What does a christian say to an atheist?

Question

Now that I'm in college, I'm exposed to many different cultures and religions. One of those I still cannot understand is atheism. How can someone simply not believe in a higher being!? I am christian, but I have a high respect for many different religions, except those who do not have religion at all. I find myself trying to grasp for the words to say to these people. It's difficult to find something logical to say to them that could possibly get them to listen to you. So, if you are religious, what do you say to atheists without trying to dehumanize them?

Answer 1

In your Christian walk you will encounter many people who aren't of your faith, or have no faith or belief at all. I used to think, wow, how would I talk to all these people, I don't want anyone to be lost. The Lord showed me that I am not called to talk to everyone, but who the Holy Spirit shows me and opens an opportunity for me to.

What I am called to do is live my life Christ like, so that someone can see a difference in me. In how I handle day to day living. That someone will know that I walk by faith not by sight.

We testify so much just by living in the fruits of the Spirit. Then when you talk to someone about Christ, it will plant a seed, or you can water a seed planted by someone else.

No one is saved by looking for Jesus, people are saved by the beckoning of the Holy Spirit. Jesus comes looking for us!!!!

Praise God in all things, Be blessed

also, when it comes to a conversation about the Lord, God will give you the words to say, you may not even know that you have said something that will change someone's life.

Answer 2

You know, when I started college I felt much the same way, so I joined a debate club and really studied the logic behind atheism. I really thought, as you do, that the existence of god was self-evident, and truly felt sorry for the poor cretins that couldn't see what was all around them. I mean, for god's sake, did they think the flowers made themselves!? So, I set out to save these poor misguided souls...

So began my misadventures. There is no need to get into the details, but what ultimately happned is that I realized there is absolutely no logical or reasonable basis for religion. None. Zip. Zero. Faith is the antithesis of religion. Trying to use reason and logic to convert an atheist to religion is a fools errand, though in the process you may just enlighten yourself...

Here is how the brainwashing that is religion works: your brain, when it is young and pliable, is indoctrinated with 'facts' about the nature of reality. As your brain develops, it accepts or rejects new facts based on whether they jive with what you think you already know. By the time you hit college you have built up a huge network of facts based on that first indoctrination. Subjectively, this reality you have built seems self-evident, but objectively, to someone like me that has been there, it looks like the most common mental illness known to man.

You really, really need to ask yourself whether your beliefs are based on logic and reason, or faith and subjective experience. Once you admit that your beliefs are actually a 'feeling' that is intertwined with your very personality you will see that it is futile to try to convince a logical person of your reality, and that by even trying you are in danger of bursting your own shiny little bubble and exposing yourself to the harsh realities of...well, reality.

So, if you don't want to lose those warm fuzzies (that will really come in handy when you get old and frail) my advise would be to get these ideas out of your head and leave us miserable wretches out here in the cold, harsh world with no bubble to protect us.

But seriously, if a person really had a choice between a nice big happy guy in the sky and rotten stinking oblivion don't you think they would choose Jesus and the tooth fairy? The thing is, they really don't have that choice because a logical person loses the abilty to deceive themselves. No matter how hard they try to convince themselves that 1+1 = 3 they just won't be able to do it. Some things you just can't unlearn. Let that be a warning to you...there is no turning back once you shine the light of reason into the dark corners of your childhood indoctrination...

Answer 3

Just say HI!, or How are you doing today?...actually it should not bother you how/what people believe or not, they are still a Human.
Try not to be evangelizing right off the bat, let them approach you if they want to ask you, since I think you wear you religion on your sleeve, then you can go about your sermon.
That is a problem with Christians, they want to convert you at the getgo, that is probably why they get a bad rap...actually I am a Humanist, and have heard it all from evangelical christians, That is why I turn my thoughts to something else, then what they are saying.
I do not need to be reborn, I was born once, that is enough for me.

Answer 4

God can change hearts but you can plant seeds. Atheists actually has to have a lot of faith to believe that there is no Creator. So they have faith.
All atheists are not bad people. I think that have hard time to crasp that why they should obey some God who they do not see. They do not like the idea that some great God is telling them what to do.

The great reward for those who come to Christ, repent, and surrender to Him is primarily a gift. "The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" ( Rom 6:23 )God forces no one into hell; people choose to be over there, and ultimately God grants that choice. Even in this, their freedom is not taken away. God has no choice but leave those who despise Him and His Son in the outer darkness of hell, for the door is locked from inside.

When Jesus knocks your door, the handle is inside. You can open it or you can choose to not to let Him in. He gives you many opportunities to open the door, basicly until you die. And then the deal is sealed. He respects your choice.

Why is it possible that a Holy and Just God can send people to hell? He does not send them to hell. If they end up there they cannot blame anybody else than themselves. They do not have to be bad people, they can actually be very good by world's standards, doing good deeds. Jesus says that he is the way and the truth and the life, no one will enter to my Father's house except through me. If they do not accept Jesus as their redeemer, there is no other way.

I would not start about hell right away but that is the bottom line, that as we have here on earth a lot of choices, what comes to eternity, there are only two choices, hell and heaven. And this is not just for atheists, it goes for everybody. Be sensitive, because these people do not let Jesus to wash their sins away and admitting, confessing that they are sinners. They do not recognize Moral Law Giver. And when there is sin in your life, that hinders your relationship with God. Even when Jesus, in a human form, was crucified, He did not feel God's presence because He had the world's sins on His shoulders. They do not feel God, they do not understand how wonderful it is when your heart is joyful in Christ.

Just patiently plant seeds. Pray for wisdom. Remember, even Jesus could not make everybody to see the truth. They have to be willing to see it. Stay strong in Christ. He will give you words and tools and opportunities to spread the Gospel. God bless!

Answer 5

Ask them about the weather. Ask them how they're feeling today. Smile and look them in the eye. You probably believe that God created human beings with free will. Respect God for having done that. And respect the people who, as a function of their God-given free will, haven't yet found God.

If God were really so horrified about atheists, y'know, he would have wiped them off the face of the earth a long time ago. But God apparently loves them and wants them to live. So, do the same: love them, and let them live the way they choose.

Answer 6

My son is in college and he just says it like it is and most time people will come around asking questions. It is comical as he is so funny anyway.
Just be yourself, remember they will be watching you. The best thing you have going for you is your testimony, lifestyle and what Christ has done for you.

We do not understand how someone can't believe because we do believe and have the personal relationship w/God. Try to remember when you did not believe. For some, we were too young, others are new believers.

God promises to give you the answers...just pray...and find other believers to pal around with.

Answer 7

I am very religious and I say nothing to an Aetheist about religion. They have a right to have no religious views just as I have the right to my views. I consider proselytizing rude and unwelcome. Leave the aetheists alone. If the world had more aetheists there would be less war.

Answer 8

My son and his girlfriend do not believe. He has a Darwin symbol on his car, a fish with legs. He wants me to be happy he found someone to believe as he does. They both are wonderful people. He has the right to his own feelings. I, personally, would rather believe in God and he not exist than not believe and he does exist. My life is better because I believe. I don't preach to my son and he does not preach to me. If he would ask me to go to a atheist meeting, I would. I let him know I am interested in his feelings and pray for his best.

Answer 9

You've got it ***-backwards, Bubba... you should be LISTENING to them. Christianity is a form of organized insanity, believing the irrational, mythical fairytales, superstitions and delusions of a bunch of ignorant peritatetic goatherders represents some kind of 'truth' pertaining to existence and reality.

Christianity cannot withstand the glaring light of reason and critical thought. You, my friend, are on the wrong side of the equation.

Answer 10

Atheists do not belive in a higher power because their logical minds tell them that there is no proof of a god's existence.

You're right, it is important to respect everyones' religious (or non-religious) beliefs.

Answer 11

Be Christlike. Be willing to serve your fellow man, however humbly you need to. Be generous, kind, forgiving and humble. Someone intrigued by your behavior will ask, and then you can tell them.

People should be able to look at you and tell you are a Christian without your having to tell them.

BTW, interesting how many atheists answered a question directed specifically at Christians. Funny, huh?