Why do Christians entertain atheists?

[PsychoSarah]

I've never heard of anything like that happening... if anything I thought it was becoming more socially acceptable to not be a Christian.

Understand that I believe that a large percentage of "American Christianity" is comparable to new age self help classes. If the majority of Americans are Christian as they say, then this country would be a lot different. Christianity has always been used by the higher ups to obtain social status.

My position is that even though you do not believe in Him, I still love you and would never condemn you.

Also, atheists are usually tied to anti status socialism which threatens the American money making machine.

Dude, I know some hardcore GOP atheists. Do not make political associations with atheism, atheists are as varied as theists. It would be like me stating all theists have the same political leanings, and I would love to see a Methodist react to being generalized into a political category that would have them in the same group as an orthodox Muslim.

Nope, I have even had stuff thrown at me before.

 

[ChristCameBackFromTheDead]

Dude, I know some hardcore GOP atheists. Do not make political associations with atheism, atheists are as varied as theists. It would be like me stating all theists have the same political leanings, and I would love to see a Methodist react to being generalized into a political category that would have them in the same group as an orthodox Muslim.

Nope, I have even had stuff thrown at me before.

I'm not categorizing anything. I'm looking at it from my own personal experiences with whom I've met and what I've come to understand from His word.

The atheist I've met were anarchist. They believed in equality of mankind and that we should be living in a commune. Strongly compassionate and wanting to eliminate hierarchy. Avid fans of Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, and Helen Keller.

I've never been introduced to the type of people who have treated you that way, but let me assure you that anyone Christian who would throw something at you for not believing is not acting according to scripture!

 

[HerCrazierHalf]

Prayer strengthens me.


My debates with atheists are very brief. If they are sincerely asking me about Christ, my spirit weeps with joy at informing them of how much God loves them.

If they want to have a debate about timelines and carbon dating, I don't participate.

Oh ok. In that case i see what you mean. There is nothing to politely debate if God's existence is basically assumed to be true.

 

[ChristCameBackFromTheDead]

Oh ok. In that case i see what you mean. There is nothing to politely debate if God's existence is basically assumed to be true.

I don't think it's just that. It's just that most atheist that I'VE encountered were extremely secure with their belief. I think that the best probably outcome that will come from a debate like that will be "agree to disagree" and has accomplished nothing.

 

[PsychoSarah]

I'm not categorizing anything. I'm looking at it from my own personal experiences with whom I've met and what I've come to understand from His word.

The atheist I've met were anarchist. They believed in equality of mankind and that we should be living in a commune. Strongly compassionate and wanting to eliminate hierarchy. Avid fans of Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, and Helen Keller.

I've never been introduced to the type of people who have treated you that way, but let me assure you that anyone Christian who would throw something at you for not believing is not acting according to scripture!

You are right, depending on scripture they should either be killing me or constantly nagging me until I am a believer (not helpful).

Well, the atheists you met aren't even representative of the most common atheist positions, much less all of atheism.

Don't confuse anarchists with socialists.

Lucky you, but how would you know? Were you ever really openly atheist?

 

[ChristCameBackFromTheDead]

I don't confuse the two

I was very openly atheist, I ran a website that was subject to a lot of attention. Was a radio DJ, hosted poetry sessions at large venues with atheism as the core value.

I used to be very well versed in politics and political theory and used it to shut down Christians as quickly as possible. I was not a nice guy.

I just don't understand where you received such harsh treatment, do you live in a small town?

Also, according to scripture, we would do neither of those

 

[PsychoSarah]

I don't confuse the two

I was very openly atheist, I ran a website that was subject to a lot of attention. Was a radio DJ, hosted poetry sessions at large venues with atheism as the core value.

I used to be very well versed in politics and political theory and used it to shut down Christians as quickly as possible. I was not a nice guy.

I just don't understand where you received such harsh treatment, do you live in a small town?

Also, according to scripture, we would do neither of those

No, I just live in a particularly religious area. In the United States.

Depends on what parts of scripture you read. The bible additionally says really weird things, like Jesus cursing a fig tree. I might have gotten the fruit wrong, but I think it was a fig tree.

Well, no wonder the atheists you met were extremists; moderate agnostic atheists such as myself don't care enough for atheism to be that much a part of our lives

 

[ChristCameBackFromTheDead]

No, I just live in a particularly religious area. In the United States.

Depends on what parts of scripture you read. The bible additionally says really weird things, like Jesus cursing a fig tree. I might have gotten the fruit wrong, but I think it was a fig tree.

Well, no wonder the atheists you met were extremists; moderate agnostic atheists such as myself don't care enough for atheism to be that much a part of our lives

“A man had ta fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ” Luke 13:6-9

That was a parable. Meaning we are only good as the fruit we produce. This is a spiritual parable.

Luke 13:3: “Unless you repent, you will likewise perish.”

Please do not let those Christians who treated you badly represent what it means to be a true Christian.

 

[PsychoSarah]

“A man had ta fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ” Luke 13:6-9

That was a parable. Meaning we are only good as the fruit we produce. This is a spiritual parable.

Luke 13:3: “Unless you repent, you will likewise perish.”

Please do not let those Christians who treated you badly represent what it means to be a true Christian.

I don't. Please don't let the antitheists give you the idea that the majority of atheists are argumentative about religion. Most could not give less of a crap, so of course you won't be hearing much from this quiet majority of atheists.

 

[Ana the Ist]

The majority of the debates and discussions I see are atheists against Christians. Why?

I've been through many stages of life. I went through many years being an atheist and just over all rejecting the glory of Him. There was nothing anyone could tell me that would change my mind other wise. As "deep" and "complex" as I wanted to appear, I was not open minded in the least to divinity. It was self pride that prevented me from really asking myself the truth. I was angry, that anger was directed towards mainstream Christianity. I nit picked every wrong action every Christian did and used that as a representation towards Christ.

I also believe the majority of mainstream Christians are doing it wrong, horribly wrong.

What benefit do we as Christians get from debating with atheists? Is it not clear that their heart is hardened with self pride? Are they coming to you with a general desire to understand what you believe and why? They are coming to refute you, to embarrass you, degrade you, and ultimately turn you away from your faith.

Brothers and sisters, why?

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? "2 Corinthians 6:14"

I understand our goal is to turn sinners into believers, but shouldn't we first ask ourselves if the person we are talking to is willing to have an open mind towards what you are saying? What their intent is? We should pray before we enter into such debates and find out if it's for the glory of God.

Just out of curiosity...why were you an atheist before? For what reason?

 

[ChristCameBackFromTheDead]

Just out of curiosity...why were you an atheist before? For what reason?

I couldn't bring myself to believe in it. It seemed like every other religious myth and was on the same standing as santa claus to me.

 

[Ana the Ist]

I couldn't bring myself to believe in it. It seemed like every other religious myth and was on the same standing as santa claus to me.

What made you think otherwise?

 

[ChristCameBackFromTheDead]

What made you think otherwise?

This is what I posted in another thread, I just felt compelled to give this person my testimony, hope it's what you're looking for!

I think we live in a world where spiritual conviction is becoming harder and harder to obtain. Every where we look we see our world being wall papered with materialism, self worth, self god, etc.etc.

I was an atheist for years, I also had times where I "wanted" to believe in God, but I could never bring myself to do it. Too much evidence against it, too many contradictions, and if I try to talk to God, I'm talking to myself and I feel like an idiot. Then my life was shattered, a very traumatic experience that literally turned my life upside down. I dealt with it the best way I knew how and it took a long time but I finally got to a point where I could "function". In my mind, I did this all by myself! I beat the system, I proved to myself that I could overcome anything with the power of me.

I still felt empty inside, I was on auto pilot, and being a father, I felt like I wasn't giving what I needed to give my children. But I was "over" the incident, or so I thought.

Something inside me told me to bring my oldest boy to church, so I did. Nothing amazing happened, just more or less me trying to convince myself that I believed, not for myself but for my kids sake. Then one day I decided I was going to give every inch of my mind and body into a prayer to uplift my pain and sorrow, again, not for me, but for my kids. Then my world came crashing down on me again, something moved inside of me, a physical movement it felt like. After that, well... God uplifted me. I can't explain it. But at that moment, he revealed himself.

Long story short, you have to be truly ready to commit yourself to God then he will respond. Or at least that's what I think.

 

[quatona]

I was very openly atheist, I ran a website that was subject to a lot of attention. Was a radio DJ, hosted poetry sessions at large venues with atheism as the core value.

Atheism as a core value?? I have no idea how that is even possible.

I used to be very well versed in politics and political theory and used it to shut down Christians as quickly as possible. I was not a nice guy.

Do you think you are a nice guy now?

 

[quatona]

What benefit do we as Christians get from debating with atheists? Is it not clear that their heart is hardened with self pride? Are they coming to you with a general desire to understand what you believe and why? They are coming to refute you, to embarrass you, degrade you, and ultimately turn you away from your faith.

I take it you when writing this you weren´t aware you were not posting in the ChristiansOnly section where you are sheltered in the community of like-minded people and can make uncharitable assumptions about non-believers to your hearts desire, going unnoticed by those whom you are judging harshly?

I understand our goal is to turn sinners into believers

...and you are projecting your attitude and goals on non-believers?

, but shouldn't we first ask ourselves if the person we are talking to is willing to have an open mind towards what you are saying?

Oh, the irony.

What their intent is?

It has never been my intent to convince believers that no Gods exist. Whereas you have just emphasized that your goal is to convert non-believiers to your beliefs.
And you think you are in the position to call others "not open minded"?
That´s rich.

 

[ChristCameBackFromTheDead]

Atheism as a core value?? I have no idea how that is even possible.

A radio station that wasn't dedicated to God


Do you think you are a nice guy now?

I don't know, it depends on if people consider me a nice guy or not. Back then I myself didn't consider myself a nice guy, I have no past judgment on my current self.

Although, I try to live as humble as possible because I know my salvation was not earned, it was a gift

 

[quatona]

I don't know, it depends on if people consider me a nice guy or not. Back then I myself didn't consider myself a nice guy, I have no past judgment on my current self.

So in the meantime you gave up judging your present state?

Although, I try to live as humble as possible because I know my salvation was not earned, it was a gift

I am trying a lot of things, too.

 

[ChristCameBackFromTheDead]

I take it you when writing this you weren´t aware you were not posting in the ChristiansOnly section where you are sheltered in the community of like-minded people and can make uncharitable assumptions about non-believers to your hearts desire, going unnoticed by those whom you are judging harshly?




...and you are projecting your attitude and goals on non-believers?

Oh, the irony.

It has never been my intent to convince believers that no Gods exist. Whereas you have just emphasized that your goal is to convert non-believiers to your beliefs.
And you think you are in the position to call others "not open minded"?
That´s rich.

I believe I misunderstood what this website was about entirely. This entire time has been nothing but atheist bashing Christians and trying to make them look foolish.

And so you know, I've been on both sides of the fence, have you? Do you know the glory of God's love? Do you not know that it is our purpose to make unbelievers believe?

I've been open minded the majority of my life, how blessed am I that I found Him.

So the mistake is mine, I was under the impression this website was for Christian fellowship, instead it is nothing but Christians defending themselves.

The origins of life itself is left to faith, rather through Him or belief in the big bang.

God Bless, hope everyone finds what they need.

 

[quatona]

A radio station that wasn't dedicated to God

Moderating a radio show that was "not dedicated to God" and having "atheism as your core value" are miles apart.
Personally, I am an atheist, and atheims neither is a core value nor provides me with values or core values. I derive my values from what I beiieve in, not from what I do not believe in.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

The majority of the debates and discussions I see are atheists against Christians. Why?

I've been through many stages of life. I went through many years being an atheist and just over all rejecting the glory of Him. There was nothing anyone could tell me that would change my mind other wise. As "deep" and "complex" as I wanted to appear, I was not open minded in the least to divinity. It was self pride that prevented me from really asking myself the truth. I was angry, that anger was directed towards mainstream Christianity. I nit picked every wrong action every Christian did and used that as a representation towards Christ.

I also believe the majority of mainstream Christians are doing it wrong, horribly wrong.

What benefit do we as Christians get from debating with atheists? Is it not clear that their heart is hardened with self pride? Are they coming to you with a general desire to understand what you believe and why? They are coming to refute you, to embarrass you, degrade you, and ultimately turn you away from your faith.

Brothers and sisters, why?

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? "2 Corinthians 6:14"

I understand our goal is to turn sinners into believers, but shouldn't we first ask ourselves if the person we are talking to is willing to have an open mind towards what you are saying? What their intent is? We should pray before we enter into such debates and find out if it's for the glory of God.

remember where you are. it is not an ideal place for someone to find the truth, if they can even find it at all anywhere, if they even bother to look for the truth any time.

yhvh does promise that anyone who seeks him will find him. a lot of parameters and conditions and descriptions and instructions are included, which he says no one can know unless he grants it from heaven . still, he always honors his word, and he is still the only one who can grant a person life and life eternal by grace through faith in yahushua and that completely not of human doing but a truly gracious gift from the Creator.