Why do Atheists want to convert Christians? What do you have to offer that is better?

Question

You say you do not believe in God, So why try to convince others not to believe? Im sure that some ofyou will show their immaturity by answering with a rude or obnoxious answer, because they lack mentality or vocabulary, or say I am whining, but it is a good objective question, asked respectfully, I actually want to hear any good answers you have, but use logic, common sense, rude comments will just show that you have nothing real to say,

I have hope of Heaven, I believe Christ died for my wrongs, I believe that I am loved by a higher power, and do find comfort. I have fellowship with others who share my beliefs, and together we do things to help others as a result of our love for God. What do you offer as an alternative? and why is it better?

Answer 1

mayhap some are as evangelical about their disbelief as others are about their faith?
seriously, if you are at peace with your god, than I`m happy for you.I just don`t share your belief , shall we respect eachother and get on with our respective lives? that seems the best way to do things.
take care now and hope you & yours have a happy (insert midwinter festival of choice here).

Answer 2

You're right: A universe with a God who loves every single one of us and will bring us to eternal paradise as long as we follow his "word" is better than a universe with no God and nothing to look forward to after death. But we're not talking about which one is "better", we're talking about which one is true. There are lots of good things you can believe in out there; that sure as heck don't make them right.

And atheists don't care that people practice Christianity. Have you ever noticed that atheists never go after Hindus or Buddhists? Why do you think that is? Simple: Because those religions keep to themselves. They don't threaten "unbelievers" with eternal damnation. They don't try to impose their way of life on everyone. They don't talk to "unbelievers" in a condescending way or call them lost or confused or hopeless. They just believe whatever they want to believe and leave everyone else be. What you interpret as atheists "converting" Christians into atheism is really just atheists defending their beliefs against people who insist that they're totally wrong and that they must change their ways or else they'll be subject to eternal fire. There is a distinct difference between the two.

Answer 3

I need to preface this by saying that I am not an Atheist, nor do I practice active theological beliefs in any organized religion. My spirituality has been developed and shaped after many years of personal deliberation, and continues to change on a near daily basis.

That said, why do Atheists want to convert Christians to their active disbelief? I think it's the same reason that Christians want to convert Atheists: they feel that they have a more true and more pure belief.

Here's the thing - no one wants to think that what they believe is wrong. If they did, then clearly they wouldn't believe it anymore. However, if they believe that their religious structure (or lack thereof) is true, they will want to share it with others.

Christians want to bring Atheists to Jesus to save their eternal soul. I personally disagree strongly that the only salvation from eternal suffering is belief in Jesus, but that is my belief. While I don't think I've ever actively tried to convert someone to my way of thinking, I also always open lively religious debate, as it helps me evolve my way of thinking.

Anyway, Atheists attempt to convert Christians to their disbelief (not to be confused with a lack of belief, many Atheists have spent a lot of time coming to their conclusion that there is no God) because they feel that Christians are deluding themselves. They feel that humanity does not need codified rules in order to be moral, and just, and good to one another, they simply need to be moral, just, and good. It seems to me that this requires a belief in the inherent goodness of humanity, which is ironic because many of my Atheist friends are also terrible cynics towards humanity (which I think speaks more to the caliber of my friends than that of Atheism).

What it boils down to is this, Atheists and Christians (and other religions too) alike feel that they are giving sound advice when recommending their belief structure to other people. When giving directions somewhere, you always say something to the effect "if you reach the shopping center on your right, you've gone too far." We do not enjoy the feeling of knowing that someone is wrong, or about to head in the wrong direction, so we try to get them pointing the right way again, even if the right way for us is not the right way for them.

Answer 4

What to offer, in return for abandoning hope in eternal life, in trust in a living and all-powerful creator, in assurance that the universe will be (even if it is not) just and fair and that all will be well?

All nice things to believe in, if you can.

Thomas Henry Huxley said it many, many, years ago.
"Had I lived a couple of centuries earlier I could have fancied a devil scoffing at me ... and asking me what profit it was to have stripped myself of the hopes and consolations of the mass of mankind? To which my only reply was and is -- Oh devil! truth is better than much profit."

The key argument is that it's a truer view of the world.(and yes, this is major grounds for dispute!) And I'll opt for that, even if it isn't such a neat, nice or warm world view.
And should I actively campaign against what I take to be other people's comfortable illusions? (to turn to your first question)

Hmm. With delicacy. Where their views impinge on my freedom, or when they bring the debate to a public forum, where each and every stance is up for examination and criticism.
It's in my interest too. If my views can't stand up to a bit of knocking and scepticism, what use are they?
And if there are better views out there, the sooner I learn of them and adopt them, the better. Only if they ARE better, of course. And that's going to take real debate to hammer out!

Answer 5

As long as Christianity, as well as several of the other "ultimate truths", have as their end and gleefully sought after goal, the END OF THE WORLD, and as long as they believe that their rights are being violated if they are denied the opportunity to use the coercive power of the state to shove their god down every ones throat, you will have to put up with us being in your face. Why should we abandon a forum where we can let you know that you will not be allowed to carry out the silly "End Times" rubbish that you seem to forget would include the rest of us.

Answer 6

I feel like if you're genuinely happy like that, good. Religion is a personal choice to help you through life. But when I converted to Atheism, I got an amazing free feeling. Scary but good, like when you find out Santa Claus is not real. Now it's not scary. So what do I have that I feel is better? I have the fact that I now think for myself and am not held captive by such a ridiculous idea.
And I don't try to convert anyone, Christians do that. I give another side that they might not have thought of.
You might think that's the same, but everyone has heard the Biblical stories. There's really no need to try to 'educate' us anymore. We know where you're coming from, and we don't like it.

Answer 7

I generally restrict myself to answering questions posed to atheists. I'm not looking to convert anyone. If Christianity is how you make sense of your life, and it gives you peace and hope, then I'm happy you have it in your life.

Many of the questions posed to atheists are harsh and judgmental. I feel the need to show that we're like everyone else, that we have morals and virtue and failings and weaknesses.

Answer 8

I believe in the battle of good and evil. Satan and the Godhead made up of Father/Son/Holy Spirit... its not because I was raised up in it, it's because I've seen it work that way in my life. I think that Athiests are Satans little soldiers trying to grab anybody who will listen for 5 min. I believe he's a little antagonistic arrogant rebel that likes to do anything that displeases God for his own selfish cruelty. The Athiests don't even know that they are serving Satan which is just part of Satans perfect scheme. But I also believe that once you are saved you cannot lose your salvation even if you go from believing Jesus died for you to not believing at all. Once you are written in the book of life, you cannot be erased, so let them have their fun... one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.....

Answer 9

Well, I'm a christian, but i have not heard of any atheists trying to convert Christians. actually, i more often hear of Christians trying to convert atheists, as well as people of other beliefs. so the question is why? what exactly makes Christianity better that, say, Judaism or Buddhism?
and if someone chooses not to believe in god, isn't that their problem?

Answer 10

turn the your question around and youl see where the atheist are coming from why do Christians try to convert them? in fact Christians are worse for it. no offense i have no disrespect for people who chose to believe in god etc but i don't like it when every time i go in to town christen people are handing leaflets out and shoving them in my hands its annoying.in fact as i whitening this a man has just put a leaflet through my door about the church times and confessing my sins! CRAZY!