2006-09-03 08:48:37 · 40 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You should listen to him.
2006-09-03 08:50:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like many people here have said, it would be best to leave him alone about it. I don't hate god or disbelieve in him but I don't choose to follow that religion either, nor do I follow other religions. I stay educated and try to be as open minded as possible. One day I may convert but until then the last I want to do is hear how wrong I am. Be his friend, don't pursue the religion issue at all. Perhaps by example he'll learn from you, and then it's possible he'll pursue it on his own. When pressured people become defensive and tend to move more in the opposite direction, but if left alone you never know. When I was in the military I had a hard time with something and didn't get much help because I was told my problems weren't issued to me at boot camp, I sought out the Chaplin and told him of my problems and without addressing the situation he immediately told me I should just accept god and christ, I told him that I didn't disbelieve in them but that I didn't feel they were the answer. His response was that I wasn't going to fix the problem any other way and that I was wasting his time. This wasn't the first response like that I got from religious figures. But his unwillingness to help as a person really changed my view of religion then, he wanted nothing more than my conversion. This kid may see your light, he may not. Pray for him as you would and let him find his own path. In the end it is indeed his path. I hope I helped in some way, you're good to be concerned, but be open to other things as well, above all, be a fellow human being, not a billboard.
2006-09-03 09:19:41 · answer #2 · answered by Scott 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be sure to respect his right to believe what he wants to, though. I am a Christian, but I never went to church and I had so many people invite me to church and I would try it and decide it wasn't for me and those people had no time for me after that. It's kind of insulting when somebody basically says, I'd like to be your friend if you go to my church and decide to believe what I believe. As long as you don't do that to the guy no problem with letting him know what's out there. Just be careful about it. You don't want to get too forceful or preachy with him because then you'll just put him off and it will be counterproductive to your purpose. You should actually make friends with him no matter what he decides, he might teach you a few things you didn't know, and believe me there's nothing wrong with that.
2006-09-03 08:53:16 · answer #3 · answered by Reject187 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think that is a good idea, to just whip out your bible and start reciting verses. But I think It would be okay to try to get to know the kid better and ask why he feels the need to be atheist and after he has gained your trust maybe you could ask if it would be okay if you read him a few verses from the bible or ask him if he would like to attend church with you.
Good luck
2006-09-03 08:52:06 · answer #4 · answered by GeorgiaGurl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how would you feel if he walked up to you during lunch and just started reading charles darwin or the american prospect to you even if he felt his intentions were entirely good?
if this is someone you think you might actually want to be friends with, there could be more benefit to simply talking about things you have in common rather than going in attempting to convert him. if he should have an interest in bible study or attending church with you, he'll let you know. and if he doesn't ... let it go. your religious differences don't have to be the defining point of your friendship.
2006-09-03 08:59:55 · answer #5 · answered by pyg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither......at least not at first......
Did he ask you to read the bible to him at lunch ? Does he impose on you by reading Darwin to you while you're eating.......
We EARN the right to share our views by showing love and concern......try just getting to know the person and see where that takes you.....
I have invited a few of my friends who do not believe as I do to church and read the Bible to some.......yet I earned the right to do so....because these people know i legitimately care for them.....do that first then we'll talk
2006-09-03 08:56:02 · answer #6 · answered by steve f 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you could offer to let him open the conversation with explaining to you why he is atheist. He may have some valid points that you will need to research so you can properly answer them. When I say let him open the conversation, I am including that you shut your mouth and open your ears for the entire time he is speaking so he knows you are not just asking out of insincerity. Then he may be more willing to grant you the same favor.
2006-09-03 13:59:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are subtler ways of evangelizing.
In all honesty, if someone I knew from class came up at lunch, sat down, whipped out the New Testament and began reading, I'd probably laugh and tell him to f--- off. Inviting him to church is a better option, but you have to be able to take it if his beliefs are just as cemented as yours.
2006-09-03 08:50:57 · answer #8 · answered by Adrian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be a nice gesture to invite him to church, however don't be surprise to hear the word no.Just do the talk, and do the walk. I think if you metion to him about how your life has change through Christ you will have planted the seeds of faith in him, its up to him what he chooses to do with the information you have given him..Just pray for him and leave it in Gods hands and see what happens,you don't want to keep nagging at him,good luck, god bless
2006-09-03 09:00:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because he's an atheist doesn't meen he hasn't got his own believes and way of looking at life. Be his friende but don't persuade him into something that's just not his thing.
Let him like you for you and not for the way you throw a bible in his face.
2006-09-03 08:54:08 · answer #10 · answered by johanna m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Uh, how about neither? Enjoy your lunch, chat a little, then maybe toss a football around until it's time to go back to class. He's there for the same reason you are -- to get an education, not to be converted.
2006-09-03 08:50:44 · answer #11 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋