Christians: why do you engage in discussions with atheists?

Reasonably Sane said:

May I suggest that what they are, really, is agnostics. And I'll throw this out as well: I used to talk to a lot of ex-Christians on a certain site and in every single case - and I mean every single one - as they list their problems with Christianity I would finally say to them, "It sounds like the thing you have a problem with is not Christianity but Catholicism". Every time they admitted they were ex-Catholic.

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No, the difference between various forms of atheism is explained by them, and I think, best explained by them. I'm not going to attempt to psychoanalyze and perfectly categorize atheists. I think it's best to let each individual say how and why he/she doesn't doesn't believe in God and, if they're ex-Christians, now reject Christ.

I've spoken to a wide number of atheists (e.g. like on the website "ex-christian.net" or those who have been my fellow students when I attended university), I've listened to them on hundreds of podcasts and youtube videos, and I read (and own) some of their literature, so I'm pretty sure they wouldn't simply say that they are agnostics when they are "soft" atheists. No, even "soft" atheists REALLY don't believe in God. "Hard" atheists are usually two steps beyond that as well ...

Their emotional responses to our questioning are palatable and different from those who simple say that they'd like to believe but just aren't finding the evidence yet by which to do so. On the other hand, both "soft" atheists and "hard" atheists typically are at a state of mind where they no longer look for any evidence of God's existence or for any further verification about the veracity of the Biblical message as it culminates in Christ. They're usually done with all of that. Nearly for good in most cases.

Reasonably Sane said:

I don't mean to beat up on Catholics, specifically. Rather, I've found that most people that leave the church are being put off by things taught that are not really taught by the bible, but by horribly misguided pastors or lay-leaders. And then their is stuff like Joel Osteen. Great motivational speaker, but he basically uses Christianity like a smorgasbord. Every church I've attended I've seen teaching I strongly disagree with. But one thing that may have helped me is that I didn't become a Christian until I was 27. i.e. I made the choice as an adult with a fully developed brain. Those brought in at birth, who don't pray and study hard, are highly susceptible to atheists that know the bible better than they do.

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You sound like you have had a narrower engagement. Usually, in my experience, those who are ex-christian come from fundamentalist and/or charismatic sorts of evangelical churches. Sure, there are some Catholics and Orthodox mixed in there too, but they aren't a predominant in the statistical spread from what I've seen.

Reasonably Sane said:

I've seen it on University Way next to UW (Seattle) back in the early 80's. Their faith is like the seed that falls on the rocks. One of my goals as an older man now (70), is to throw some mulch on those seeds before the sun scorches them.

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Of course. We all understand the Parable of the Sower.

Hammster said:

Yes

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Brilliant! But you started in in post 71.

Neogaia777 said:

If you truly want to reach atheists or agnostics, then you have to try things like this with them like I did here in this thread (below) that got closed.

Exodus evidence (part 2 updated)

Could you, Please, read the statement of purpose for this, the PHYSICAL SCIENCE forum, and abide by it? That would be very good advise for you to follow. I am glad you were able to point that out. You should also read the section on how to show respect for others.

www.christianforums.com

This is post #120, but began with post #111 & #112 and then #120, and then finshed up with posts #120 & #121 & #123 after it.

God Bless.

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No one was convinced by any of that who didn’t already believe.

Reasonably Sane said:

The only thing missing in that sign is the word "happy".

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I thought this was a Korean thing.

2PhiloVoid said:

You're a Methodist, surely you already know that even John Wesley didn't think that salvation was a 100% guaranteed promise, no matter what, right?

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He believes salvation and holiness is a process. The Bible is clear that if we produce fruit we are saved. A branch that does not produce fruit is thrown into the fire and burned. Some pastors believe if there is one person in Heaven that you do not love then you do not get in. This is why Jesus tells us to love our enemy because they may come to a saving knowledge of the truth. Corrie Tan Boon had this when she encountered the worst guard in the concentration camp she was in. He said God forgives me but do you? The answer was NO, she did not. But God was able to do a work in Corrie so that she was able to forgive. So now they can spend eternity together in Heaven.

Ace777 said:

He believes salvation and holiness is a process. The Bible is clear that if we produce fruit we are saved. A branch that does not produce fruit is thrown into the fire and burned. Some pastors believe if there is one person in Heaven that you do not love then you do not get in. This is why Jesus tells us to love our enemy because they may come to a saving knowledge of the truth. Corrie Tan Boon had this when she encountered the worst guard in the concentration camp she was in. He said God forgives me but do you? The answer was NO, she did not. But God was able to do a work in Corrie so that she was able to forgive. So now they can spend eternity together in Heaven.

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I'm not here to debate the issue of OSAS. I'm simply responding to your previous post and I'm indicating that Christians are not all in accord with OSAS.

Astrid said:

Sorryah but I get nothing from that explanation.

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From past conversations, I didn't expect that you would.

Astrid said:

To me westerners equivocate both the words
" love" and "faith" out of any semblance of meaning.

What is ot about past convo other than i like specificity and content?

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I'm pretty sure I don't fail in this regard. In fact. I KNOW I DON'T. And I'm VERY confident about this.

Astrid said:

Christians: why do you engage in discussions with atheists?​

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

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I usually don’t.

I’ve been on an atheist forum to discuss things but the discussion is low quality and not serious.

I lost respect for the forum that day haha

I learned that lots of the atheists on the forum are the same as their religious counterparts.

I barely even engage on here anymore since a staff member wrote me a little story with a nazi and a hero in it. (I was the nazi in his scenario, guess who the hero was??). Also, another staff member was just rude and abrasive with me. There are other things I could be doing with my time.

I frequent here and the atheist forum when I’m bored - but there’s not a whole lot of point though.