I love to see all you Christians who give thoughtful responses to seekers, but why respond to mockers?

Answer 1

That's a good question. I try to avoid mocking questions.

Answer 2

Mockery is an important part of the process of how we can come to understand the inter-relatedness of things and of people.

Some of the questins and responses on here are pretty lame, and serve only to justify peoples already set prejudices.
Those who 'believe' will continue to do so, as will those who do not... and that goes for whatever the subject - be it your god or their god, your assessment of history or culture or someone elses, or even which is the best recipe for shortbread.. however it may just lead one or two to question their previous beliefs... and that is where mockery can come in. It is a part of that process of formulating an image of hte world that is appropriate.

When the whole furor about the so-called 'Danish Catoons' came about, there was much condemnation from the Islamist world, but not much from elsewhere. Leading the Islamic peoples to feel isloated again. So they react. And everyone else then goes 'wooooh, dude! Overaction or what!"

To add to all, the Christians then turned it all back on Islam again... "Hey - how come no one gets upset when it is OUR god in a cartoon - or jesus made fun of?? Damn those Islamic fundamentalists!" and so totally missed the point.

This is about information.

God, as such, if it exists, cannot be mocked. Mockery is a human trait. If god can be mocked and hurt, diminished or damaged by the mockery then it is not omnipitent, and is maybe therefore not the god you thought it was.

Therefore responding to mockers is an interesting exercise - from all sides.

I am not a Christian and do not hold to their beliefs. That does not mean that I cannot hold an opinion on those beliefs, as it is through my opinions and my understanding that I am not a Christian (or Jew or Muslim, for that matter). I can and will reserve my right to mock, just as I will mock myself, the weather, politicians, the fact that I've become stuck on Y!A rather than being outside on the beach.... it is all good.

Where things go awry is when people get lost in the mocking... all of this "Christians are such f@ckt up wotsits" nonsense is just infantile.

If it worries you - stay home, read your bible and dream of your gods violent revenge on them.

Answer 3

I haven't responded to many mockers but once in while someone says something that triggers a response in me. Sometimes I think why do so many self proclaimed atheists come to this site. It is called "religion and spirituality". Maybe they are really looking for something without realizing it. I know to many having a religion or belief system is just a joke, but what will they be thinking down the road when life changes and it all starts to be different then they thought? When times are good or relatively simple it is easy "not' to believe in anything. When times get difficult and there is so much of our life out of control and it is obvious that it is out of our control, then believing in a power greater than ourselves starts to make sense. For me my power greater than me is Jesus Christ. It wasn't always so. I remember when I was much younger I didn't 'need" to believe in anything. My life was simple and it was just me, not me and a husband or children. You do have a point though- why respond to mockers? I guess we are all human after all.

Answer 4

A Note to Mockers

Bear with me while I speak, and after I have spoken, mock on.
Job 21:3
First of all, you must understand that in the last days mockers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
II Peter 3:3

Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
Psalm 1:1

The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from your law.
Psalm 119:51

How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
Proverbs 1:22

God mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
Proverbs 3:34

Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult. Whoever rebukes a wicked person incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or they will hate you. Rebuke a wise person and they will love you.
Proverbs 9:7-8

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you. If you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
Proverbs 9:10,12

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
Proverbs 14:6

A mocker resents correction. They will not consult the wise.
Proverbs 15:12

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. The proud and arrogant person, "Mocker" is their name. They behave with overbearing pride.
Proverbs 21:23-24

Drive out the mocker and out goes strife. Quarrels and insults are ended.
Proverbs 22:10

Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A person reaps what they sow. The one who sows to please their sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction. The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8

Answer 5

Because even seekers read the mockers' questions and subsequent answers.

Answer 6

Christians need to use wisdom to decide whether it is worth responding to mockery.
On the one hand a wise answer might make the mocker think again.
On the other hand, Jesus himself said "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."

Well I ain't looking to get torn to pieces!

Answer 7

Maybe they respond to the mockers so perhaps they will see the absurdity of their questions.

Answer 8

Because mockers are usually closer than they think to the truth that Jesus is the only true way to God.

Answer 9

God said the Word should be shared with everybody. Faith without the works is nothing, and trying to convert people to Christianity is one of the hardest works I have ever undertook.

Answer 10

I agree that most mocking questions don't deserve and answer, and I've learned not to bother with most of them. I only answer if I think I can correct a misconception. I guess it's human nature to take the bait though. That's why they do it.

Answer 11

Did someone say BTK was christian. Why would you say that? Do you know how absurd and confusing that sounds.

If anything that just proves the weeds grow together with the wheat