My dear Christian friends, how do you see atheists?

Question

I asked a question about people that I meet sometimes wanting to convert me to Christianity (I am an atheist) and I got lovely answers from everyone.
One answer in particular was very beautifully written and very nice but had an aspect that struck me as odd:

“Why are people attracted to you and then want to convert you? Maybe because either they can see what makes you beautiful but can't fathom that beauty in a person can exist without believing in god”

Taken out of context, yes but…hmmmm.

Most atheists I know are kind, loving, attractive and spiritual...yes spiritual.
And I will have you know that I cut off my tail and keep my horns trimmed and my cloven hooves are painted cotton candy pink!

So, (and I know this question has been asked a hundred different ways)

Do you feel that not believing in God precludes you from being beautiful?
How do you see atheists?
What can I do to change that image, besides well…convert?

Let me clarify... the inside- who you are (or me as it were) not physical beauty.

Oh hand of justice, I invite you to view my blogs (my 360 ones-lol) or e-mail me. I am really not so bad. I have a self-deprecating sense of humor and my looks were just a genetic mix from my parents that I have nothing to do with, everything on the inside is what I control.

Dr.Cheeshead... That was beautiful- thank you.

Answer 1

There are a number of things at play here. People will be nice to you because you are nice to them, and you are nice looking. Let's face it, pretty girls get lots of breaks. That you happen to be charming, intelligent and funny gets bonus points (not at Yahoo Answers, but in life). That you happen to be atheist is hopefully signs of a tolerant, open minded society, but who knows...

I think everyone at least has the capacity or potential to be beautiful. I am not sure that they always bring their "A" game to the plate every time, and some people are by nature surly or gruff or have self-esteem issues that preclude making warm fuzzies with anyone. We all sit at the Great Table of Life with varying manners, pecularities and oddities. I just try to overlook the areas where people are different (note that I said try, I am not always successful...) and meet people where they are. We may be headed in different directions, but there is a purpose and a profound reason why we come together when and why we do... and I like to glean from each moment what I can. Is this the place and time that I learn some GREAT TRUTH that has escaped me all my life? Is this person someone who can change my life, offer me untold insights? I don't know, and I am just paranoid enough to think that if I miss out talking with someone with whom I have one little thing in common, I might be missing out on the chance of a lifetime.

I am a believer that everyone has a purpose and a reason for living and a passion for some aspect of life. I just happen to be a collector of those stories, of those reasons, of friends... I can't help myself. At some point my faith tells me that I may be called upon to answer why I haven't reached out to convert more people. I find that by keeping the conversations open and not beating people over the head allows me to better understand why people are the way they are. Whenever I think of my faith and how I live it, I hear Jesus' words of "Judge not..." which is a good thing, because I would be a terrible judge.

It doesn't really matter to me if someone is an atheist, agnostic, gnostic, guru, parsley, sage, rosemary or thyme... (sorry, I got carried away there...). If I find them intriguing in any way shape or form, I'll hang around to see what I can learn from them, and maybe offer some of myself to them, and see what happens.

Answer 2

it could sound unusual, however the challenge is many times too little biblical information somewhat than too lots. Take Paul's words in Romans a million as an occasion. Paul's reason here is to no longer describe each and every guy or woman outdoors the Abrahamic custom. He says so himself interior the subsequent financial ruin the place he describes people who save the regulation devoid of understanding it. those, he says, are a regulation unto themselves. yet possibly it somewhat is basically too precis. if so, look at Paul's address on Mars Hill. (Acts 17) He does not start up by using condemning his objective audience yet somewhat seeks elementary floor from which to modern-day the Christian message. it somewhat is the variety i attempt to maintain on with. the challenge is that many Christians basically are not fascinated in such "worldly awareness" and so do no longer understand a thank you to translate their worldview into non-religious words. part of my ministry is coaching persons a thank you to try this. in spite of the shown fact that it is not elementary, somewhat whilst the wider subculture now no longer values philosophy as a manner of coming near reality. reducing to the chase, the precious atheist who published those comments is definitely one of my maximum valued contacts. I easily have benefited very much from his insights on my own questions and had worthwhile discussions with him by digital mail. Our hobbies overlap and so it somewhat is somewhat elementary. He nonetheless thinks i'm incorrect and that's ok. i do no longer limit my relationships in elementary terms to those that trust me. I might desire to admit, nevertheless, that this each and every so often makes my Christian brethren uneasy. They ask your self approximately my genuine dedication. Oh properly. I form of like being an anomaly. My faith exhibits up in the two my words and in my interactions with others. If i'm no longer culturally Christian sufficient, too undesirable. Jesus wasn't the two.

Answer 3

I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE
AN ER NURSE WHO MIGHT JUST SAVE MY HIDE.

I look up to y'all, and whenever I see an ambulance go by, I pray that God would work through the hands of everyone who emotionally or physically touches the wounded/ill person, or his family, on his way to recovery, or the judgment. You don't have to do anything to change how I see atheists. I was in love with one before I became a Christian. I wish I could have brought him along with me for this wonderful journey.
My Beauty Scale:
Jesus: one million. Christians 5-25 Atheists 5-25

And for a snarkier answer, because, I am after all, a fundy:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ap8z9fW_.G_XwTBdAfXvq3Hsy6IX?qid=20060831134636AAgpYUX

Answer 4

I see atheists as human being, just like everyone else should. Though I am a Christian, I do realize that everyone is entitled to their beliefs (or lack thereof), and while it is my Christian duty to witness to people about God, I'm not going to force it upon anyone, for if they're turned off by my words or my example, God won't be able to touch them in their spirit when He calls to them.

Answer 5

I am not a Christian. I am a Jew. But, to me, I see Atheists as people. Some are good and some are bad. That is the way it is with all people. People should not try to change someone's religion.

Answer 6

No, beauty is not the issue. Beauty comes from within. I have always perceived atheists as people that had no hope...that something was missing. How do you handle a crisis? Being a person who has always believed in God, I must admit I cannot conceive of NOT believing. How can you be spiritual but not believe?

Answer 7

From what I can tell, you are a genuinely good person with several virtues and gifts that indeed make you beautiful on the inside.
There is just one thing missing; I hope you find it...

Answer 8

I believe that what makes a person beautiful is what is on the inside. If you are physically attractive on the outside, but yet dark on the inside, then no, you are not beautiful to me. I am a Christian now. Before that, while not being an athiest, I didn't adhere to any religion. I believed in the science and power of the mind. I guess some would call that sorcery. But after becoming a Christian, it did change my outlook of life.
Now I find myself in amazement that people look at the wonders of this planet and don't believe in God. College is partly to blame for this. The more I studied, the more I learned that science didn't have a clue. Geology is a lot of guess work, but I digress.
Do I see you as ugly if you aren't a Christian? No. Lost? Yes.
Ugliness? I find abortion ugly and terrible. I always have though.
I find immoral acts ugly. But that is just my opinion.

Answer 9

All humans have a form of beauty, as do all living things.
Not believing in God does not detract from your physical looks, since as a Christian, of course, I feel that God created everything beautiful.

And I do not believe that Satan is some little red guy with horns, cloven hooves, and a pitchfork. The bible actually describes him as beautiful in appearance, using rare precious stones to describe that beauty.

Now, that was not intended as a reflection in anyway on you or your other atheist friends. You asked the question about beauty.

As to your last question, - I can't answer that, - to me it is like a hurricane is coming and I want to help you to do everything to prepare. But, as with hurricanes, you can't always make people leave their houses to get out of the storms way.

Answer 10

I don't think it's all about them not accepting that atheists can be beautiful or spiritual. I'm a christian, I know what I', talking about. Christians believe a true love relationship goes deep into spiritual comunion. You might be spiritual, but it's not the same kind of spirituality. They know it won't work in the end from God's point of view if you don't convert. You might think this is not important to you, but it is to us. If somebody's trying to convert you, that person really cares about you.

Answer 11

I see them as having a different belief than myself.

They believe there is no God.
I believe there is a God.

So they have a faith, don't they?