Pretend I'm an atheist. How would you convert me?

[Robert Richborough]

I've had the best way in converting people by playing (devils advocate) wish there was a better term lol, but i start by saying, ok what if your view is true.

I then point out the similar flaws within atheist logic, the usual how does a universe spring from nothing, when they use their usual rebuttals, i bring them to the conclusion that both atheism and Christianity have to make a logical leap of faith eventually, we just assume that there is a consciousness behind the universe's creation.

Now that they know their beliefs are not so cemented, I share my personal experiences and say, look this is my personal experiences, what's happened to me, you may choose or not to believe, I will not try and push you. Most people from there on have asked me more about my experiences and I slowly introduce them to them with time and explain if they are curious to test my hypothesis and show them how i got closer to God and why they should give it a shot because they got nothing to lose.

Pascals wager

If i die and God isn't real believing in him, I die in blissful ignorance not remembering and have lost nothing.
If i die not believing in God I must face my mortality and nothing will change.
But if I die and God is real believing in him I gain everything and eternal life.

 

[section9+1]

I wouldn't try. They can go to hell.

 

[Archivist]

No Christian believes in evolution who rightly understands the doctrine of evolution and rightly understands the truth of God. Which is utterly irrelevant and meaningless, since the Pope is just another sinful man.

Well, this Christian believes that evolution occurred, as do many others.

You are, of course, entitled to your own interpretation and you own opinion.

 

[Fhaoipteh]

Pretend I'm an atheist. How would you convert me?



The title says it all.

I went to an atheist forum to preach about God and failed miserably. I don't know if they were closed-minded or I was just too much of an idiot to persuade someone of anything. Either way, I want to be someone who is good at debating on the side of my God.

So how would you approach such a situation? What would you tell me to convince me out of my atheism?

Let's say, for example, that I believe in evolution instead of creationism. What would you tell me? (That's just one example of many. Don't focus on it, please.)

I would say that belief is logical.
If I do not believe in God, and there is no God; that's OK
If I believe in God and there is no God; I live a better life.
If I believe in God and there is a God; That's good; BUT
If I do not believe in God and there is a God, then I have lost everything.
Unless those atheists are very selfish, they are illogical.
You are not the idiot here

 

[JoeP222w]

.

 

[Steve Petersen]

Pretend I'm an atheist. How would you convert me?



The title says it all.

I went to an atheist forum to preach about God and failed miserably. I don't know if they were closed-minded or I was just too much of an idiot to persuade someone of anything. Either way, I want to be someone who is good at debating on the side of my God.

So how would you approach such a situation? What would you tell me to convince me out of my atheism?

Let's say, for example, that I believe in evolution instead of creationism. What would you tell me? (That's just one example of many. Don't focus on it, please.)

First, I would ask you to put your brain on the shelf and just accept the authority of the Bible and my interpretation of it just because.

 

[Archivist]

So what is your favorite example of an observable change of one species to another species?

I don't want to derail this thread by turning it into a discussion on evolution. If you want to start a thread on this topic let me know; I would enjoy participating.

I was simply addressing your statement regarding Christians and evolution. The fact is that a great many Christians believe that evolution happened.

 

[rambot]

Step 1: Not on the internet

I consider being a servant of God to in a relationship with God. I think it would be hard to convert someone to explore a relationship with God if you have no relationship with that person.

That said, I should probably be the last person to give advice as I am a coward in this regard.

 

[ToBeLoved]

I wouldn't try. They can go to hell.

Way to love your neighbor as yourself!

 

[section9+1]

No conflict with loving your neighbor. I'm not telling other Christians what they should do. That's just what I would do.

 

[rambot]

I try to point out flaws in scientific explanations but they'll say just because the Big Bang is flawed doesn't mean God exists.

FYI: The Big Bang theory is FULLY supported by the Vatican Observatory. I had read (don't know if it's true) but that the observatory played a fundamental role in the creation of the theory actually.

I mean, it makes sense, don't you think? From a creationist perspective even? I often think of Gary Larson's "Creation" cartoon when I think of literal creationists:

That they believe God made every single thing with his hands as opposed to some other kind of method that humans can't comprehend.

 

[rambot]

No conflict with loving your neighbor.

Dismissing people into hell with no worry or regard is not in conflict with loving your neighbour

 

[section9+1]

Jesus said Do not cast your pearls before swine. Do not give to the dogs what is sacred. So Jesus did not love his neighbor? Lots of other bible quotes out there as well.

 

[ToBeLoved]

No conflict with loving your neighbor. I'm not telling other Christians what they should do. That's just what I would do.

I am coming more from the perspective of loving God and your neighbor by giving them (hopefully) a gift that would last for all eternity.

I would say one severely limits how much they can love God if they are not willing to be a servant and serve as Christ served with agape love. IMHO.

 

[ToBeLoved]

Jesus said Do not cast your pearls before swine. Do not give to the dogs what is sacred. So Jesus did not love his neighbor? Lots of other bible quotes out there as well.

That is someone who will not listen and chooses to reject God's message over and over.

We are to spread the gospel. That is commanded of us.

 

[section9+1]

No problems with evangelism. But still according to you, Jesus didn't love all his neighbors.

 

[Acts2:38]

Pretend I'm an atheist. How would you convert me?



The title says it all.

I went to an atheist forum to preach about God and failed miserably. I don't know if they were closed-minded or I was just too much of an idiot to persuade someone of anything. Either way, I want to be someone who is good at debating on the side of my God.

So how would you approach such a situation? What would you tell me to convince me out of my atheism?

Let's say, for example, that I believe in evolution instead of creationism. What would you tell me? (That's just one example of many. Don't focus on it, please.)

Hello,

Look, a forum over the internet I would say, is worse in preaching the word than face to face randomly on the street or where ever your legs take you.

See, here in these forums, most have something to prove. They are less likely to have an open mind regardless of evidence. They are their to pridefully push their belief even if they can't prove it. They are close minded to facts that you would bring to the table.

I would not lose any sleep over preaching the bible to people since it is their choice to heed the facts or not. Once you show them God's word, the ball is in their court. You done your duty according to scripture. God will take note even if the person doesn't listen.

With that said, one story I like to tell evolutionists is as someone told me:

"Imagine, if you will, a print shop containing many reams of paper, gallons of ink, and thousands of sets of type reproducing over and over the twenty-six letters of the alphabet and the numbers zero through nine. Due to a gas leak, one great explosion occurs in this shop. Ink, paper, and type are hurled randomly and violently in all directions. When the dust settles, the smoke clears, and all components come to rest, the result is all thirty volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica in order with no misspelled words or grammatical errors. Incredible?

And yet atheists demand we believe that the universe, infinite in size and complexity, incredibly orderly in function, composed of over one hundred chemical elements in virtually limitless combinations, is the result of a "Big Bang" produced by mindless energy eons ago. Our souls cannot afford to play on such childish, irrational faith."

See, they may deny this up one end and down the next, but Atheism is a faith. A belief in something they think happened. It is a very hopeless feeling faith too. Here is an example another person had:

"Start with nothing. From nothing, for no reason or purpose, lifeless, mindless material just came into existence.

Lifeless, mindless material, existing for no reason and with no purpose, somehow, some way, through a process that has never been observed anywhere, spontaneously generated something that was living.

This living thing, having come into existence from mindless and lifeless material, for no purpose and with no reason or meaning, found a way to replicate all by itself.

Over millions and millions of years, this now-living material, existing for no reason or purpose whatsoever, developed into creatures that could think and reason intelligently, and are held morally accountable for their actions.

Thus, lifeless, mindless matter, from accidental, purposeless, non-rational forces of chance, gave rise to life and mind, reason and intelligence, morality and responsibility.

Intelligence and morality are thus the end product of non-rational, mindless, lifeless, chance accidents through time.

End in nothing.

Start with nothing. End in nothing. No reason. No purpose. No meaning. From nothing to nothing. Everything in between is the result of mindless, accidental forces with no ultimate goal or purpose."

Honest science actually proves the bible correct. There is a lot of dishonesty in this world that people will go around touting as truth. Most will be close minded will some you can open up. Just shake the dust off and move to the next person planting the seed.

 

[rambot]

No problems with evangelism. But still according to you, Jesus didn't love all his neighbors.

To be clear: Don't cast your pearls before swine means never evangelize to people then?

 

[section9+1]

Rambot
Not at all. It means don't offer people what they don't want. Most atheists know what they want and it is not Jesus. Too many Christians spin their wheels against something that doesn't move. If anyone is receptive or looking, go ahead, but leave the dogs and swine alone.
Ro. 13:10 Love does no harm to it's neighbor.
In this life, I treat people politely and with civility regardless of who they are.
The good Samaritan story tells us to help others. It don't matter their color or their theology or philosophy. If you can help them, do so.
I wish health and well being to all in this life and if people can be evangelized we should do so. If not, they can go to hell.

 

[Petros2015]

To be clear: Don't cast your pearls before swine means never evangelize to people then?

It might mean don't troll atheist conventions and forums 'lest they turn and rend thee' You can be a humble witness for Christ every day in some way, to some one.