Reaching out to the hard to reach

[G1000]

Over the years I have been part of many online communities, and something they all have in common is atheism. Im not sure why, as the forums are usually based on tech, but it is just always a persistent problem, and one people are vocal about. (on the atheist side)

I have always been one however to get caught up in the debates, because I want to help them see the light, but in the process I almost always have fell into a dark hole. They will give me "proof" that I cannot defend against and it hits me hard and has really done a number on my faith.. I always go to the Bible, keep going to church and just hope and pray that the faith I once had will return. It usually does, and each time stronger as I have been through these major debates over five times now.

This last time however, I felt stronger than ever in my faith, and actually won a couple people over in the midst of the debate. I have done more research and therefor have been able to defend against attacks I couldn't defend against before, and attack in ways I couldn't earlier.

Up until today it has been great but some of the stronger atheists of this community are not happy with me and are trying hard to convince me im wrong. I have been sent whole websites of "Bible contradictions" that I really want to be able to defend, and prove them wrong but can't.
I didn't say it to anyone, but I had to stop reading as I felt my faith declining into that spot im all too familiar with.


So what can I do? Is it better to avoid it, but know it is there, or to read it and hurt my faith with what I do not yet know.. I can never win these people over if I cannot defend against their attacks, and If i don't know their backing for their reasoning, how can I?

Im very lost at this point on what to do, so any advise would be great.

Thanks.

 

[Criada]

Very few people will come to Christ through intellectual argument, they need to be drawn by the Holy Spirit. If they see a difference in you, even on an internet board, if you show love, compassion, a failure to return insult for insult, then your witness will draw them to Christ far more than the most carefully crafted argument ever could.
So, talk to them, pray for them, but don't let them destroy your faith. You will never understand all there is to understand, because it was created by a mind so much bigger than our own that we can never grasp it all.
Try to hold on to the peace that comes with that, and don't be afraid to say that you don't know the answer sometimes.
It's less important to know how than to know Who

 

[blessedmomof5]

well i have learned, that WE cannot save anyone, only God can who He has called.... i have tried to do what you do, and think about who you are dealing with unbelievers?
so we take a look at Hebrews so that you may be Strong again in your Faith......

Hebrews 11

By Faith

1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.



see we believe Yet have not seen.
see they need to see in order to believe, there is what makes us apart from them.
I hope that helped you, in someway.
they are just trying to fill your mind with things so you lose Faith, but We know what faith is.....

 

[the.Sheepdog]

Argument and so called logic is all they have and that is their god. Dont play their game. The house can always win.

Just be you and tell them that you know in your soul more than anything you have ever known and their facts only make you sad for them. Then be pleasant and happy for you know the Lord!

They cannot know unless and until they are called and the binders pulled from their eyes. The desperately wicked will be left deluded and dumb as a box of rocks.

 

[RuthD]

Over the years I have been part of many online communities, and something they all have in common is atheism. Im not sure why, as the forums are usually based on tech, but it is just always a persistent problem, and one people are vocal about. (on the atheist side)

I have always been one however to get caught up in the debates, because I want to help them see the light, but in the process I almost always have fell into a dark hole. They will give me "proof" that I cannot defend against and it hits me hard and has really done a number on my faith.. I always go to the Bible, keep going to church and just hope and pray that the faith I once had will return. It usually does, and each time stronger as I have been through these major debates over five times now.

This last time however, I felt stronger than ever in my faith, and actually won a couple people over in the midst of the debate. I have done more research and therefor have been able to defend against attacks I couldn't defend against before, and attack in ways I couldn't earlier.

Up until today it has been great but some of the stronger atheists of this community are not happy with me and are trying hard to convince me im wrong. I have been sent whole websites of "Bible contradictions" that I really want to be able to defend, and prove them wrong but can't.
I didn't say it to anyone, but I had to stop reading as I felt my faith declining into that spot im all too familiar with.


So what can I do? Is it better to avoid it, but know it is there, or to read it and hurt my faith with what I do not yet know.. I can never win these people over if I cannot defend against their attacks, and If i don't know their backing for their reasoning, how can I?

Im very lost at this point on what to do, so any advise would be great.

Thanks.

Just be yourself and like that.

 

[G1000]

Well, I have always had this desire to help people see that light and clarity in life that they are missing. I just see these mass groups of atheist groups and want to be able to tell them they are wrong before its too late.

Unfortunately these people have strong minds, and don't budge easy. I just have a hard time leaving someone to fall like that.

 

[blessedmomof5]

But if they leave you doubting your faith in Christ, then they are not for you to be dealing with, they are stronger then you. Have faith in God and Tend to His flock that have wandered, and go find His lost Sheep.....

Well, I have always had this desire to help people see that light and clarity in life that they are missing. I just see these mass groups of atheist groups and want to be able to tell them they are wrong before its too late.

Unfortunately these people have strong minds, and don't budge easy. I just have a hard time leaving someone to fall like that.

 

[writergirl4god]

G1000 - It may be that your desire to reach atheists is God-given. Some people ARE drawn to the faith through rational thinking (like Josh McDowell) and those who try to reach people that way are called apologists.

From Wikipedia: "Christian apologetics is a field of Christian theology that aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defend the faith against objections, and expose the perceived flaws of other world views. Christian apologetics have taken many forms over the centuries, starting with Paul of Tarsus, including writers such as Origen and Augustine of Hippo, and continuing currently with the modern Christian community, through the efforts of many authors in various Christian traditions such as C.S. Lewis. Apologists have based their defense of Christianity on historical evidence, philosophical arguments, scientific investigation, rhetorical persuasion and other disciplines."

If you feel led to do so, I think that growing and ministering as an apologist can be a calling, and there are resources that can help you find the answers. (Josh McDowell is a good one, actually.) I also have a book called 'When Skeptics Ask' by Ronald Brooks and Norman Geislerthat was really helpful when I had a conversation with an atheist friend. And if you Google 'Ravi Zacharias International Ministries', you will find a lot of help there. (I'm not able to post links, or else I'd do that.)

HOWEVER - when it starts to sap your strength and draw you away from your faith, then it's time to take a step back and renew yourself. You're doing well to keep praying and going to church - but it also seems that you may be similar in your thought patterns to the people you're trying to reach. That is NOT an insult - there is nothing wrong with being a very rational thinker - I'm just saying that by not giving up, by finding the answers to these questions, you may be strengthening your OWN faith as well. The good news is that we do not have to be afraid of questions, because God IS REAL, and the proof of that does exist.

I am by no means an apologist - I don't like to debate, it makes my brain hurt and I stay away from it when possible - but I WILL defend my faith rationally when asked to do so, because I believe in 1 Peter 3:15, which says: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (The next verse tells us to do it with gentleness and respect, so I'm mindful of that too.) Even so...there are some people who will simply will not be saved. My atheist friend knows where I stand, we have had the discussions, but in the end we have had to agree to disagree. We are friends, I pray for him, and I hope that I have planted seeds and am continuing to do so by example...but that's the best I can do and now I have to leave his fate in God's hands. We can point others to Christ, but ultimately salvation is between each person and God.

I hope this is helpful.

Your sister in Christ,
Jess