What I'm getting at is that, many Christians say atheists don't want to believe in God because they would have to change their lifestyle. I assume they mean that you would have to be a good person instead of the raging hellion that most atheists are (sarcasm). I want honest answers - what would an atheist actually have to change (beyond the whole belief system) in order to be a Christian.
2007-01-03 07:07:16 · 23 answers · asked by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My life would be exactly the same. I'm in a loving marriage with 3 kids. I think that my kids (assuming they converted to) would catch a LOT less grief at school and that my parents, sisters would be pretty happy.
2007-01-03 07:10:24 · answer #1 · answered by Laptop Jesus 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Its wayyyyy different. I was born into a muslim family and just very recently (about a month ago) I told my parents I no longer believe. Contrary to what I thought was gonna happen, my parents were really cool and open minded about my decision. It hasn't been long since I've made the decision but right off the bat I can tell things are way different: 1. I no longer have to pray five times a day 2. I don't have to fast for one month out of the year 3. I can eat all the pork products I want! (mmmmm hehe) 4. I can drink alcohol! I think one of the biggest changes is the amount of free time I have. Since I no longer have to spend time praying, going to the mosque, I've got a lot more leisure time on my hands. But I think the biggest change is that I no longer feel guilty for violating Islam's basic rules. I'll admit, I was far from the perfect muslim, I drank, didn't always make every prayer, and I engaged in pre-marital sex. Its been a really uplifting experience so far.
2016-05-22 23:20:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There may be a bit of a misunderstanding about this. A person cannot simply make his or her self a Christian by changing some lifestyle habits.
Come to Jesus just as you are and tell HIm all about your sinfulness and weakness of character.
Ask Him to cause you to be born again by supplying you with new motives, new desires and new purposes.
You see, you cannot make yourself a Christian, but you can cooperate with God by letting Him make you a Christian. It is the goodness of God that leads you to repentance and repentance is the first step in conversion.
He will make the impressions on your conscience that will cause you to be brokenhearted for your sins. Your part is to not resist the impressions that God makes on your conscience as you consider Jesus dying for your sins.
Unless you have this initial conversion experience, you will simply be trying to make yourself a good person. This is the cause of so many false Christian experiences.
After allowing God to soften your thoughts and feelings to the point of repentance, you will know that something is different within you.
Doing good and being good becomes a pleasure and a way to express your love and appreciation for your Saviour.
Christians don't do good in order to be saved.
Christians do good because they believe that they are being saved. Saved from the principle of sin which is selfishness.
Saved from the penalty of sin
Saved from the power of sin
and when Christ returns...
Saved from the presence of sin
We cannot make ourselves what we need to be in order to have a place in God's kingdom but as we cooperate with God each day asking for His grace and help, He transforms our characters in preparation for heaven.
A Christlike character is the only kind of character that could enjoy heaven and the only kind of character that could be safely trusted in heaven.
Just making changes in your life does not make a person a Christian.
The true Christian grows to adore the character of God and Jesus Christ and seeks ever to copy and reflect that character.
A deep sense of gratitude and love constantly motivate him or her to do and say those things that would be pleasing to God and to avoid anything that would grieve the Savior.
Being a Christian is not simply a conforming to a list of do's and don'ts.
Being a Christian is the experience of continually, increasingly growing to love God and Jesus Christ and demonstrating this in the life.
Show N Tell
2007-01-03 07:10:19 · answer #3 · answered by ccttct l 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you accept that Jesus died for you, arouse and and ask for forgiveness, and ask him into your heart and soul, you are a christian. It is an awesome feeling but you don't change overnight. And God helps you. Christians sin just like anyone else, we are just covered in the blood of Jesus. God will help you become a better person but being good won't get you there. We all do dumb things. We are only human. The main thing for a christian to do is testify and tell others about Jesus
2007-01-03 07:12:50 · answer #4 · answered by suzy-Q 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
To be a Fundie Xian:
I imagine you'd have to become intolerant of anyone who doesn't agree with your idea of god.
Stop thinking for yourself and only spout off things you've heard your priest say.
Books are from the devil. If it's not in the bible, it's not true.
Don't actually read the bible, but quote it frequently if it backs up what you're saying.
Commit way more "sins" because "god" forgives you and you'll go to heaven anyway.
Respond to any criticism with "I hope you like hell!" or "I'll pray for you" thereby completely avoiding the issue.
Show no respect for anyone else, but insist they respect you.
Talk constantly about how, as the majority, you are being persecuted. And that if someone doesn't automatically agree with what you say, they are persecuting you.
As for regular Xians, aside from going to church there's no real difference. We're all people. Some of us good and some of us bad.
2007-01-03 07:17:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Well to not be an athiest you would have to believe in God. Many athiests are good people, they do just things and even if they dont know it God is working in them although they are not recognizing him and accepting him. Putting Christ first in your life is very important, being a member of the Catholic Church, looking to the Church for instruction, recieving the Eucharist, recieving the sacraments, baptism etc. One of the best things to ask an athiest is "how did he or she get here?" something, someone had to bring about life and that someone is Jesus.
2007-01-03 07:19:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
you need accept jesus into your heart as your lord and savior and that god is in control. if you do some research ,or go to church, or study the bible your lifestyle will change. and remember try to find a church that you feel confortable in - it may take time and dont believe those idiots on tv . remember we are all hypicrates, there was only one perfect man and that was jesus. you dont have to jump up and down and proclaim your change - it is in your heart
2007-01-03 07:18:54 · answer #7 · answered by royjet3 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The #1 thing we would have to do is believe in God....not believing is why we're atheist....so that's not going to happen.
The rest is just fluff because a lot of Christians have questionable lifestyles.
2007-01-03 07:16:14 · answer #8 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
They would have to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, confess their sins and believe that Jesus died on the cross to save them for their sins. Very simple.
I know atheist that are very good people and I know Christians that are not so good. But the difference in these two very different people is that one accepted Jesus as their Savior and is forgiven for their sins (Christian )and the other (atheist) one is not. This is my belief as a Christian.
2007-01-03 07:15:15 · answer #9 · answered by saved_by_grace 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm sure much more praying would be involved. Atheists don't pray (as far as I know... to whom would they pray?). I'm sure it would also include a fair bit more proselytizing and witnessing than they're used to. They would feel the sudden desperate need to defend the utterly indefensible... and... let's see... Oh, and of course dealing with crushing, constant, mysterious guilt and shame.
2007-01-03 07:09:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋