My ATHEIST FRIEND IS A BELIEVER NOW!! How do I help him pick the right religion? PLEASE HELP!?

Question

He won't go Catholic, because of the perverted priests.
He won't go Baptist, because they're racists.
He won't go Evangelical, because they're homophobic bigots.
He won't go Mormon or Jehovah, because they're cults.
I am Catholic myself, so I don't know much about the other religions. Please help!!!!

I told him that, but he asked me to help out anyways!

Answer 1

Tell him to start a new one!

Answer 2

I pray that your friend can get beyond his generalizations about the groups you've mentioned. Not all Catholic priests are pedophiles. In fact, most are not. The majority of Baptists are not prejudiced. The majority of Evangelicals are not bigots of any kind.

My suggestion to him is the same I make to anyone unsure about the church he'll call home, to go church shopping. Talk to the pastors of the churches. And talk to the members of the congregations. Sit in on their Sunday school classes. Keep doing these things until he finds the right fit for himself. I pray that along with accepting Christ he will now open his mind and heart to the people of God.

Please tell him for me that I'm so happy he has become a believer! And I extend to him a Welcome into the family of God!!

Answer 3

All Chritianity, the same religion. Just different flavors.
As far as Evangelical, what type of Evangelical. I know of Methodists, Lutherans, and others.
Really, he's picking a DENOMINATION based on things that really have nothing to do with it. You can be Evangelical without being a homophobe, Baptist and not racist, and Catholic and not be perverted.
Basic rundown:
Catholic=saint worship and Virgin Mary is almots a deity.
Protestant=Just believe in Jesus and you're saved
Others=I don't know.

Answer 4

Why did he become a believer? Did he have a religious experience because I'd like to tell him that such things are common and don't reflect the truth of any one particular religion. (i.e. people from all religions and no religions have religious experiences.)

Or maybe he became convinced that Jesus Christ was a historical figure? I'd like to tell him that the so-called evidence is suspect at best and most likely forgeries. The one from Josephus is clearly inserted between two other paragraphs discussing something completely different. The Bible stories are inconsistent and contradictory and clearly mix facts with myths borrowed from other religions, and deliberate changes to arrive at simply a mess.

Answer 5

The term "cult" is an insulting synonym for "religion". The term has no place in polite conversation, and Jehovah's Witnesses correctly consider it an insult.

Sadly, this so-called "question" seems intended mostly as insulting slander against Jehovah's Witnesses. Jesus himself quite plainly assigned the Christian congregation to perform an evangelizing work (Matt 28:19,20; Luke 10:1,2; et al). And despite the lies in this "question", as a religion Jehovah's Witnesses do not refuse to enter other churches and do not themselves require windowless churches (Kingdom Halls).

Generally, a Kingdom Hall is built without windows only in areas which tend toward hate crimes and vandalism against houses of worship. From the tone of this "question", it is unsurprising to learn that the questioner is from such an area.


One wonders if anti-Witnesses understand that Jehovah's Witnesses are proven to be true Christians, based upon the Witnesses' preaching work and the anti-Witnesses' bigoted hatred against them.

(2 Timothy 4:3-5) For there will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories. You, though, keep your senses in all things, suffer evil, do the work of an evangelizer, fully accomplish your ministry.

Learn more!
http://watchtower.org

Answer 6

Ask him to start off by reading the works of the early church, that is, during the time of the apostles(New Testament) up to AD 400 (Church Fathers and ancient historians such as Cyprian of Carthage, Irenaeus, Basil, Augustine, Ambrose, John Chrysostom, Tertullian, Eusebius, and others).

A superb book covering the collected writings of these ancient Christians. Title of the book is "The Teachings of the Church Fathers". It covers everything these christians have taught from the notion of religion, sacred scripture, the church,God, Jesus, creation, sin,grace,and many more. It is a treasure not only of history but of what exactly the early christians believed and how they fought off false teachings. You'll also find in the book false teachings refuted to death by the Church Fathers but resurrected in today's cults and denominations claiming to be Christianity.

Answer 7

You admit you do not know much about other religions and then you prove it by improperly describing my religion. We Jehovah's Witnesses are not a cult. We are monotheistic(as all true Christians are) servants of God. If you really know so little about us you can talk to one of us face to face or you can go to our website at http://www.watchtower.com As far as your friend goes, you said he will not be Catholic. In that case you know he thinks your religion is wrong. You two therefore are not going to see eye to eye on any group he joins so why not let him decide for him self.

Answer 8

Tell him to find a bible believing church. its seem to me that he has a prejudgment about certain religions. There is not a perfect church or a perfect religion. If he is a believer he should pray to the Lord and ask the Lord for wisdom. Tell him to go to a non denominational church, but first for him to get right with the Lord. to take that prejudgment in his heart. Im glad that he has found the Lord. Be bless in Jesus mighty name.
We love ya

Answer 9

Let him alone... give thanks to God and just be glad he is a believer... let him be a non-denominational believer... church isn't his answer... God is!

God will show him the right way for him... butt out... or you'll drown him in religion and religion is made by men to control people... FAITH is entirely different and that is all he needs... God will do the rest!

You are in danger of trying to do God's work... look to your own faith and leanings... remember the splinter in your eye is larger than the speck in your friend's and concentrate on that!

A non-denominational Christian;-)

Answer 10

If he is looking for a religion then he will find one and conform to its beliefs. He should believe what he thinks is right and if a religion comes a long which agrees then he has found the right one.

Answer 11

You stated homophobic bigots. Is he gay? He must be fully right with god to be saved, not just be a believer. If he truly believes in god and Jesus he must give up his gay ways. That is if he is gay. If not you should state that as well. Has he tried Pentecostal? They believe in the power of the healing word and the power of the spirit within. they also believe in the speaking of tongues which is a god given gift. Depending on the denomination of Pentecostal there are those who have the rules of women in skirts only, those are Holy Ghost Pentecostal. Then there is 4 square Pentecostal where you can dress as you please, in jeans or even work clothes the main issue is being there not how you dress. i know gothic dressed people who attend church, people with tattoo’s and even men that show up in work clothes to church. i am 4 square myself and if you are familiar with a radio station called KLOVE with great upbeat Christian music that is also the type the 4 square churches also sing. Not just old time hymns. We don’t judge people for their color or even the fact that they are from other countries. We have Indian and Nigerian people as well. Some churches of god penicostal also believe as 4 square as well. The main issue is he needs to pray and have the lord guide him to where he needs to be. In fact the klove station I mentioned is a great musical station that can lift his spirits, people like Amy grant and many others are on there. Many of the Christian wow cd's on TV adds sing on that station check the web site klove.com to find out if it is in your town. It also airs on the Internet for people overseas to listen to them. Have the young man pray. My own husband came back to Christ 5 years ago and he just picks churches out of a phone book and the funny part is we couldn't find the addresses in the book except one and that one we have been apart of for the past 4 1/2 years. God works in mysterious ways and his path is the path to take if he just open your heart to him and ask god to guide him. Read scripture daily. There is also a internet web site that has a free downloadable bible with many helps tips and search engine to study the bible closely called e-sword.net. That internet bible has been a strength for me to search for bible words that many bible dictionaries say all their locations even how many 1 single word is in the bible you will be amazed to see how many times a single word is in there. Religion is not just a denomination, for not only is my husband a penicostal follower of Christ, but also a messianic which is Jewish people that believe Jesus is the messiah, which many Jewish people don’t believe he is the messiah and that the real messiah will come later. He can check out messianic believers online too on Friday nights my husband’s messianic teacher has a internet sermon s site at lion and lamb ministries. Being a believer is also feeling his spirit within. A place, no matter in or out of a church. Where 2 or 3 are gathered his presents is always there. Even though you are catholic you can still share the word of god with your friend no matter what denomination he picks. God is that strength within, but be his strength and helper when he reads something he doesn't understand he has read. Another thing is don’t just have him focus on the New Testament, for the old is just as important. For Jesus is teaching his lessons based on the words taught in the old. He is not rewriting the old, but teaching it in a clearer better way, a better understanding of the Old Testament. Mainly remember to help and not judge his decision. Also don’t rush him into a church. That pushes many away. Lord be with you in helping him and lord be with him in his path.