How to approach atheists

[znr]

You have no idea what prompted Anderson to post his thread. For all you know he picked a fight with a bunch of Athiests, got his toes stepped on, and then came here to mourn. That sort of thing happens ALL the time. Someone will march into Athiest-land, take them on, and then become baffled when things don't work out well.

It's not as if Athiests, in real life, go around to where Christians are and pick fights. They don't.

 

[writtenword]

Wait, you mean people who disagree with Christians don't barge into a Christian-only forum and tell the Christians off with profanity-laced comments? Are you sure about that? Based on the fact that Andersen's assertion was literally proven before our very eyes within mere hours, I would beg to disagree.

You act as if I don't know what I'm talking about because I really don't know how atheists are. Feel free to keep assuming away about me.

Every time I check this thread it's gone downhill a little more. I expect to see more mod clean up in the morning. As for me, I think I'll move on before I get sucked into an argument.

 

[znr]

Well, the fact is, you do not know the complete story that led up to the OPs post, that's just a fact; none of us know it. I made no assumptions about you personally (but I can if you need that). What I did was make an observation.

I do think its awfully convenient (for anyone here in this thread) to use one incident to try and prove that the ops assertions about atheists is consistent, as if one very blatant troll represents the whole of how athiests behave.

Frankly I am sick of seeing people use rules to hide and enable their superior self righteous behavior. NO, I am not saying you are doing this. But it does happen. It happened here in this thread.

Wait, you mean people who disagree with Christians don't barge into a Christian-only forum and tell the Christians off with profanity-laced comments? Are you sure about that? Based on the fact that Andersen's assertion was literally proven before our very eyes within mere hours, I would beg to disagree.

You act as if I don't know what I'm talking about because I really don't know how atheists are. Feel free to keep assuming away about me.

Every time I check this thread it's gone downhill a little more. I expect to see more mod clean up in the morning. As for me, I think I'll move on before I get sucked into an argument.

 

[seashale76]

OP: Exactly what are you doing that you know who the atheists are upon every encounter? Are you handing out Chick tracts and trying to argue them into the kingdom of heaven at a local university or something?

Unlike a lot of people in this thread I actually know and am friends with a lot of atheists and agnostics. Most don't care if other people are believers. Most already have exposure to Christianity in some form and have 'heard the good news' so to speak. Many are atheists because they have never had any sort of encounter or whatnot that has lead them to believe in the existence of God. Some are angry and bitter due to negative experiences with religion- true. However- if you have ever had any negative experiences with religion you might have a little more compassion for what those particular folks are going through. Once you've seen or experienced some of the negative beliefs and groups that exist out there- you can't really even blame anyone for rejecting it.

Atheists who post on Christian websites do so for a variety of reasons. Some have an interest in religion even though they aren't religious. Some actually come to get involved in current events and politics discussions and generally ignore the religious ones. Sure- some post because they are spoiling for a fight and others post with the intent to get others to see their side of things and possibly de-convert. However- the internet is hardly representative of most atheists. The majority aren't posting on-line regarding their non-belief.

There are a few things I suggest to you: Concentrate on your own walk. Pray for others. It's even best if you don't announce to them that you're doing so.

"Acquire a peaceful spirit, and around you thousands will be saved." ~St. Seraphim of Sarov

^If you're like this, they'll come to you.

 

[AndersenKC]

Hey guys, sorry if I've been away for awhile. I've been doing some thinking on the subject. Many of you have wondered why I posted on such a topic. Well a few reasons

1. My heart has been heavy on this subject, lobe ever since I had a discussion with an atheist just this past summer. I debated this atheist face to face across the table. It was the hardest debate I've ever had. I plainly laid out in front of him what I believed and why. Even the notion of hell. I said it in the most honorable and respectful way possible. All I remember is at the end we were able to agree to disagree. But I ended the friendship, because his atheism was very out front, and I couldn't stand to see the things he would say about Christians. He posted a lot of bad things on Facebook, from a humanist movement website, that were hurtful. I then realized where the true heart of atheism lies. It's not a very good place when you see it exposed for what it is.

2. I was mourning for the Christians who have been persecuted over their beliefs, and the ones who have fallen astray due to the strengthening atheist/communist mindset in this country. I believe that atheism and communism go hand in hand ultimately and are helping to destroy this country. But I am also mourning for the atheist's lost souls, because it pains me to think of what they will experience after they die as an atheist. I wish there was something I could do for them, but I don't know what. If I was an atheist, and I went my whole entire life not believing in a God, and then I die and suddenly end up in hell. What a horrific revelation that would be. To that point, I don't wish any atheist that fate. I just find witnessing to an atheist to be the most draining and difficult task. That is why I'm taking a break from looking at any atheistic debates. I need to surround myself with good solid Christian brothers and sisters. I've been in the wolf's playing ground for far to long and have come away with many scars.

3. Another reason posted this thread here, is because I know I could count on you brother's and sister's in Christ to discuss through the issues. I view this as spiritual warfare, and the discussions we have here are in the safe zone where we can plan and support each other. We will all have our disagreements in how to approach atheists, but as long as the discussion remains healthy, I think we all will benefit talking among ourselves. If an angry atheist sees this thread, he may try to start discontent. I don't want that, remember we followers in Christ are following the truth. The atheists are following a lie. We have a right to denounce their lies in here. This is our turf. As long as we do it with civility.

 

[QueSeraSera]

Well, I can still read my Bible I can still go to church without getting arrested which is good. I've been affected by atheists through public school and the internet. I've seen some of the most vile things said to Christians on YouTube. After awhile, I started really resenting the atheist philosophy, because of the amount of damage and pain it can cause. I will say it has shaken my faith but never destroyed it. In my serious times of doubt, God has always been there to grab my attention to not loose faith.

I have had a little bit of the opposite happen . If an atheist is visciously mocking .Sure that hurts my feelings .But I don't encounter that nearly as much and Christians attacking other Christians . That is what has shaken my faith at times.

The kind that have their set of beliefs and if yours differ in any way they will question your faith . Or the kind that will demonstrate 'unlove" in a situation something that flies in the face of how Jesus would have us treat another person . Or how they say we are all supposed to live but its their cherry picked version .

I will find myself thinking if this is what is being a Christian is then I'm not so sure I am one .

Then I remember I'm probably guilty of the same thing . That would make me a hypocrite . What Jesus clearly was disgusted by .

Atheist don't ruffle my feathers so much as some other Christians do is my point . Especially a lot of atheist are actually quite nice people . They may state their non belief but not in a way that is mocking mine . Then you move on .

But yes avoid the you tubes .

 

[writtenword]

There are some Christians in this world who will fight harder to protect sinful behavior than they will fight to minister to someone in the body. That is a big problem these days. They only bother to speak up when it's to call someone a hypocrite.

 

[Lollerskates]

There are some Christians in this world who will fight harder to protect sinful behavior than they will fight to minister to someone in the body. That is a big problem these days. They only bother to speak up when it's to call someone a hypocrite.

Let the church say Amen.

 

[theophilus40]

But I ended the friendship, because his atheism was very out front, and I couldn't stand to see the things he would say about Christians. He posted a lot of bad things on Facebook, from a humanist movement website, that were hurtful.

Did you consider how he might react to your ending the friendship? It could increase his hostility to Christians and make it even more unlikely that he will ever respond positively to the gospel. Is there any way you could maintain a friendship with him and simply avoid reading what he says on Facebook or any other places where he attacks Christianity? If you show friendship and keep praying for him God might change his heart so that he will be willing to listen to you at some time in the future.

Besides, we live in a culture where it is impossible to avoid hearing people say bad things about Christianity.

But I am also mourning for the atheist's lost souls, because it pains me to think of what they will experience after they die as an atheist. I wish there was something I could do for them, but I don't know what.

One thing you can do is pray for them. In fact nothing else you do will be effective unless you spend time praying first. One way might be to visit an atheist forum and simply read the posts so you can get to know the individuals and their needs and then pray specifically for them. I do that a lot on the forum of thethinkingatheist.com.

I need to surround myself with good solid Christian brothers and sisters.

This is something we all need, but one purpose of this association should be to build us up spiritually so we can go into the world to share the gospel with those who are unsaved. At the transfiguration Peter wanted to build tabernacles and remain there but at the end Jesus and the disciples had to go down the mountain because there were people there who needed their help.

I've been in the wolf's playing ground for far to long and have come away with many scars.

You obviously need the healing that comes from Christian fellowship but a time will come when you need to go back into battle.

 

[writtenword]

In all honesty, when someone truly hates Christianity, they are not exactly scarred for life because someone unfriends them on facebook, especially if they know darn well that they were being rude. I don't believe that God calls every believer into the specific ministry of meeting atheists online.

This thread is very similar to Andersen saying he is afraid of pit bulls because a pit bull just viciously attacked him, and his own fellow believers come out saying "oh that's silly, you must have been bothering that dog or something because I have a pit bill that's never bitten anyone." It can't be that Andersen is telling the truth based on his personal experience - he simply has to be either mistaken or lying. Then, of course anyone else who speaks up to say "yeah I know a few pit bulls myself who are scary," they also have to be either lying or mistaken.

Meanwhile, all an atheist has to do is claim that they were once hurt by a church, and everyone rushes to validate them. People are all over here suggesting that Andersen and other believers don't know what they're talking about, while at the same time saying without a thought that 'most' atheists have truly been victimized. It can't be that an atheist would exaggerate abuse to defend their sin. It has to be that the Christian is exaggerating to defend themselves.

Maybe it's possible that both experiences are valid. Maybe there are a mix of pit bulls, some being friendly, some being not friendly, and people can only react to the ones they see in their lives. Maybe we could live in a world where believers actually believed each other.

Is that too much to ask?

 

[theophilus40]

There is one other thing we should remember when we encounter hostile atheists. There was a time when Saul of Tarsus was just as hostile to Christianity.

 

[writtenword]

It's absolutely true that Saul/Paul went from a persecutor to a saint. But Stephen and the other early apostles didn't pretend that Saul was the victim, they didn't tiptoe around him, they didn't just politely nod when he said vicious things about them, they didn't apologize to him for all the supposed evil Christians who disillusioned him, and most of all they didn't attack other believers to protect him. Paul was so disliked by the early church that Ananias was afraid to go visit him.

 

[seeingeyes]

It's absolutely true that Saul/Paul went from a persecutor to a saint. But Stephen and the other early apostles didn't pretend that Saul was the victim, they didn't tiptoe around him, they didn't just politely nod when he said vicious things about them, they didn't apologize to him for all the supposed evil Christians who disillusioned him, and most of all they didn't attack other believers to protect him. Paul was so disliked by the early church that Ananias was afraid to go visit him.

Sometimes being a persecutor and being a Christian are one in the same.

 

[writtenword]

Sometimes being a persecutor and being a Christian are one in the same.

Sometimes they are and sometimes they are not. Humans are a mixed bag. Some atheists are nice and some of them are not. Either way, tossing out stereotypes doesn't help.

 

[Lollerskates]

Sometimes they are and sometimes they are not. Humans are a mixed bag. Some atheists are nice and some of them are not. Either way, tossing out stereotypes doesn't help.

Yea, I think it is important to remember that Paul came from a life of being a pharisee Christian murderer. So, even though God was working through him, it wasn't like he went from his former life to a benevolent, amicable, soft-spoken guy. He was fiery and abrasive because of how fiery and abrasive he was as a pharisee. And, he rubbed people the wrong way a lot of times - sometimes to no harm, and sometimes insultingly. Plus, he probably was on the borderline of being arrogant (judging by the way he commonly refers to His mission title: apostle, disciple, etc.) And, given the fight the remaining 11 apostles didn't want him as the new one.

 

[forGod1]

Atheism is the belief that God is a liar.

 

[seashale76]

Atheism is the belief that God is a liar.

No, it isn't. You can't believe that God is a liar if you don't believe in God.

a·the·ism
ˈāTHēˌizəm/
noun
1. disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods.
synonyms: nonbelief, disbelief, unbelief, irreligion, skepticism, doubt, agnosticism; nihilism
"atheism was not freely discussed in his community"

 

[forGod1]

Atheists say things like there was time before space.. it says in the Bible that on judgement no one can deny creation. This means they know and are just tirelessly convincing themselves they're right.

 

[QueSeraSera]

Thus since you, OP, identified as Charismatic, honestly I'd have to say that you'd best leave it to your more liberal Christian brethren to talk to atheists.

I agree.

 

[writtenword]

Why are liberals more qualified to witness to atheists? That makes no sense. And what's with the assumption that a converted atheist would become a moderate Christian at best?