What do you think about Non-Christians?

[ApocryphaNow]

As an atheist, I'm familiar with all sorts of stereotypes about Christians; many of which are not particularly flattering (they are: boring, uneducated, homophobic, racist, sexist, condescending, stubborn... etc.).

I don't take much of this very seriously. Personally, I am of the opinion that many of the generalizations are false when applied to the majority of Christians, but certain individuals/segments can be found to fit each one, just as can be said for nearly all things. I try to at least interact with somebody before I too hastily categorize them.

However, that is not the point. I want to hear what you have to say about Non-Christians in general and atheists in particular. If you were going to meet somebody you had never seen/meet/heard about before and you were told they were an atheist, what impression would that give you of the person? This doesn’t have to be all negative just because my examples where, but I anticipate that is where this will go, and I am fine with that.

That said, I'm not anticipating this thread catching on, but if it does, let's try to keep it civil and respectful. Furthermore, I'm not looking for a discussion about what it means to be Christian, just what YOU have to say about people who aren't.

 

[SlaafVirChristus]

I do not jugde any person. Not by their beliefs or any other reason whatsoever. I pray for them, and I love them in a christian manner. I was actually engaged to an atheist a few months ago. I really loved her very much, despite her beliefs. I didn't try to change her either.

 

[clayharryman]

I do not jugde any person. Not by their beliefs or any other reason whatsoever. I pray for them, and I love them in a christian manner.

, brother! Let me tell you a story that really opened my eyes about the whole believer/non-believer thing:

Let me begin by saying that until January 30, 2002, I was the type of Christian that gives Christians a bad name. I was the hypocrite that led so many away from Christ. I really didn't know Jesus before that day. I only knew what I'd been taught in church and from friends, but nothing really sank into my heart.

Well, an Agnostic friend and I had bought a couple of pizzas and were walking through downtown San Diego munching on them. A homeless man came over and asked if he could have some. My response was an emphatic "no!" After all, I'd bought this with my hard-earned money. Least he could do is find a job, right?

My friend, without a second thought, gave the man his entire pizza. Here I'm supposed to be the Christian, and the Agnostic is the man's neighbor. Today, that event haunts me.

How do I feel about Atheists and Agnostics? I love them just as I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. You won't change your mind if I brow-beat you. In fact, you'll likely only become more defiant.

How do I prove to you there's a God? I don't know. But tell me where you have problems and I'll answer your questions the best I can.

 

[Adstar]

I meet athiest every day they come in all shapes and colors and personalities. I do however feel sorrow for them and hope they will come to embrace The Messiah Jesus.



All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[NothingButTheBlood]

I was an atheist until I was 20. I don't think anything of them except they are not saved.

 

[ChristianWife]

I love all people, Athiests included.

 

[Victory of the Cross]

Religion doesn't make a person, You can have all these qualities both good and bad, in all people, BTW. I will try to get you some blessings you look a little short on them

 

[Key]

As an atheist, I'm familiar with all sorts of stereotypes about Christians; many of which are not particularly flattering (they are: boring, uneducated, homophobic, racist, sexist, condescending, stubborn... etc.).

I don't take much of this very seriously. Personally, I am of the opinion that many of the generalizations are false when applied to the majority of Christians, but certain individuals/segments can be found to fit each one, just as can be said for nearly all things. I try to at least interact with somebody before I too hastily categorize them.

However, that is not the point. I want to hear what you have to say about Non-Christians in general and atheists in particular. If you were going to meet somebody you had never seen/meet/heard about before and you were told they were an atheist, what impression would that give you of the person? This doesn’t have to be all negative just because my examples where, but I anticipate that is where this will go, and I am fine with that.

That said, I'm not anticipating this thread catching on, but if it does, let's try to keep it civil and respectful. Furthermore, I'm not looking for a discussion about what it means to be Christian, just what YOU have to say about people who aren't.

This is a Tricky Question really.

I boils down to the person. End of story.
Just because people of a Group may have traints that seem to be the say, the person themselves outweighs everthing else.

Will they respect me, will they listen, what type of attude they have, Etc. Are all factors, and they are of greater weight then simply their Beliefs.

Two People they Believe in Jesus the same, can seem to come from diffrent religions because of the type of person they are, not what Creeds they holds.

God Bless
Key

 

[stumpjumper]

However, that is not the point. I want to hear what you have to say about Non-Christians in general and atheists in particular. If you were going to meet somebody you had never seen/meet/heard about before and you were told they were an atheist, what impression would that give you of the person? This doesn’t have to be all negative just because my examples where, but I anticipate that is where this will go, and I am fine with that.

That said, I'm not anticipating this thread catching on, but if it does, let's try to keep it civil and respectful. Furthermore, I'm not looking for a discussion about what it means to be Christian, just what YOU have to say about people who aren't.

I think 1 John probably sums up how Christians are supposed to feel about others: [1 John]"If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.[/bible]

You can not walk in the light and have bad feelings for anyone. We cannot love God whom we have not seen if we do not love our neighbors as ourselves.

Personally, I know a good many atheists and they can just as good a person as a Christians. I know un-loving atheists and I know un-loving Christians. I will be honest though and say that I have found that if people truly do try to be a good Christian they can make themselves a better person. I'm sure the same can be said for someone who wants to be a really good secular-humanist but whatever.

I am here to do good to others what the others are here for I do not know.

 

[XfacTor]

I, too, try to enter all relationships with an open mind, but I am human. While I try not to judge - as a former agnostic myself - certain things do pop in my mind when I meet an athiest. Of course I've been proven wrong, just as you have with the generalizations about Christians.

The things - some good, some bad - that I think of when I hear "athiest" are arrogant, condescending, thinker, probably relatively intelligent, dogmatic, puts faith in scientific THEORIES but laughs at me for putting faith in evidence that points to God, doesn't realize they bring their own presuppositions to the table but dogs me for bringing mine, etc.

Ultimately I feel sorry for them and hope God has mercy on them, bringing them to faith in Him like He did for me.

 

[FireOfGod]

As an atheist, I'm familiar with all sorts of stereotypes about Christians; many of which are not particularly flattering (they are: boring, uneducated, homophobic, racist, sexist, condescending, stubborn... etc.

Oh how true that is... I'm quite fond of Non-Christians, really. They are a lot nicer and a lot more open than most Christians, honestly.

 

[Key]

I always find it funny when people say "I try not to judge" when truth be told, I walk into every meeting judging someone. As the person they are, how they treat me, how they talk to me. I judge them on the merits I can see about them. And I make the judgment if I want to continue to meet them again.

However, there are things I do not nor can I judge someone on. I can not say if someone is saved or not saved. That is not for me to decide because I have no control of someones soul.

I have found that in every group, you will find those that you enjoy the company of, and those that you do not enjoy the company of. It is as simple as that.

God Bless
Key.

 

[ApocryphaNow]

I have found that in every group, you will find those that you enjoy the company of, and those that you do not enjoy the company of. It is as simple as that.

I concur.

...doesn't realize they bring their own presuppositions to the table but dogs me for bringing mine, etc.

When we spend most of our time with people who agree with us, it becomes very frustrating to have to consider that other people don't see things the same way. Part of the human condition, I suppose.

Oh how true that is... I'm quite fond of Non-Christians, really. They are a lot nicer and a lot more open than most Christians, honestly.

Haha, I'm happy you think that, but I wonder if you have run into any of the real attack-dog atheists out there. Some of us can be quite militant. Every group has a few members that shame the rest.

 

[thepianist]

As an atheist, I'm familiar with all sorts of stereotypes about Christians; many of which are not particularly flattering (they are: boring, uneducated, homophobic, racist, sexist, condescending, stubborn... etc.).

I don't take much of this very seriously. Personally, I am of the opinion that many of the generalizations are false when applied to the majority of Christians, but certain individuals/segments can be found to fit each one, just as can be said for nearly all things. I try to at least interact with somebody before I too hastily categorize them.

However, that is not the point. I want to hear what you have to say about Non-Christians in general and atheists in particular. If you were going to meet somebody you had never seen/meet/heard about before and you were told they were an atheist, what impression would that give you of the person? This doesn’t have to be all negative just because my examples where, but I anticipate that is where this will go, and I am fine with that.

That said, I'm not anticipating this thread catching on, but if it does, let's try to keep it civil and respectful. Furthermore, I'm not looking for a discussion about what it means to be Christian, just what YOU have to say about people who aren't.

To be honest with you, it really saddens me - deep inside - when I meet someone who doesn't want to know Jesus. My prayer is that they will be led by the Holy Spirit to the realization that without Jesus as their Saviour they will go to hell and be in continual torment when they die.

 

[FireOfGod]

Haha, I'm happy you think that, but I wonder if you have run into any of the real attack-dog atheists out there. Some of us can be quite militant. Every group has a few members that shame the rest.

Oh believe me, I have. But some Christians can be just as bad, or worse...

 

[FriarTuck]

I have plenty of athiest friends it makes theological conversations interesting. I've also had many run ins with the "militant" Atheists I have love for them all. I do hope that they will come to know and love Jesus through the love I show them ( or any other way that they might come to him) I don't bash people over the head with my bible though.

Peace be with you!

 

[calidog]

same as christians

 

[Redneck Crow]

My opinion is that non-Christians are mistaken.

Unfortunately, often Christians bear part of the responsibility for that. Some of the worst witnesses against God that I have ever personally encountered have been Christians.

Christians are no closer to perfection from their own works than athiests. And boy, do we all prove that daily. It is only His grace which He gives us when we accept Him as Savior which saves us, certainly none of our own piety or accomplishment.

 

[hlaltimus]

Quote:

However, that is not the point. I want to hear what you have to say about Non-Christians in general and atheists in particular

I have met with atheists who left me with the impression that they were clearly intelligent people, but that their intelligence was too particular of an intelligence. They generally have a good use of their minds, providing the area of their study is in the realm of the comprehensible and that is why I say that their intelligence is too particular. They are something like a child, (and we are all children relative to the perfect sum of all attainable knowledge,) who understands how to toss a little stone into the pond so as to produce an effect of successive rings of waves upon the water, but haven't the slightest idea of the cause of the conherency of atomic matter. I don't understand the coherency of atomic matter either....No one does. But why should I restrict my actions only to those fields of persuit of which I have a fairly entire grasp of it's feasibility? We wouldn't get much done at all with such a philosophy. Atheists are intelligent people who have limited that intelligence by making the scope of their minds the guage of what is attainable knowledge to them. This is a mistake in the general persuit of knowledge.

 

[Redneck Crow]

I've been an athiest, I'm now a Christian. I was an atheist far longer than I have been a Christian. I didn't become more or less intelligent. I know stupid Christians and stupid athiests as well as extremely bright people in both camps. I know ethical and unethical Christians and athiests.

Athiests are people. They're a mixed bag, just as Christians are.