian Forums was the right place to put this, but I'm putting it here because I couldn't seem to find another forum where it would fit.

The biggest mistake I believe Christians make when dealing with atheists is believing that they must make the atheist believe in God before they share the Gospel with them and believing that they can "convince" an atheist into the Kingdom of God.

 

[Hentenza]

Mod Hat On
​

Thread moved to UT from CP&E so that non Christians can participate as the OP requests.​

 

[sunlover1]

I think a great many Christians do a terrible job at trying to bring atheists to Christ, and that's because they tend to make sweeping generalizations about them. Once you do things like ridiculously label them all as, say, communists, you just end up pushing people away even further. When I was an atheist, I was never a "communist" nor did I have any desire to deny Christians or anyone else their religious freedom (in fact, I had no problem with voluntary school prayer).

People lose faith in God for various reasons and it's absurd to paint all of them as Madalyn Murray O'Hair clones.

I'm not sure if this area of Christian Forums was the right place to put this, but I'm putting it here because I couldn't seem to find another forum where it would fit.

The biggest mistake Christians make is thinking that the battle is
in words.
This battle needs to be fought spiritually, then they can give the
Words IF and when led by God.
It's God who gives the increase.

Another thing we can "do" is to be a blessing to all we meet,
actions (Jesus manifest) do speak.
What did Jesus do? How did He respond to 'sinners'?

 

[Nadiine]

The biggest mistake I believe Christians make when dealing with atheists is believing that they must make the atheist believe in God before they share the Gospel with them and believing that they can "convince" an atheist into the Kingdom of God.

there's some definite merit on that.

As the popular saying goes, if you can talk someone into conversion,
they can be talked right back out of it.

If it isn't God doing the genuine conversion, it won't last.

 

[HuntingMan]

I think a great many Christians do a terrible job at trying to bring atheists to Christ, and that's because they tend to make sweeping generalizations about them. Once you do things like ridiculously label them all as, say, communists, you just end up pushing people away even further. When I was an atheist, I was never a "communist" nor did I have any desire to deny Christians or anyone else their religious freedom (in fact, I had no problem with voluntary school prayer).

People lose faith in God for various reasons and it's absurd to paint all of them as Madalyn Murray O'Hair clones.

I'm not sure if this area of Christian Forums was the right place to put this, but I'm putting it here because I couldn't seem to find another forum where it would fit.

The first mistake a lot of believers make is in thinking that we can 'convert' someone.
Jesus says that only when the Father draws can one come to Him. So for all our efforts we really do not much of anything except what we are called to do....spread the good news of Christ and let those who will accept it do so.
We arent called to ridicule, chastise, berate, belittle or admonish atheists or any unbelievers. God alone has authority to deal with the world.
We are called to live in such a manner such as no reproach can be brought on the name of the Lord...and *IF* we are doing that it probably would be such a lifestyle that even an atheist might find some interest.

But when they see professing christians doing the things we do...living in open sin, lusting, coveting, living like kings while children starve, drunkenness....then we are to blame for not doing what WE are supposed to do.

You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God through the transgression of the law?
For "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you," just as it is written.
(Rom 2:23-24)

 

[HollandScotts]

I had a feeling this thread would go this way from page 1. A thread about how wonderful atheists are and how awful Christians are and that is so untrue.

As opposed to how it had been going with everyone bashing the atheists as unrighteous heathens to ignorant to understand Christian's attempts to reach out to them?

 

[Nadiine]

As opposed to how it had been going with everyone bashing the atheists as unrighteous heathens to ignorant to understand Christian's attempts to reach out to them?

?
I'm not sure which thread you're talking about? I went thru this thread
& I don't see any derrogatory Atheist bashing going on.

Can I ask which posts you're referring to?

 

[The Lady Kate]

I agree it's a great topic as long as it doesn't turn into
church/Christian bashing. =)

Is it "bashing" to look at how certain chuches/Christians approach atheists and say "they're doing it wrong"?

 

[Nadiine]

Is it "bashing" to look at how certain chuches/Christians approach atheists and say "they're doing it wrong"?

please reread my post again, I think it answers this.
& if you don't know the difference btwn construction analysis
& bitter ad hom attack, then I don't know how to help you.

 

[The Lady Kate]

please reread my post again, I think it answers this.

Apparantly it doesn't, since I saw the need to ask.

& if you don't know the difference btwn construction analysis
& bitter ad hom attack, then I don't know how to help you.

And which of the two would you call this? It looks pretty bitter to me.

(and for the record, I'm not asking for your "help.")

 

[Nadiine]

Apparantly it doesn't, since I saw the need to ask.

lol, Oh I see, when you don't grasp something, it's always the other
person's fault.
K, I get it now

And which of the two would you call this? It looks pretty bitter to me.

(and for the record, I'm not asking for your "help.")

First you didn't grasp what I meant & had to ask, now you want to claim
that I meant to be bitter?

um............ ok.

 

[The Lady Kate]

lol, Oh I see, when you don't grasp something, it's always the other
person's fault.
K, I get it now

My.... you are a bitter one, aren't you? Why lash out at me?

If this is how you choose to interact with your fellow Christians whom you disagree with (or predict you'll disagree with, since I haven't actaully said anything yet), then how do you approach Atheists and other nonbelievers?

First you didn't grasp what I meant & had to ask, now you want to claim
that I meant to be bitter?

um............ ok.

Your meanings may be ambiguous, but your attitude is unmistakable. I only wish I knew what I did (besides question you) to merit such vitriol.

 

[SiderealExalt]

I have no idea if the OP question was asked in genuine interest or as some think, simply "bashing". But shouldn't you at least work under the assumption of benefit of the doubt. Otherwise you hamstring the process in the first place.

 

[LightSeaker]

My.... you are a bitter one, aren't you? Why lash out at me?

There are some here who are perfect examples of the wrong way to approach atheist. It's been edifying to watch this thread as it has progressed. My heart goes out to you. The Love of Christ seems to have escaped some. And that's something that even atheist look our for from those who claim to be Christian.

.

 

[Nadiine]

My.... you are a bitter one, aren't you? Why lash out at me?

If this is how you choose to interact with your fellow Christians whom you disagree with (or predict you'll disagree with, since I haven't actaully said anything yet), then how do you approach Atheists and other nonbelievers?


Your meanings may be ambiguous, but your attitude is unmistakable. I only wish I knew what I did (besides question you) to merit such vitriol.

I know your posts around CF... this isn't the first time I've met you
as you know.
& personally, I took your post to me as rude..

& I'm not bitter - that would be the wrong word entirely.

 

[Nadiine]

There are some here who are perfect examples of the wrong way to approach atheist. It's been edifying to watch this thread as it has progressed. My heart goes out to you. The Love of Christ seems to have escaped some. And that's something that even atheist look our for from those who claim to be Christian.

.

the love of Christ . . . oh how I'd love to go into that here...

Yes, those who claim to be Christian yet deny scriptures as truth
of God, promote Buddhism along w/ Christianity... etc etc.

"Love" without truth isn't promotion of the gospel tho which I see
alot of these days from people claiming to be Christian