Christians: why do you engage in discussions with atheists?

[2PhiloVoid]

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

That makes two of us.

 

[dlamberth]

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

I'd love to see the world saturated with Love.
That for me is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

[Astrid]

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.

Ive not seen the movie.

As for "faith" I sense the grim spectre of
equivocation.

 

[Grip Docility]

Ive not seen the movie.

As for "faith" I sense the grim specter of
equivocation.

Astrid. I'm a fire breathing "Love thy neighbor as thyself"... who is my neighbor? All Humanity, Jesus Freak.

But, I'm not what you think I am. You opened this can of worms. That grim specter of equivocation statement is the invitation.

Astrid, can mankind scientifically prove if God exists or doesn't exist?

 

[AV1611VET]

I'd love to see the world saturated with Love.
That for me is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Aim for love, get love.

Aim for Christ, get both.

 

[Astrid]

Astrid. I'm a fire breathing "Love thy neighbor as thyself"... who is my neighbor? All Humanity, Jesus Freak.

But, I'm not what you think I am. You opened this can of worms. That grim specter of equivocation statement is the invitation.

Astrid, can mankind scientifically prove if God exists or doesn't exist?

"Love" such as you describe is not a concept to us.

We don't talk about " love". Feelings for another
are expressed by what we do.
So we Asoans see the " love everyone" bit as vacuous.

The next paragraph is three wholly unrelated topics.

But...I dont find it "loving" to make up spmethung negative about me by standards east or west

I intend no " can of worms".
Plz don't try to, reate one.

You were equivocating the word " faith" out of all meaning.

Finally your try at a " gotcha". I ignored the one about
weight of a soul, too.

Now, svp, post on topic or please depart.

 

[Grip Docility]

"Love" such as you describe is not a concept to us.

I, ironically agree. For me, God is the source of all True Love.

We don't talk about " love". Feelings for another

Love is a feeling, but I'm speaking about the unconditional verb

are expressed by what we do.

Yup, that's the one. <3

So we Asians see the " love everyone" bit as vacuous.

Jesus spoke of this. It is common to Love only friends and family. It is only Divine to Love without discrimination. Worldly Love is selective.

The next paragraph is three wholly unrelated topics.

But...I don't find it "loving" to make up something negative about me by standards east or west

Please articulate how I've offended you, so that I can apologize.

I intend no " can of worms".
Plz don't try to, create one.

Oh, that. You did use these heavy handed words, no? "As for "faith" I sense the grim specter of equivocation."

You were equivocating the word " faith" out of all meaning.

I disagree. The word "faithful" in relationships is a worldly usage. Trust and Faith are the same identical thing. Does this world run without worldly forms of "Trust"?

Do you deny that there are absolute truths?

Finally your try at a " gotcha". I ignored the one about weight of a soul, too.

Ignoring people is pretty common. Speaking to be heard, Listening for a chance to speak, Ignoring people's ideas who are different than ones own ideas... I came here hoping for meaningful dialogue without obligation to take any particular stance. Now, I'm skeptical.

Now, svp, post on topic or please depart.

I really desired a meaningful conversation. This is a(n) calloused, unfeeling, uncaring reply. IMO

I appreciate the time that you took to reply. I'll show myself the door.

 

[Reasonably Sane]

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

Yeah. I'm not a fan of preaching. I am a fan of "where the rubber meets the road" discussions, though. It's spontaneous.

 

[Hammster]

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

Are you actually complaining about that?

 

[Bobber]

I rarely learn anything from the other Christians here which helps my faith.

That sounds like an oxymoron. How can an atheist help you with your FAITH? If they don't have it where's your help?

 

[Bobber]

Atheists help me to challenge aspects of may faith, put it to the test and purify it.

That doesn't mean they helped you with your FAITH. God is the one who ultimately did that as you studied his WORD.

 

[Bobber]

Just believing God exists won't save a person mind you. I think people can claim a lot of things but being put in a different situation you find they probably respond varied ways. If a love one dies or they're seeking to comfort one I don't doubt a lot of them probably say, "Well they're in a better place now." So what happened to their atheistic position. It can go by the way side without they're even thinking about it.

 

[Astrid]

Are you actually complaining about that?

Not from me. But overdoing things can
be counterproductive.

In any event I do know the idea, dont
need to hear it again.

 

[dlamberth]

That doesn't mean they helped you with your FAITH. God is the one who ultimately did that as you studied his WORD.

In my own spiritual life, I've found that being challenged has had the effect of a deeper soul-searching self reflection of my own faith trajectory.

 

[Astrid]

That doesn't mean they helped you with your FAITH. God is the one who ultimately did that as you studied his WORD.

Perhaps you are overlooking something?

In what do you have faith?

Is it possible to have misplaced faith in
mistaken ideas?

 

[Astrid]

In my own spiritual life, I've found that being challenged has had the effect of a deeper soul-searching self reflection of my own faith trajectory.

Of what use is faith that cannot withstand any challenge?

 

[Astrid]

Just believing God exists won't save a person mind you. I think people can claim a lot of things but being put in a different situation you find they probably respond varied ways. If a love one dies or they're seeking to comfort one I don't doubt a lot of them probably say, "Well they're in a better place now." So what happened to their atheistic position. It can go by the way side without they're even thinking about it.

Of what use is imaginary hypocrisy on the part of people you don't know or understand?

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Are you actually complaining about that?

Guys like Jim Baker and the the guy and his wife with the jets, ya.

 

[Astrid]

Guys like Jim Baker and the the guy and his wife with the jets, ya.

Mormons at the door.

 

[public hermit]

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

Why shouldn't Christians engage with atheists? If it's because we disagree, that's a given. I think the value is clarifying both differences and commonalities. And, behind that, I assume there is a common humanity that inheres in you that is just like mine. But I can do that; I'm very much Platonic in that sense.