How to Persuade an Atheist to Become Christian
Redbox Rules are simple here. Be nice and no cursing.Stay on topic and be polite. A persuasive discussion of faith can be very interesting when two persons' ideals are as diametrically opposed as the atheist's (nonbeliever) and yours as a Christian. If you want to discuss your faith with a nonbeliever, it's very important to plan how you would begin approaching the subject tactfully and talking about it in a personable way, not sparring or dueling, but communicating and your faith and your friends views on what you say... and responding pleasantly.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Approaching the Subject
1Put yourself in your friend's shoes. Consider how you would respond, if someone were attempting to persuade you to reject your beliefs. It's not just difficult to "high pressure sale" anyone about new understandings, especially faith-based ones, probably useless. If a friend is casually interested in talking with you on matters of faith and religion, then do it gradually, taking occasions for mutually convenient opportunities to discuss faith and their inquiries in a personable way. Never lecture your views to an unwilling participant, or you'll give your friend the impression that you are rude and your technique is unacceptable. This is avoidable.
- Many atheists may not consider their personal belief system to be a negotiable part of who they are. They are more concerned with their behavior, with being a reasonable person, than what "faith" or ideology that action stems from.
- Always speak from a place of good news and love, not judging. Rather than trying to convert someone to your religious beliefs by winning an argument, Christians believe it's more important to show friendship unconditionally. It's that simple kind of personal, loving regard that can appeal to others. We may think of "souls", but they want to admire and be admired/loved like friends and nice family.
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2Choose a convenient place and time to have a dialog on matters of faith. The middle of a debate or argument probably isn't a time to have gracious persuasion in matters of faith. Likewise, the workplace, the busy dinner table, or large group is not the right place to discuss your good news or offer of a different life with a nonbeliever. If the topic comes up, set aside another time to discuss some important matters ("oh, interesting stuff, a sort of discussion over coffee or such, about what you and I think about today's issues... ways of seeing success and progress in whatever we do... No. Not selling. Not buying or investing money, no. Let's have a talk and some good discussion, okay? No, not a debate.") in depth and in semi-private (over a home kitchen table, at a sit-down sandwich deli, in a park or coffee shop, or such).
- Never blind-side a nonbeliever friend with your views and attempt to override their disclaimers (don't ignore protestations: "I wasn't ready for this..., not now; hey, what's the idea?"). If it comes up, it comes up. But, don't rush into an inconvenient conversation, or it'll come across as confrontational and unfriendly (a trap).
3Have a genuine arms-length conversation. Any time you're discussing matters of faith, it's important to have a genuine conversation, not a list of sins and accusations, argument, or preachy/shock-jock blither. If you hope to convince anyone of your point of view, you have to first be ready to calmly take a genuine interest in that person's point of view. If you find yourself pushing to talk much more than patiently listening, this is probably not the genuine or acceptable; so why bother. This isn't a lobbing of rhetorical thought-bombs into enemy territory. This is a conversation with someone you care about enough to discuss your reason for believing.
- Be open and honest at all times. You could end up doing irreparable damage to your friendship, if you let intense emotions simmer underneath the surface to direct the conversation. It should always be civil, positive and cordial. Never cut the friend off, accuse him or her of lying, being prejudiced or saying malicious things to make a point. An idea can be edgy, if it's dispassionate and worth talking about. Discriminating tastes in food and in life's issues, for some good stuff, means you have an angle (a stand), a point of view.
4Don't try to convert your friend or to present ultimate ideas (don't ask for conclusions or offer stark dilemmas of Heaven versus Hell. ..). The best way to get someone interested in Christianity is to present faith in your personal, fulfilling life. Show the Christian life as attractive to others and they'll be more interested, curious to learn more about the way you live your life as a Christian.
- You're not arguing facts. You're discussing faith. That's the best you can do. The way to do this isn't by trying to badger or prod someone to convert, or by engaging them in a "tic-for-tat" of competitive debate about the virtues of your faith (but you need to be ready to answer how your faith is not about arguing the "fallacies" or good points of the world's religions or various past or present civilizations and their deities).
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It's a very childish way to try to convert an atheist. If it works then the person was not a true artiest. In fact if this cornball stuff works they were already Christian. This looks like it was written as a guide for 9th graders.
Was it too loving, passive, and hope filled for you?
It was too childish for me. I revise my estimation of the level it was written for down to 4th graders.
Hey, you forgot a few.
1) use a tragedy that killed 149 people to get in a political jab.
2) claim that you're a true Christian and anyone that doesn't believe like you isn't a Christian at all.
3) claim that dems can't be Christian.
4) hatefully insult the political opposition on a daily basis.
5) wear the cloak of self-righteousness while being a total fucking fraud.
6) judge others on an hourly basis.
7) claim to be a live and let live type of person while constantly acting otherwise.
8) be as hypocritical as you possibly can be.
9. Be totally blind to your own hateful actions, day in and day out.
10. Preach Jesus when you have zero moral standing to do so.
YEP.
Religious plans to convert Atheists to Christianity articles are bound to draw my attention and derision. But if it makes you happy to think such a thing is possible with the childish garbage in this article, well then by all means carry on.
You have my blessing.
Why do you find it necessary XX, to proselytize your Christian religion? If it was so wonderful, I would think that all of the world would be Christian.
What you are saying in reality, is that if your not Christian, than you are less than I am.
Robert, you are right. But also Kavika, et al, have the right to state their displeasure. Same freedom applies.
No Mod has said anything either way, there is no issue. (Hence why this comment isn't in purple)
Really XXJ? This is how you determined to testify to the gospel of Christ? A Christian's testimony is only as good as the actions and words they display.....yet you wonder why many here ridicule the gospel you purport to represent. Credibility is your albatross.
I didn't see any reference to carbon dating, measuring the background radiation of the cosmos, nor even a rudimentary reference to mathematics. That must be in the advanced chapters on how to convert an atheist.
Congratulations, that statement just made you the biggest hypocrite on NT C4P. What arrogance you have. (Another major Christian failing BTW)
Hell, I feel like I've lost about 40-IQ points just reading the seeded article Randy.
Time to go pull out one of my physics books. That should make me feel better.
To hell with the Ark, they still can't figure out where Cain's wife came from....
In a nutshell...
It appears you are unable to view the cause and affect relationship between what you post and the written "conversation" on your part. Many have taken you to task regarding your personal views of the articles you post and your Christian values - they do not appear to reconcile. An article filled with vile and hateful remarks regarding our current President is just that, vile and hateful. Wrapping it in your Christian courtesy and civility towards others doesn't negate the posting. This is why I posted you have a credibility issue.
Certainly it's your choice how you'd like to be viewed here, my concern is the potential harm or being a stumbling block to those you wish to dialogue with in the "religion & ethics" portion of NT.
Courtesy and civility is your way of stating vile things, and managing to skirt the CoC. I have defended you, and will continue to do so, as a moderator. But your messages of hate are not consistent with what I believe to be Jesus' teachings-- and I'm a Christian, too.
Too, I believe that atheists are also within God's Love-- it is not up to me to question their reasoned beliefs. We should ALL respect each other's beliefs. God shows many different faces to many different peoples. I say, Leave Everyone Just Be.
My response to things like this is:
Time to go pull out one of my physics books. That should make me feel better.
I grab George Orwell. Usually Animal Farm.
Lifts my IQ right back up to where it should be.
To hell with the Ark, they still can't figure out where Cain's wife came from....
I've never been any religious Christian to tell me the answer to that too. Adam and Eve must have had daughters and they "married" their brothers. I guess incest and incestious pregnancy was quite popular back then. It worked for Lot after his wife was turned to a pillar of salt.
Lot and his Daughters
32"Come, let us make our father drink wine, and let us lie with him that we may preserve our family through our father." 33So they made their father drink wine that night, and the firstborn went in and lay with her father; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. 34On the following day, the firstborn said to the younger, "Behold, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drink wine tonight also; then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve our family through our father."
"I was drunk and they took advantage of me! That's how I got both of my young daughters pregnant! I don't even remember doing it! Honest!" Just try to tell that one to a the judge today.
...promotion of an alternative view point is neither hateful nor vile. My courtesy and being polite and civil is just who I am.
Having addressed the issue of your courtesy and politeness in my former response, I must ask if your being obtuse or flat out ignoring the issues myself and Dowser have raised. Perhaps you don't care how your Christianity is perceived, it grieves me.
Posting an opinion article that bears false witness (part of the big 10) without a personalresponse is usuallydeemed asimplied agreement. So no matter how kindly you respond you end up bearing false witness along with the author.
The steps of this "how to" and the responses within the NT community would indicate the audience is not readily accepting or listening. It appears to haveincited hostility and anger.
And ridicule.
Before "resting your case", please respond to my inquiry...
.....I must ask if your being obtuse or flat out ignoring the issues myself and Dowser have raised.
Dowser and I, both Christian woman, have asked you to reconcile the articles you post with the love of Christ. You see for us it's not a lefty, rightydivide we see but perhaps a fruit of the spirit issue which is whyI await your civil and courteous response.
Do us the courtesy of response.
If this article came from you Lynne, or possibly Dowser, I doubt that it would have generated the same level of hostility as both of you seem to live by all aspects of your teachings.
This entire thing reminds me when I was working down in the oil fields of Arkansas. People would cuss a black man's mother in her grave, but come Sunday morning in church, they all became Lilly white with all sins forgiven. C4P rolls the same way uncaring of the hypocrisy in thought word and deed.
Dear FLY, I don't live by it all the time, but I'm trying. I think that's all we can do-- try.
Ultimately it's no one eles damned business if or why I'm an atheist. So why should they bother and why should I listen to any of the garbage they're trying to sell me? They are the Fuller Brush Men of society. They come to my door and as soon as the first few words are out of their mouths I say "Not fucking interested" and gently close (OK, slam) the door in their face. And I have a huge heavy door (was specially made for this house). Makes a helluva wham you can hear all over the neighborhood! Go try to get someone else to buy your crappy products.
There is no god. Never has been. It's all a magic show for children. Grow up. You'll be much happier.
Oh and there ain't no Santa Claus either...sorry.
Thanks for kinds words FLY and although I don't speak for Dowser, I don't think either of us would have seeded such an article in NT.From the title on, it elicits avisceral response from many andalthough allowed, Iquestion it's purpose. It ends up being a self-righteous, prideful piece atbest....perhaps that was the intent.
I'm left with the idea you view Christian behavior that seeds the following type articles, without your denunciation, as appropriate and should no way diminish your testimony.
Obama's Not a Christian in Any Meaningful Way
There are others, I chose this one because it was personallymost offensive and no response was ever posted from you.Are you not able to see the disconnect between the article above and this one as it relates to being a Christian?
Not much dialoguing going on here. Did you post to see if Christians on NT would agree with the approach? I don'tnecessary see anyissues with the "steps", more often than not, it's the overzealous presenter of thegospel people reject.
I don't "reject" god. I can not reject something that does not exist. So, by all means, continue on.
This is just a personal aside, but I believe that C4P,or XX, or whatever their identity, is making a good faith effort to conform to the CoC, especially with the non aggressiveness of the comments.
I think you guys should start to discuss the issues on their merits and the argumentation provided, instead of any other metric.
This is, of course, just my opinion.
Carry on...
So, I think you and the others should try to show your side of the story objectively, and let the chips fall where they may. You present your evidence, they present their evidence and opinion.
Go from there.
XXJ,
Still awaiting your response. Have the courtesy to not disrespect me.
Red Jacket Defends Native American Religion, 1805
by Red Jacket
The Senecas, members of the Iroquois Confederacy, fought on the side of the British in the American Revolution. Red Jacket, also known as Sagoyewatha, was a chief and orator born in eastern New York; he derived his English name from his habit of wearing many red coats provided to him by his British allies. After the hostilities, as the British ceded their territories to the Americans, the Senecas and many other Indian peoples faced enormous pressure on their homelands. Red Jacket was a critical mediator in relations between the new U.S. government and the Senecas; he led a delegation that met with George Washington in 1792, when he received a peace medal that appeared in subsequent portraits of the Indian leader. In 1805 a Boston missionary society requested Red Jackets permission to proselytize among the Iroquois settlements in northern New York State. Red Jackets forceful defense of native religion, below, caused the representative to refuse the Indians handshake and announce that no fellowship could exist between the religion of God and the works of the Devil.
Friend and brother; it was the will of the Great Spirit that we should meet together this day. He orders all things, and he has given us a fine day for our council. He has taken his garment from before the sun, and caused it to shine with brightness upon us; our eyes are opened, that we see clearly; our ears are unstopped, that we have been able to hear distinctly the words that you have spoken; for all these favors we thank the Great Spirit, and him only.
Brother, this council fire was kindled by you; it was at your request that we came together at this time; we have listened with attention to what you have said. You requested us to speak our minds freely; this gives us great joy, for we now consider that we stand upright before you, and can speak what we think; all have heard your voice, and all speak to you as one man; our minds are agreed.
Brother, you say you want an answer to your talk before you leave this place. It is right you should have one, as you are a great distance from home, and we do not wish to detain you; but we will first look back a little, and tell you what our fathers have told us, and what we have heard from the white people.
Brother, listen to what we say. There was a time when our forefathers owned this great island. Their seats extended from the rising to the setting sun. The Great Spirit had made it for the use of Indians. He had created the buffalo, the deer, and other animals for food. He made the bear and the beaver, and their skins served us for clothing. He had scattered them over the country, and taught us how to take them. He had caused the earth to produce corn for bread. All this he had done for his red children because he loved them. If we had any disputes about hunting grounds, they were generally settled without the shedding of much blood. But an evil day came upon us; your forefathers crossed the great waters, and landed on this island. Their numbers were small; they found friends, and not enemies; they told us they had fled from their own country for fear of wicked men, and come here to enjoy their religion. They asked for a small seat; we took pity on them, granted their request, and they sat down amongst us; we gave them corn and meat; they gave us poison in return. The white people had now found our country; tidings were carried back, and more came amongst us; yet we did not fear them, we took them to be friends; they called us brothers; we believed them, and gave them a larger seat. At length, their numbers had greatly increased; they wanted more land; they wanted our country. Our eyes were opened, and our minds became uneasy. Wars took place; Indians were hired to fight against Indians, and many of our people were destroyed. They also brought strong liquor among us; it was strong and powerful, and has slain thousands.
Brother, our seats were once large, and yours were very small; you have now become a great people, and we have scarcely a place left to spread our blankets; you have got our country, but are not satisfied; you want to force your religion upon us.
Brother, continue to listen. You say you are sent to instruct us how to worship the Great Spirit agreeably to his mind, and if we do not take hold of the religion which you white people teach, we shall be unhappy hereafter. You say that you are right, and we are lost; how do we know this to be true? We understand that your religion is written in a book; if it was intended for us as well as you, why has not the Great Spirit given it to us, and not only to us, but why did he not give to our forefathers the knowledge of that book, with the means of understanding it rightly? We only know what you tell us about it. How shall we know when to believe, being so often deceived by the white people?
Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit; if there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agree, as you can all read the book?
Brother, we do not understand these things. We are told that your religion was given to your forefathers, and has been handed down from father to son. We also have a religion which was given to our forefathers, and has been handed down to us their children. We worship that way. It teacheth us to be thankful for all the favors we receive; to love each other, and to be united. We never quarrel about religion.
Brother, the Great Spirit has made us all; but he has made a great difference between his white and red children; he has given us a different complexion, and different customs; to you he has given the arts; to these he has not opened our eyes; we know these things to be true. Since he has made so great a difference between us in other things, why may we not conclude that he has given us a different religion according to our understanding. The Great Spirit does right; he knows what is best for his children; we are satisfied.
Brother, we do not wish to destroy your religion, or take it from you; we only want to enjoy our own.
Brother, you say you have not come to get our land or our money, but to enlighten our minds. I will now tell you that I have been at your meetings, and saw you collecting money from the meeting. I cannot tell what this money was intended for, but suppose it was for your minister; and if we should conform to your way of thinking, perhaps you may want some from us.
Brother, we are told that you have been preaching to the white people in this place. These people are our neighbors; we are acquainted with them; we will wait, a little while and see what effect your preaching has upon them. If we find it does them good, makes them honest and less disposed to cheat Indians, we will then consider again what you have said.
Brother, you have now heard our answer to your talk, and this is all we have to say at present. As we are going to part, we will come and take you by the hand, and hope the Great Spirit will protect you on your journey, and return you safe to your friends.
Source: Daniel Drake, Lives of Celebrated American Indians, Boston, Bradbury, Soden & Co. 1843), 28387.
''Red Jackets forceful defense of native religion, below, caused the representative to refuse the Indians handshake and announce that no fellowship could exist between the religion of God and the works of the Devil.''
This section states how Christians felt about other religions.
It would be wise to read the these words XX. You, or some Christians do not need to preach toothers what they should believe, or not believe.It seems that you, and some Christians are incapable of understanding or acceptingothers beliefs or non beliefs.
How utterly true!
How to Persuade an Atheist to Become Christian Talk To Someone With Different Views, Politely
Most of those points could be used to lessen the friction and start a productive conversation about any issue where the views are starkly different.
When I was living in Missouri, I had a friend, John, with whom I had many in depth and intellectually fulfilling conversations about economics, politics and religion. I am an atheist, liberal libertarian. John is a conservative, Southern Baptist minister. Not a common pairing that one would think was capable of producing a fulfilling conversation. So how was this possible?
One reason we could have these discussions, I think, was the fact that we found several points of common ground. Among these, he was from the east coast as was I, so we were both displaced from the areas where we grew up and shared a certain cultural dissonance. This dissonance was not bad, it was more of an understanding of the world from a certain perspective, and a noting of the differences that were attributable to society and culture.
Another was the ability to conduct the conversations in such a way as to give the credit to the speaker of having a reason for feeling the way that they did, and the recognition that there is more than one possible way to look at the same set of facts, and therefore, more than one possible conclusion.
Of course we had differences, but that was to be expected. What was not expected was the agreement on some issues and the cordiality that was extended to and by both he and I.
I'll second that!
Red Jacket's words bring me to quiet tears as the truth screams in my mind. Lives, families destroyed in the name of belief and non-belief, pitting man against man when what we seek is the respect "to be" and become the best of ourselves.
Kavika, thank you for posting this poignant writing.
Dowser, MM, Lynne, it's one of the most eloquent and powerful speech's that I have had the honor of reading. I keep a framed copy of it.
I understand why you do. It is a beautifully written truth!