What would you recommend to an open-minded atheist who is willing give God a chance?

TruthSeek3r said:

Suppose that an atheist (i.e. someone who lacks a belief in any religion) is willing to give God a chance, but they are so open-minded in this regard that they are not even sure which God/religion to focus on to begin with (e.g. Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, New Age spirituality, Shamanism, the Occult, etc.). In other words, this person is scientifically minded, lacks a belief in the supernatural, and yet is open-minded enough to at least give it a shot and pursue a supernatural experience or divine encounter of some kind, even if just for a while.

What would you recommend to such an atheist?

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To look at the earth and how its designed so intelligently. Even atheist scientists agree there was a 'force' that started everything. Just tell them to read God's word, - the Bible.

BobRyan said:

That is a very encouraging testimony - thanks for sharing it. It also testifies to the kindness of your father and not wanting you to be "brain washed" into nothing-but-atheism as a child.

I told my own children when they were young that I was most certainly "brain washing them" to be born-again saved Christians because I could not bear the thought of giving the devil "more chances than I needed to" to steal eternal life from them. So they knew up front that what I was doing and why I was doing it. I am happy to say that they have remained Christian into adulthood. I also exposed them to a number of different Christian denomination's POV by either visiting those churches or having their members visit our home.

But I would ask you this - what kind of discussion could have been of interest to your father to get him to consider eternal life - over the hole-in-ground-ending ideal of atheism in your POV? (Which I think closely fits the objective in the OP)

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BobRyan, my dysfunctional family lives with a firm policy of not discussing religion, politics, or anything else potentially serious, personal, or divisive. I tried once to witness to my dad extensively using logic and evidence, only to be met with an anger and resentment that lasted for over 20 years. He was thoroughly offended, with my other siblings chastising me for the brazen act. When my mom died, my dad became softer, more emotional, and a much closer, better father to me - a relationship continuing to this day. I tried a second time, daring to briefly ask him if he was still comfortable with his irreligious beliefs. He assured me that he was and thanked me for respecting that and not interfering with it. Since then, I've dropped hints when opportunities arise, prompting a potential conversation on any of the many faith related issues, but to no avail. He's happy for me and my beliefs, but firmly, at 94 years old now, continues to reject any form of faith or religious views into his life. He's a determined, committed, satisfied atheist. I continue to pray every week for his heart to be softened, but until the Lord does that, I cannot even discuss the subject with him.

Most of my family and half of my friends are atheists or agnostics, and I've found them generally uninterested and unwilling to discuss any religious matters. No surprise, since most of my Catholic and Christian friends are the same. I always look for opportunity to steer a conversation towards God or the Bible, but have learned that if they don't respond favorably with interest, it's a waste of time to preach to unreceptive people. Studying Christian apologetics has given me a passion for sharing evidence for the faith, but I've learned that we can't persuade an unbeliever of anything unless his heart is open to seeking truth and assessing the evidence. So we pray, and we try to witness where we can, but it's sad to see loved ones on the track of destruction.

TruthSeek3r said:

Suppose that an atheist (i.e. someone who lacks a belief in any religion) is willing to give God a chance, but they are so open-minded in this regard that they are not even sure which God/religion to focus on to begin with (e.g. Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, New Age spirituality, Shamanism, the Occult, etc.). In other words, this person is scientifically minded, lacks a belief in the supernatural, and yet is open-minded enough to at least give it a shot and pursue a supernatural experience or divine encounter of some kind, even if just for a while.

What would you recommend to such an atheist?

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I’d recommend looking into historic arguments around the resurrection of Jesus, because hearing those points can give the open minded atheist some pointers on how good history is done.

They can learn historic principles and discover that Jesus is better sourced and better argued for than any other religious figure in history.

Muhammad (for example) having sex with all of his wives one after another, as if he were the Lewis Hamilton of sex, that’s clearly fake news, the product of a very masculine society hell bent on projecting the strongest picture of their man. It’s a byproduct of culture, and as a result, less likely to be true.

The sinless Christs baptism (for sins?) His humiliating death by crucifixion, and women finding His empty tomb, they’re not culturally attractive for the first century audience. Knowing how to do history helps us see that these details are more likely to be true.

Jesus (historically speaking) is simply the best.

TruthSeek3r said:

Suppose that an atheist (i.e. someone who lacks a belief in any religion) is willing to give God a chance, but they are so open-minded in this regard that they are not even sure which God/religion to focus on to begin with (e.g. Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, New Age spirituality, Shamanism, the Occult, etc.). In other words, this person is scientifically minded, lacks a belief in the supernatural, and yet is open-minded enough to at least give it a shot and pursue a supernatural experience or divine encounter of some kind, even if just for a while.

What would you recommend to such an atheist?

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Maybe the atheist should seek God in order that God might give him a chance!

TruthSeek3r said:

Suppose that an atheist (i.e. someone who lacks a belief in any religion) is willing to give God a chance, but they are so open-minded in this regard that they are not even sure which God/religion to focus on to begin with (e.g. Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, New Age spirituality, Shamanism, the Occult, etc.). In other words, this person is scientifically minded, lacks a belief in the supernatural, and yet is open-minded enough to at least give it a shot and pursue a supernatural experience or divine encounter of some kind, even if just for a while.

What would you recommend to such an atheist?

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I would share the gospel with them and me personal testimony of how my life was changed after coming to Christ.