Points from an athiest

[looksgood]

I was reading an article here http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070510/ts_csm/cbelief_1 and found some of the quotes very wonderful. I think sometimes we would do well to listen to those in the world when they tell us what they need to see. Granted there are quotes such as "It would take a mirical" to believe, but that is to be expected from someone who is set on denial of the truth.

But these are the quotes I liked:

"explains why he is an atheist and gives churches advice on what it would take to reach nonbelievers"

This should beg the christian to understand that even the athiest is asking us for help!

"The interviews show Christians immersed in their own culture"

True that we are not of the world...but even paul was "all things to all people". I wonder at times if we look people in the eye and say "You need to trust Jesus as your lord and savior" only to have them thinking "Why?"

During church services, they often fail to explain traditions or rituals, which leaves visitors confused. "Why is the structure of the service always the same?" Mehta wonders.

We were never called to sing, preach, then give an alter call. We were called to go out and preach (proclaim) in any way we could.

When a healing is mentioned in one Pentecostal service, though, he reacts strongly. If that man can heal, he says, "why is he ... hanging out in this building?... Get out there, then! There are people who need your help."

Feel a little sting? It's because this is right.

The question that just came up for me again and again ... is, What does the way Christianity is practiced today have to do with the ... words and deeds" of Jesus?

Think about it.

"Christians for quite some time have been creating events and trying to draw people into our little box, and we call that 'outreach,' "

Funny, Christ said to go out to them...we are trying to bring them to us! Ever been talking with someone and said "I want to invite you to church"? Is it because we think the church is the only place to hear the gosple? Wouldn't it be better to say, I want to tell you a story about a man who died for you...before you even knew him.

 

[InHisPeace]

The question that just came up for me again and again ... is, What does the way Christianity is practiced today have to do with the ... words and deeds" of Jesus? Think about it.

This is a very good question, one that I've been asking myself lately.

Thanks for the post, looksgood!

 

[Solidlyhere]

Looksgood quotes: "The interviews show Christians immersed in their own culture"

This world is made for the atheists.
They have THEIR own culture too (including magazines).

God's world is made for Christians.

If atheists do not wish to have God, then they can live their Life without Him.
After they die, they will see the err of their ways.

I had an atheist friend, Mike.
He was SO proud that he didn't believe in God.
He attended many atheist get-togethers, where they get to brag to each other about not believing in God (among other things).
I went to one of them. I listened. I laughed to myself. I felt sorry for them.
I listened to 20 minutes about the Big Bang (yawn).
And, many of them were hooked on Conspiracy Theories.

Like-minded people generally hang-out with each other.
Christians do too.

 

[Churon]

I think you are right. We need to become daily life missionaries - all of us. We need to live our life in a way that we actually represent Jesus (and NO - stickers do NOT do that). Especially in the way we behave. I think that this often ministers more to people than a miracle, which does not mean that we are not to go out and perform them, but we need to be different than all these occult people in the world. How else should they know the difference between a witch and a Christian (Besides the holy spirit ministering to their heart). I just believe that the only difference can't be whether the holy spirit ministers to someone's heart. We should be recognised by our lifestyle as well as the signs and wonders following right?

 

[looksgood]

as well as the signs and wonders following right?

You just said a mouth full. I am learning right now from God why we do not see this today. So far I have been shown things that let me know that we are not where God wants us in terms of how we live. That is why we see so few signs and wonders.

 

[Churon]

I actually think that the whole talk of how we need to see every Christian to come to maturity is far more important than we generally assume. Most Christians are happy if the leader(s) of their Church is powerfully annointed and they experience a couple of things from time to time. But the bible says that the parts we do not see are actually MORE important than those which we see. We need more than all of the five fold ministry to come to maturity - we need the body to come to its end ... after all the five fold ministry is just a tool to achieve the actual goal right?

When I read in the book of acts, how the love and fear of the lord in the early church impacted the apostels, I begin to understand what is needed and how we all affect what happens with the men on the front.

 

[Wordgazer]

I for one am very happy to read about this open dialogue between an atheist and Christians. I think it's good for both atheists and Christians to listen, really listen, to one another.

But I'm feeling a bit like I got slapped up the side of the head at the moment, because of a really snide comment one of my atheist friends made about the apostle Paul. Trying to forgive-- I must realize she doesn't really understand what reverence for the word of God is. . .

So-- both sides need to be careful of one another's cherished thoughts and beliefs, or any discussion will turn into accusations and hurt feelings.

 

[WorkerForChrist]

The main thing that I got from reading that article was that most atheists would come to know God if God allowed them to have everything the way that they want it.


Quote... "Zeroing in on "what it would take to convert me," he says a church would need to appeal to his sense of reason, challenge him to think more deeply, and allow for asking questions. "I wasn't confronted with a new line of thinking that challenged my commitment to scientific empiricism," he writes. Also, he'd want a church where "men and women lead on an equal basis." Most important, he states, what would convince him would be "a miracle – an undeniable miracle that has no natural explanation."

Guess what, God is God. He is the boss.

 

[JPPT1974]

God is indeed the Boss
The BIG BOSS of all bosses
Never, ever forget that!

 

[Lightbearer3]

I sent him a guestbook entry of a picture of Jesus holding a man in His arms; today He sent me a note and told me to keep my faith to myself. He also told me that he liked CF because the people here always respond to him quickly and are nice to him. He said that he has friends on other sites that hardly ever say anything to him, one he even pays to be a part of. His other friends in life are the same towards him, not calling him back or calling back after weeks have gone by.

So I sent him a P.M and ask him: Why do you think that these people on CF are this way? It is because of the love of God within them that reaches out to all. I compared us to his "other" net friends and those in his life at the moment...he is here for a reason and I do feel that he knows we love and care for him that's why he is still here...searching for God and real friends.

I also let him know that I would share my faith as long as I breathed and reminded him that I did not deny him the same right to say he feels like God does not exist.
The subject about God came up today because he was asking me who I thought I would vote for in the upcoming election...I told him I would base my vote on their stands in the past and that I would not vote for those who supported abortion or things against God's Word. I don't get "preachy" with him and I am not in the habit of Bible thumping when I respond to him.

However, I did tell him that those here will testify of their faith and that it is unlikely that they will stand down their faith when talking to him and that if this upsets him that perhaps he would be happier at another site.

I allow him the freedom of speaking what he believes while upholding what I believe, I know this is right, for Jesus said not to hide our candle under a basket but to hold it up for all to see.

I basically try to just be his friend, but I find it offensive when I am asked a question and when I answer it with biblical grounds I am told: Keep your faith to yourself.

Now I know those of you who may feel you're more spiritual than me may have handled this differently, but I have been communicating with him for weeks now and have been very gentle and patient with him, so please don't make a snap judgement of me,

God Bless

 

[Floatingaxe]

I sent him a guestbook entry of a picture of Jesus holding a man in His arms; today He sent me a note and told me to keep my faith to myself. He also told me that he liked CF because the people here always respond to him quickly and are nice to him. He said that he has friends on other sites that hardly ever say anything to him, one he even pays to be a part of. His other friends in life are the same towards him, not calling him back or calling back after weeks have gone by.

So I sent him a P.M and ask him: Why do you think that these people on CF are this way? It is because of the love of God within them that reaches out to all. I compared us to his "other" net friends and those in his life at the moment...he is here for a reason and I do feel that he knows we love and care for him that's why he is still here...searching for God and real friends.

I also let him know that I would share my faith as long as I breathed and reminded him that I did not deny him the same right to say he feels like God does not exist.
The subject about God came up today because he was asking me who I thought I would vote for in the upcoming election...I told him I would base my vote on their stands in the past and that I would not vote for those who supported abortion or things against God's Word. I don't get "preachy" with him and I am not in the habit of Bible thumping when I respond to him.

However, I did tell him that those here will testify of their faith and that it is unlikely that they will stand down their faith when talking to him and that if this upsets him that perhaps he would be happier at another site.

I allow him the freedom of speaking what he believes while upholding what I believe, I know this is right, for Jesus said not to hide our candle under a basket but to hold it up for all to see.

I basically try to just be his friend, but I find it offensive when I am asked a question and when I answer it with biblical grounds I am told: Keep your faith to yourself.

Now I know those of you who may feel you're more spiritual than me may have handled this differently, but I have been communicating with him for weeks now and have been very gentle and patient with him, so please don't make a snap judgement of me,

God Bless

The only snap judgment I could possibly make is:

Good going, girl!

You are showing the love of Christ!

 

[Wordgazer]

Lightbearer, it does occur to me that if he wants people to keep their faith to themselves, he shouldn't have joined a Christian forum.

I mean, this is where people share their faith with one another. And you can no more not share your faith than not breathe-- all you can do is be careful not to be pushy with it, not to make him feel like you are trying to force it on him. If you're just sharing what's in your heart, he has no reason to object. I say just keep doing what you're doing.

 

[looksgood]

LOL, it's like a thirsty man going to the river and then cursing the river for being so refreashing.

Listen people...it is true than many many MANY athiest seem to foam at the mouth with their willing ignorance. But it is good to understand they are doing it because they are already pricked at the heart.

 

[Lightbearer3]

LOL, it's like a thirsty man going to the river and then cursing the river for being so refreashing.

Listen people...it is true than many many MANY athiest seem to foam at the mouth with their willing ignorance. But it is good to understand they are doing it because they are already pricked at the heart.

I really like the pic in your sig.,
May I copy it?


He did PM me and apologise and say that I took it wrong, what he said; but I find it hard to take what he said any differently. I mean "keep your faith to yourself" is pretty blunt and clear, I think he knows he stepped over the line.

I did not respond again after his apology, I wanted to give myself and him some space and room to think.

Thanks you guys, I really value every soul...

 

[Lightbearer3]

I hate confrontation and contention, it makes me nervous on the inside, so confronting him on this wasn't pleasant for me....I felt I just had to respond seeing that his request for me to "stand down" my faith while allowing him the freedom to express his was not equal or fair...of course often in God's kingdom things are not equal or fair, loving those that hate us, blessing our enemies, etc., but I do believe, standing by my faith in God is appropriate (in a calm manner).

 

[psalmody]

LIGHTBEARER3, KEEP STANDING GIRL! IF THE HOLY SPIRIT WASNT TUGGING ON HIM, HE WOULD HAVE SLAMMED THE DOOR AND STOMPED OFF ALREADY!
THE WORD SAYS TO "...AND HAVING DONE ALL TO STAND, STAND THEREFORE..." EPH. 6:14. I KNOW THAT IS ONLY A PARTIAL QUOTE AND THERE IS MORE TO THE VERSE, BUT THIS IS APPROPRIATE.
THE OP IS VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING TO SAY THE LEAST, AND IS PRICKING AT SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN TUGGING ON ME FOR A WHILE. WHY ARENT WE "OUT THERE"? WHY ARENT WE MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE?
THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS, BUT YOU GET THE IDEA.
PSALMODY

 

[looksgood]

I really like the pic in your sig.,
May I copy it?

Sure, I actualy made it.

 

[Lightbearer3]

Sure, I actualy made it.

Thanks...very original

 

[Wordgazer]

I know this thread's been quiet for a few days, but I've kept thinking about what the guy in the article said:

Most important, he states, what would convince him would be "a miracle – an undeniable miracle that has no natural explanation."

I have wondered at times why God doesn't just do a miracle for someone like this. But thinking about it, I don't know if any miracle that happened to this guy would be something he would call "undeniable." I have several friends and acquaintances who are atheists, and my experience is that most atheists, if confronted with a miracle, would find some way to explain it away or at least to doubt it. "It was just a coincidence." "The healing was psychosomatic." "It may have been a hoax." "The person wasn't really that sick to begin with."

Most atheists have a great deal of what we would call "faith"-- faith that nothing occurs that is unexplainable in terms of physical laws. Presented with a miracle, they would not accept it; they would question it, doubt it, find some way, if not to explain it, at least to believe that it does have some "rational" explanation they just don't know about yet.

When it comes right down to it, real, hardened unbelief is just as much an act of "faith" as belief is.

It's sad. I hope God will soften this atheist's heart, and the hearts of those like him.