Christians: why do you engage in discussions with atheists?

[Astrid]

That's dehumanizing and I've never agreed with it. You are more than your beliefs and worthy of recognition in light of your divinity as His creation. Whether you know it or not.

Change is a process and I questioned the 'script' in a missionary preparation class. I asked how they were certain they were supposed to present the gospel in one sitting and was it possible that their presence was for something else. Oftentimes it's a series of experiences over a period that brings them to the point where its conveyance is met with agreement.

I've also been on the receiving end of the same during my estrangement and was accosted by a group when we left the synagogue. They were trying to give us Hanukkah candles but they had bible tracts too and were really aggressive. I've lived in this area over 25 years and have never witnessed anything like that and hope I never do again.

It did more harm than good and added years to the process. If I recall they were messianic jews and I was offended. Although I've found my way back there was still a connection to judaism in my heart that couldn't be sated in the others company. While I can converse I could never be one of them denominationally so for many reasons.

My bearing is a reflection of time in their presence and the influence remains. That's how I was received and I do the same in the kind. Without their assistance I would have been an atheist. I was nearing the point of no return and you don't forget things like that.

I've never forgotten how it felt to be lost and that inspires compassion not judgment or heavy handedness. My burden for others like myself remains and that's my purpose. Someone snatched me from the flames so I could the same. And that's incredibly humbling.

Thank you for this thread and the compliment. It was a welcome respite.

~bella

And thank you for your heartfelt and most interesting reply!

 

[Grip Docility]

Is there something you dont think you understand,
do you feel a moral obligation to try for conversion,
just like to argue or...??

Everyone is valuable. I enjoy dialogue with people. All people.

Is there a touch of that one scene from the movie “Freaks” where silverware is being banged on the table, a cup is being lifted towards said Atheist and the words “Gooble Gobble, One of us” are being chanted. Kind of, Yet, Belief is an intimate issue.

People make up their own minds. Am I always ready to give a Loving answer? You bet! However, most Atheists do have faith of sorts in a belief system of sorts. It took me years of discussion to learn this.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Is there something you dont think you understand,
do you feel a moral obligation to try for conversion,
just like to argue or...??

I do so for essentially the same reason(s) that Blaise Pascal did ... both to attempt to relate with atheists on an intellectual and humanitarian level AND to refute those who are sarcastic and ill-disposed toward the Christian Faith [hence, the reason I refer to what I call "Pascal's A.A.S.S." I take it as axiomatic.]

This is "why" I've been on CF for over 15 years.

 

[dlamberth]

Usually the atheists targets fundamentalist literal beliefs about the Bible. One we get past that we get more into philosophy.
But you make me wonder if my beliefs change at all. They are pretty abstract and hard to pin down anyway. There is lot that I think is unessential. Like Paul Tillich I think in terms of an "Ultimate Concern". For me it comes down to the question: Is the universe fundamentally without consciousness or is consciousness its foundation?

So beliefs about how God does this or that, who Jesus is, what is revelation, what can we know about God and how to know it, how to interpret the Bible, etc, these beliefs seem to change all the time for me. They seem open ended and ongoing.

Paul Tillich leaned towards the mystical in his religious experience. Unfortunately he would not be understood in this forum.
I tend to go pretty heavily with consciousness as the foundation.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

Is there something you dont think you understand,
do you feel a moral obligation to try for conversion,
just like to argue or...??

Why not? Ones religious beliefs don’t determine who is and isn’t worth talking to.

 

[Reasonably Sane]

Is there something you dont think you understand,
do you feel a moral obligation to try for conversion,
just like to argue or...??

Well, regarding conversations about the meaning of life, it's along the lines of sharing the gospel with the world. Personally, I don't brow beat it with it, but if the subject comes up, I like to share.

Of course, we also have conversations about stuff like repairing cars, favorite music, lawn mowers, etc.

But to be clear, I've never had a conversation with an atheist. At least not in person. Many claim to be, but they all end up admitting they are really "agnostic". Many claim to be, on the internet. but people claim to be all sorts of things on the internet. In person, none of them have "stuck" to that definition when further queried. That being said, some have tried to attach the definition of agnostic to "atheist". That's just moving the goal posts.

 

[Reasonably Sane]

Paul Tillich leaned towards the mystical in his religious experience. Unfortunately he would not be understood in this forum.
I tend to go pretty heavily with consciousness as the foundation.

Human consciousness is the one miracle we all experience every minute of every day. But we get so used to it we don't even think about it much.

 

[Reasonably Sane]

do you feel a moral obligation to try for conversion,

After rereading that line, I should clarify. For me it's a bit like wanting to share a new and fascinating discovery with others. Imagine you find a new coating you can spray and wipe off your headlights and they will never yellow. They will look brand new for the life of the car, and it only costs five bucks. Would you not want to share that with people?

Same psychological concept. At least it is for me. And I know some will believe me and buy it, and others won't for whatever reason. I leave it to both to make their choice.

 

[Neogaia777]

Is there something you dont think you understand,
do you feel a moral obligation to try for conversion,
just like to argue or...??

I feel like I have a better chance at reaching them than I do most Christians, etc. And that they have a better chance at comprehending or understanding what I know or how I am thinking, etc.

God Bless.

 

[durangodawood]

After rereading that line, I should clarify. For me it's a bit like wanting to share a new and fascinating discovery with others. Imagine you find a new coating you can spray and wipe off your headlights and they will never yellow. They will look brand new for the life of the car, and it only costs five bucks. Would you not want to share that with people?

Same psychological concept. At least it is for me. And I know some will believe me and buy it, and others won't for whatever reason. I leave it to both to make their choice.

No offense intended - but Im not sure the appeal of Headlight PermaClear® quite measures up the the Kingdom of God. Not that I even know, myself. I'm just going by testimony and imagination.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Paul Tillich leaned towards the mystical in his religious experience. Unfortunately he would not be understood in this forum.
I tend to go pretty heavily with consciousness as the foundation.

Well, it makes more sense to me while leaving the further question open as to what that could that mean and what consciousness even is.
I guess atheists are basically materialist and see consciousness as a property of matter that eventually emerges somehow without knowing how.

 

[Reasonably Sane]

No offense intended - but Im not sure the appeal of Headlight PermaClear® quite measures up the the Kingdom of God. Not that I even know, myself. I'm just going by testimony and imagination.

That's exactly my point. If you would want to share that, why would you not be a thousand times more excited to share the gospel!

 

[AV1611VET]

Is there something you dont think you understand,
do you feel a moral obligation to try for conversion,
just like to argue or...??

We have a great commission to go with the Gospel.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

And also ...

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

 

[Astrid]

Well, regarding conversations about the meaning of life, it's along the lines of sharing the gospel with the world. Personally, I don't brow beat it with it, but if the subject comes up, I like to share.

Of course, we also have conversations about stuff like repairing cars, favorite music, lawn mowers, etc.

But to be clear, I've never had a conversation with an atheist. At least not in person. Many claim to be, but they all end up admitting they are really "agnostic". Many claim to be, on the internet. but people claim to be all sorts of things on the internet. In person, none of them have "stuck" to that definition when further queried. That being said, some have tried to attach the definition of agnostic to "atheist". That's just moving the goal posts.

Sooo... atheists reluctantly confess to making false claims and/or don't know what they are talking about.

 

[Astrid]

Well, it makes more sense to me while leaving the further question open as to what that could that mean and what consciousness even is.
I guess atheists are basically materialist and see consciousness as a property of matter that eventually emerges somehow without knowing how.

There's a lot more " msterialiltic" known than there is about
supernatural sources, that latter number being zero.

 

[Reasonably Sane]

Sooo atheists make false claims and/or don't
know what they are talking about.

No. But every "atheist" I've ever met in person eventually backed off and said they were really "more agnostic than atheist". Make of it what you will.

People tend to be more honest in face to face conversations than anonymously on the internet.

 

[Reasonably Sane]

There's a lot more " msterialiltic" known than there is about
supernatural sources, that latter number being zero.

Opinions vary. I will say this: Don't expect scientific evidence for supernatural events. The key is the "super" part of supernatural. How much does a human soul weigh, anyway?

 

[Astrid]

No. But every "atheist" I've ever met in person eventually backed off and said they were really "more agnostic than atheist". Make of it what you will.

People tend to be more honest in face to face conversations than anonymously on the internet.

I already made of it.
Incl the dishonesty and reluctant confession bit.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

If you would want to share that, why would you not be a thousand times more excited to share the gospel!

The think people have been inundated with preachers of "the Gospel'.

 

[AV1611VET]

The thing is people have been inundated with preachers of "the Gospel'.

I'd love to see the world saturated with the Gospel.