Compassion for atheists

[jacks]

Do you mean, never "call them out" on anything? Like................never? Never ever?

I was advocating for more compassion, not miracles!

 

[bèlla]

Do you mean, never "call them out" on anything? Like................never? Never ever?

How frequently would that behavior move someone’s heart if they don’t know you or respect your opinion? Would it communicate love to most?

Many are accustomed to Christians forcefully sharing their beliefs without invitation. It would be more disarming to color outside the lines. If argument is not an option all that remains is service. This can be difficult for those with encyclopedic knowledge like yourself.

And that’s the secret sauce. Your restraint is powerful because you know. It will be evident in your discourse and a likely avenue for greater sharing over time.

Ministry is akin to baking a cake. Each ingredient has a purpose and a set of hands attached. Its rarely one contributor. Sometimes what’s needed is an ear. Or kindness. Love and so on. All these things work together to move them to the place of openness which allows them to hear the truth and welcome it.

~Bella

 

[2PhiloVoid]

How frequently would that behavior move someone’s heart if they don’t know you or respect your opinion? Would it communicate love to most?

Many are accustomed to Christians forcefully sharing their beliefs without invitation. It would be more disarming to color outside the lines. If argument is not an option all that remains is service. This can be difficult for those with encyclopedic knowledge like yourself.

And that’s the secret sauce. Your restraint is powerful because you know. It will be evident in your discourse and a likely avenue for greater sharing over time.

Ministry is akin to baking a cake. Each ingredient has a purpose and a set of hands attached. Its rarely one contributor. Sometimes what’s needed is an ear. Or kindness. Love and so on. All these things work together to move them to the place of openness which allows them to hear the truth and welcome it.

~Bella

That's all true, LaBèlla, all except for the part about my knowledge being "encylopedic."

Alas, if only that were true. ***sigh***

 

[bèlla]

That's all true, LaBèlla, all except for the part about my knowledge being "encylopedic."

Alas, if only that were true. ***sigh***

You underestimate your prowess.

~Bella

 

[2PhiloVoid]

You underestimate your prowess.

~Bella

You're sweet for saying so, LaBèlla, but frankly, I'm getting the feeling lately that my whole way of looking at life doesn't offer much of what people [skeptical types mainly] are wanting most, such as: superlative evidence, consolation and assurance.

Not only that, but being 'nice' to skeptically invasive type folks is my weak suite.

 

[bèlla]

You're sweet for saying so, LaBèlla, but frankly, I'm getting the feeling lately that my whole way of looking at life doesn't offer much of what people [skeptical types mainly] are wanting most, such as: superlative evidence, consolation and assurance.

Not only that, but being 'nice' to skeptically invasive type folks is my weak suite.

If you were speaking to an alcoholic you’d look beyond his condition. You’d know his behavior was the outgrowth of larger issues. Drinking is his coping mechanism.

No one emerges from the womb as an atheist. You must understand their story to grasp its impact on their mindset. Peeling back the layers takes time but its worth it.

What helps me is remembering the ache I felt looking for God in different places. It hurt me deeply and I never forgot the joy I felt when I found Him or the kind souls who assisted. I want to do the same. Being part of the process is humbling.

I’m no expert. But I know how to love. How to pray. And how to face the enemy when my back is against the wall. I’m a conduit. A receptacle of grace doing her part on the battlefield.

It’s Satan’s job to take us out and make us doubt our usefulness. It’s his responsibility to thwart the work we’re meant to do. If you give him an inch he’ll mess with your head. But if you weren’t a threat he wouldn’t bother.

Remember that brother.

~Bella

 

[jacks]

You're sweet for saying so, LaBèlla, but frankly, I'm getting the feeling lately that my whole way of looking at life doesn't offer much of what people [skeptical types mainly] are wanting most, such as: superlative evidence, consolation and assurance.

Not only that, but being 'nice' to skeptically invasive type folks is my weak suite.

Besides the excellent points Bella made, I would add we rarely know the good we do. Just because someone is fighting you at the moment, doesn't mean they will not consider your words later. I'm sure the people that helped me come to the Lord have no idea it was their words that made a difference. (If I could track them down I would let them know now.) It's really not a fight in the here and now we should strive to win. Rather it is opening the person just a bit to the possibilities of salvation. And of course our actions often speak louder than words. I've had people remain calm when I was being petty and irrational, it infuriated me at the time but changed me in the long run.

Finally I would add, the atheists that post here are not your typical atheists. They tend to be more combative and thrive on confrontation. It really is the elephant in the room as to why they come to a Christian forum. They of course have many rationals (and some are probably true), but most atheists would never come to a Christian site. And as aggravating as this can make them, I believe in the saying "Hate is closer to love than indifference." There is hope for them.

Edit: And of course if things get too tough, don't forget the "ignore" button, we are human after all!

 

[Ayenew]

I think some of us (if not most) were in the same situation that atheists are. I don't think we should urge them to take the doctrine we give them, and then condemn them when they are not willing. The most important thing to see God is a humble heart. We should encourage them to long for God with a broken and contrite heart, and pray for them if we can. God can change anyone.

 

[Rugged Cross]

What we often forget that many on CF may have been an atheist at some time. They may argued with reason, even given good reason for their non-belief. But they found their way to the Lord. So, we should pray for them and care about them.