What kind of Christian experience speaks more powerfully to nonbelievers?

Question

(Frankness is fine. It's your true answers that really matter.)

Answer 1

I am not a Christian.

A few times in the past year, I have gone down to New Orleans to help build houses. Each time I have gone with a Christian group. No preaching, no proselytizing. Just getting to see these people set their lives aside for a week or two to help others with no expectations in return.

That has undoubtedly been the most powerful experience I've had, and did more for me than fifteen years of church did.

Answer 2

The kind of Christian experience that speaks the most powerfully to nonbelievers is THE KIND THAT SHOWS NONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Deception and duplicity
Pride and arrogance
Self-righteousness
A condemnatory spirit
Flattery
Harassment

These sins leave little hope for the "Christian" to be found righteous ON THAT DAY, let alone to win souls.

Answer 3

The Christian whose experience spoke most to me is a Jehovah's Witness I used to work with. She never prosletyzed or ministered to me, but I always thought that she showed what teaching by example means.

She is patient, kindhearted, and has an integrity and depth of character I've rarely seen anywhere else. So, even though I'm still a nonbeliever, I think there are good things some people can derive from religion.

Answer 4

Why don't you leave the nonbelievers alone and not try to convert them? It just turns them further against you and strengthens their resolve. Personally, I get upset when so-called Christians send me abusive emails telling me how stupid I am for my beliefs - surely that isn't a good approach? Especially because I AM a believer. I know I'll get about 30 thumbs down for this post, but I'll never understand why some Christians feel it's their right to impose their beliefs on others.

Answer 5

Living as Jesus taught: Living your Gospel as an example of Christ and not insisting the Apostles ran around condemning every other religion, read close and you will see they did not do this: I've read your book and I see very few people who call themselves Christian following it, why can I, a Pagan, see this and so many who call themselves Christians not see it?.

Accepting others beliefs and seeing where they are common with your own. The Wiccan's Three Fold law and Rede are not any different then your own "You shall reap what you sow."

No I'm not getting down on you, just being frank.

Answer 6

First and at most I am a Christian but I seem to rely only on myself. I pray for good things to come, and if for change, it is to better the content of my character. I have been let down greatly before and I think I've lost a lot of faith and dependence due to it. I feel I am in dark times now, and at the same time I have been more evangelistic this week than ever before, I feel like a hypocrite. I believe, I worship, and I spread the word, but I feel that whats going to happen is going to happen and that's the way God wanted it, for he doesn't play dice. It is almost as if I have split personalities, but simultaneous thoughts of both. Maybe It isn't two personalities but one thought and one action that contrast. To answer the question, I turn to fate and destiny when I am in times of darkness. I wait for what is happening to pass because I feel that no matter what I do the darkness will prevail until the light finds it and until then I sit and wait but, I should call for the Light. Pray for me please.

Answer 7

First, it must be understood, that all who are called Christian, might not have the same beliefs. For example: Jehovah's Witnesses, Pentecostal, Catholic, Latter Day Saints.... all fall under the "umbrella" of Christian, but have in some cases, very different tenants of faith. This is one reason why the Christian "witness" (sharing your faith, and living it so that others be drawn to it) can be so different from one person to the next.

In the Bible, it says: "If I be lifted Up (Jesus) I will draw men unto me." Simply put, we have to live a life of love, compassion and Love...

When Jesus walked here with us, HE HATED how the Pharisees behaved. They were like our Religious Fanatics today, who "kill for religion".... some killing the body, some the heart and mind... but do not lift up the Love of God. For it is the Love of God, that draws men unto repentance.

Answer 8

Liz, I believe that to convince believers or non-believers to seek God is living the word.It means that what has been written in the bible and what has been spoken must be seen in our daily experiences.It`s hard to do but it is always true that the way to God is the hard one to follow.Yet follow we must in order to have a personal relationship with God and at the same time influence others who have not accepted God`s existence.

Answer 9

in my opinion this is true for any belief:


1)lead a good life based on your religion
2)answer questions honestly when you're asked
3)respect others' beliefs


**all is done by God's will. there is not enough preaching in the world to make anyone anything other than what God intended him to be, whether that be Muslim, Christian, Buddhist.... etc

peace and blessings to all

Answer 10

It all depends on the heart condition of the nonbeliever.some don't believe simply because they are disappointed in the double standards of so called "true" religions and others don't see the need to change their ways probably because they think they are in their own paradise.