I have been blessed with many friends in my life, however 3 of my closest are hardcore athiests and an agnostic. I want my friends to find true happyness as I have through Christ, I also don't want them living in eternal darkness and suffering. I don't know how to approach them on this subject. I don't even know where to begin. I am going to start praying for them on a daily basis. Ideas anyone? I couldn't find any other place to post this so sorry if it doesn't belong in this section. Thanks for your time.
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CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
Helping friends find their way toward heaven
- Thread starter Chalky
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BarbB
I stand with my brothers and sisters in Israel!
First, Chalky, welcome to CF!
I sympathise with your plight - I'm in the same situation except with one lukewarm believer and 1 hardcore atheist. Fortunately, God touched my bro-in-law so my sis-in-law should fall soon. Don't know what to do about my friend.
I have been watching Kirk Cameron on TBN. The program has different ways to evangelize to all people. The last couple of weeks were about atheists. Their website is wayofthemaster.com . See if it has any advice for you!
I sympathise with your plight - I'm in the same situation except with one lukewarm believer and 1 hardcore atheist. Fortunately, God touched my bro-in-law so my sis-in-law should fall soon. Don't know what to do about my friend.
I have been watching Kirk Cameron on TBN. The program has different ways to evangelize to all people. The last couple of weeks were about atheists. Their website is wayofthemaster.com . See if it has any advice for you!
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Welcome to CF! 
Praying is the first and foremost responsibility I would give myself in your shoes. Pray, pray, and pray some more. No kidding. The Holy Spirit does His work no matter what we say or debate or what illustration-of-salvation we draw on a piece of paper. Pray. And have faith that God WILL answer you in power. He will!
Praying is the first and foremost responsibility I would give myself in your shoes. Pray, pray, and pray some more. No kidding. The Holy Spirit does His work no matter what we say or debate or what illustration-of-salvation we draw on a piece of paper. Pray. And have faith that God WILL answer you in power. He will!
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ByzantineDixie
Handmaid of God, Mary
You know...I caught that program once. I really liked it. They offered some great ideas to respond to those who say they believe they are going to heaven because they are "good enough"...how to show people who think they are good how really sinful they are.newlamb said:I have been watching Kirk Cameron on TBN. The program has different ways to evangelize to all people. The last couple of weeks were about atheists. Their website is wayofthemaster.com . See if it has any advice for you!
Chalky, Lutherans teach that some people need to first grasp that they are sinners--so we instruct them accordingly using the Law. Who needs a Savior if one does not think he/she is sinful? Once a person recognizes their sin...the Gospel message can be received because it is needed. Some folks however are more than aware of their sinfulness...they wallow in despair because of their sin. Any more Law messages may cause them to plunge into even deeper despair. These people desperately need to hear the Gospel message and be reassured in Christ's victory over sin, death and the devil.
Just remember...winning your friends to Christ is the job of the Holy Spirit. Keeping this in mind helps minimize any self-inflicted pressure. Pray for an opportunity to share your beliefs and then trust the Holy Spirit to work through you.
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de Unamuno
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I was an atheist most of my life (until a year ago). The things you DO NOT want to mention are as follows:
1) Hell and eternal damnation: This is the worst argument you can use on an atheist. In most cases, he will actually resent you for implying that he will be eternally punished for not believing in your God. Warning him about hell is the best way to turn an atheist against you (just spend time in one of the atheist forums, if you don't believe me).
2) Scriptural evidence: Atheists don't believe in the Bible, so it only hurts your case to try to use scriptural evidence. If the Bible is true, and if God really created this earth and everything in it, then you should have plenty of truth (outside of the Bible) to talk about.
On the other hand, if you really want to convert an atheist, try this:
1) Listen to him: Don't just fake it, really get in there an listen to what he believes. Don't try to attack what he says. Let him get it out, and then ask more questions. Look for all of the virtue in his beliefs. It is likely he believes in truth, in his fellow man, in fairness/justice, and in love. Above all, you HAVE to show him respect.
2) Expose his pain: Most atheists ignore their own pain. Many don't even know it's there. Pain from isolation, failed sexual relationships, even simple selfishness. Ask about his life, his past... look for where he hurts or where he may have hurt others. Remember, this is NOT about exposing sin, this is about exposing pain. Pain comes from sin, but an atheist only speaks the language of pain right now - so don't go Christianese on the guy with all your "sin" talk. Get him to recognize the pain, and you will have opened the door to begin calling it sin later.
3) Show him your glory: Live your glory. Let Christ shine off you. Atheists talk about an "expanded worldview", but the reality is they have no idea how isolated they really are. They are drawn to Christians who reflect Christ's love, and they will respect you more for the love you display than for your intellectual discourse or argumentative rhetoric. Truly being his friend will do more for you than engaging him in apologetics.
Anyway, you'll notice that the best way to engage an atheist is to go after the heart. Stay away from the "Christian talk" until he asks you directly to share your beliefs with him. By then, hopefully you will have earned his respect. Good luck!
1) Hell and eternal damnation: This is the worst argument you can use on an atheist. In most cases, he will actually resent you for implying that he will be eternally punished for not believing in your God. Warning him about hell is the best way to turn an atheist against you (just spend time in one of the atheist forums, if you don't believe me).
2) Scriptural evidence: Atheists don't believe in the Bible, so it only hurts your case to try to use scriptural evidence. If the Bible is true, and if God really created this earth and everything in it, then you should have plenty of truth (outside of the Bible) to talk about.
On the other hand, if you really want to convert an atheist, try this:
1) Listen to him: Don't just fake it, really get in there an listen to what he believes. Don't try to attack what he says. Let him get it out, and then ask more questions. Look for all of the virtue in his beliefs. It is likely he believes in truth, in his fellow man, in fairness/justice, and in love. Above all, you HAVE to show him respect.
2) Expose his pain: Most atheists ignore their own pain. Many don't even know it's there. Pain from isolation, failed sexual relationships, even simple selfishness. Ask about his life, his past... look for where he hurts or where he may have hurt others. Remember, this is NOT about exposing sin, this is about exposing pain. Pain comes from sin, but an atheist only speaks the language of pain right now - so don't go Christianese on the guy with all your "sin" talk. Get him to recognize the pain, and you will have opened the door to begin calling it sin later.
3) Show him your glory: Live your glory. Let Christ shine off you. Atheists talk about an "expanded worldview", but the reality is they have no idea how isolated they really are. They are drawn to Christians who reflect Christ's love, and they will respect you more for the love you display than for your intellectual discourse or argumentative rhetoric. Truly being his friend will do more for you than engaging him in apologetics.
Anyway, you'll notice that the best way to engage an atheist is to go after the heart. Stay away from the "Christian talk" until he asks you directly to share your beliefs with him. By then, hopefully you will have earned his respect. Good luck!
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