I have a burden for atheists. I have been posting questions to get them thinking about their position that there is no God. They were said in love but still got them mad because they're comfortable where they're at. I put up with the anger and insults because my thinking has been that if I can reach just one, then it is worth it. Jesus commanded us to tell them about Him and warned us that they would persecute us. But maybe I'm wasting my time and getting people upset for nothing. Maybe I'm doing more harm than good. Or maybe I should continue asking and ignore the anger the way I have been. I'm confused. I want to do what's best for them. Please help me. I pray to know.
2007-01-22 00:18:45 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Words will not win in this arena.
Remember the scene in "Lord of The Rings" where they are deep inside the Dwarf Halls & they accidently awaken the Dark Shadow?
Gundolf says to Aragorn, "Swords will not avail you here". That's the case here. The weapons with which YA's give you to fight are insufficient.
"We wrestle not against flesh & blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world & spiritual wickedness in high places."
2007-01-22 00:52:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I was actually thinking that myself recently. It is hard to stand your ground and always show kindness. They can say some really mean things. I found myself getting very upset. Someone told me I shouldn't do it anymore, but I still want to. What I decided was that I would only do Yahoo! Answers occasionally. If I answer a question, I will just let it be and never go back to check how people rated me. I will also only answer questions when I think I can really help a person. Some people put things out there just to start battles. We are getting prosecuted so that's a good, but hard thing. Before doing this I never experienced prosecution. It got to me, but now I think it's a good learning experience. I learned how to deal with difficult people and how to be patient. I also think I've grown closer to God. I always pray when I get in here, speak with love no matter how mean people get, and email Christians to help support them. I'm always glad when my answer is picked as best or when a fellow Christian emails me. I know I'm doing my best and sometimes the work does pay off. We're planting seeds if nothing else and God is proud of us. I would just be careful about how much you got involved. Take a break if it gets to be too much. You can also witness in other ways, not just in here. Many people in here have real issues and want to vent. Some people enjoy arguing and trying upset others. They can't normally talk like that to everyday people. On the computer you can say and do whatever you want. I don't know, but maybe this helps release some of their anger. Then again, maybe not. We can only speak with kindness and try to be good examples. If you feel that it's really getting to you and causing harm, then please take care of yourself. Stay away or spend less time in here. You can only do so much for people. Some aren't willing to listen yet. Other people get upset with the bad examples some Christians have set and think we're all one way. I'm sure God will tell you what to do. Your efforts were never a waste. He knows you want to help and are doing your best. Plus, God wants you to take care of yourself too, right? Have hope. It will work out. God Bless you!
2007-01-22 01:05:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I'm not Christian and nor have I had any sexual experience, but I've heard from most Christians that masturbation is perfectly fine, as is foreplay (though they are taboo subjects, the Bible doesn't seem to say anything against them). Those can possibly tide your sexual urges over until you find that person that you want to marry. If you aren't comfortable with either, then you could find some new hobby to take your mind off of things--exercise releases endorphines (makes you happy), and can really help to take the edge off. I'd suggest hiking because I'm not fond of structured exercise, myself. Other hobbies would be good as well, such as knitting, scrapbooking, etc.
2016-05-24 16:42:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a Christian. However, I find it so off-putting when other Christians try and convert folks by preaching to them. Sometimes I feel like me being a Christian is guilt by association to those who can be so righteous about their belief in Christ and are fundamentalists (my way or the highway). I know of many people who have left Christianity because of preachy Christians to find a place where love and acceptance is practiced - which I believe the bible has not too kind words to say about folks who turn others from the love of God.
Personally, I have no problem with atheists or pagans... and no desire to try and "save them." For the most part they are thinking people who have made a decision based upon their own beliefs - and often after much thought and struggle - rather than "because my pastor told me..." Those I know are loving and caring people.
I admit, I'm a Christian because that is what I was as a child, and was "born again" some 20 years ago of my own choice. I love the teachings of Jesus and try to follow them as best I can. ("You who are without sin cast the first stone." "When you go to pray, do not do it on the corner where people will see you, go to your room, close the door and pray to God." (not an exact quote, but I understand what it means). "Pray for your enemy.")
I'm a believer in attraction versus promotion. I would much rather have someone come up to me and say "You have such peace and love in your heart - and I want to feel that way, too" than to try and strong arm a person to come to church with me or threaten them with eternal damnation.
2007-01-22 00:46:57 · answer #4 · answered by rtistathrt 3 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Since they are convinced that there is no God, the only way to reach them is to prove that He exists. The best way is to live in Jesus, in such a way that those around you can see for themselves that God is very real in your life. When we as humans try too hard sometimes it gets frustrating, so you can try looking at them as 'people who have not found the Lord' instead of grouping them as 'atheists' and ask The Shepherd to find them soon. Pray that you will also be used by Him in this search.
2007-01-22 00:52:50 · answer #5 · answered by betty 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Oh sweet child... Do not let your heart be troubled...What you do you do out of Love and that is all any of us can do..Jesus was also persecuted for what he did.. He showed Love and look where they put him..
I ask questions to atheists too and I do give them my point and its done in Love .. The 1st time I was attacked , I was taken aback at the anger.. The anger is not of them .. I personally do not believe that GOD is hardening their hearts just yet.. I believe its satan doing it..
The back-lash you are getting is nothing compared to what GOD will do when the time is right..
I wrestle with this issue too . On one hand , I do not want to offend.Jesus said that we should not offend people..But then on the other hand, we are supposed to speak and spread the word.
My best way of handling this is: If you speak out of love and they do not listen , let that person be. Jesus told his disiples if you go to a house and you are not welcome, wipe your feet of that place ( not exact quote but I hope you get the idea).
You have such a big heart.. I can feel it in your words.
You wanna do the best and you wanna make JESUS proud of what you do..
Do this for JESUS :
pray about this issue to JESUS..Just sit and talk to JESUS and listen very closely.. You WILL get your answer..JESUS already knows the turmoil you are feeling and if you will give it to JESUS , JESUS will handle it for you..
ALSO:
Pray for the souls you try to help..The truth is in your words dear. You have a good heart and if you pray for them , GOD will hear you because you speak from your heart. GOD will know if you are honest and I believe you are..GOD is the only one who can change this situation ...
I will also pray for you dear one.. I love to pray :)
Let GOD do whats best for them and you show love and kindness and let JESUS lead you.. Pray each time you have a situation that requires help and listen for your answer.. GOD DOES HEAR YOU.
.
I PRAY YOU WILL BE AT PEACE AND DO NOT LET YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED..
GOD IS WITH YOU :)
2007-01-22 01:19:42 · answer #6 · answered by Joann 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Save for that I DON'T want to do what's best for them, I also have the same problem with Christians. While I accept that you doing what you are doing as part of your obligation to your God, I've have a problem if that obligation is structured in such a way that only Christians have the right to pose questions.
You can check my main page and you'll see questions I asked that were deleted after Christians reported me for abuse. Many non-believers have developed a negative attitude against Christians because of how they treat legitimate questions that question the foundation and practices of Christianity.
But now to your question. Are Christians supposed to be patient? If God has been with you, why do you give up that quickly. Don't you think that you should instead pray God to give you strength to soldier on and do his work? Nobody told you that it's gonna be easy. Do you think your loving God can leave you there without showing you the way to find solution to your troubled heart? This might be a test to you but you must fight the good fight. Allow ne to say; God Bless!
2007-01-22 00:37:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 4⤋
YOU CANT MAKE SOMEONE CHANGE THEIR MIND!! Religion is a touchy subject. People believe what they want to. Atheists don't believe in Christianity or any Religion because they want cold hard proof and there is NO way to prove any religion. I say just leave them and alone and let them be. Its not your job to convert Atheists to Christians. All religions are persecuted Christians are not the only religion that gets persecuted. You've told them about God/Jesus and you can stop now. Just go on about your life and stop trying to help Atheists change their mind about the existence of God.
2007-01-22 00:24:14 · answer #8 · answered by . 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Here are a few verses that might help you out.......
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And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil
John 3:19
With this verse I remind you that people generally want to be left alone in their sins so don't be discouraged if folks don't want to hear you or are hostile to you and your message.
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"Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."
Matthew 7:6
There comes a time when you need to stop your efforts and accept the fact that men love darkness more than light.
Do not let the Gospel message become a source of derision!
You have a Pearl of Great Price; the Gospel Message and those who continually refuse it are to be left alone to their own ways.
This is perhaps the hardest message for Chrsitians to understand but if Jesus calls them dogs and swine (and He is the one who knows hearts and thougths) then we need to stop thinking we're better than Him.
Remember that even the disciples were told to shake the dust from their sandals if people refused their message!
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Thos verses were not meant for Atheists, Agnostics, Free Thinkers or whatever they're calling themselves now but I'm sure they'll have lots to say about it.
Just remember, most of their "logic" and alleged "scientific proof" actually stems from humanism which is man saying "We don't need God" and then putting themselves in His place.
I'm not trying to discourage you from doing what you're doing, just trying to keep you sane!
People find these posts easy to sound off on because it's done in the safety of their own homes where they wouldn't dream of saying some of the things they do in person.
2007-01-22 00:59:15 · answer #9 · answered by digheyzeus 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Hello young Christian,
PLEASE, Continue to do so. The most good that any of us can do is to spread HIS WORD. The best way to do this is thru personal evangelism which is one-on-one in front of the person but in the absence of that ability this medium will at least allow some conversation with those in need. If they are not interested, they can choose not to read our responses. Keep your faith and your heart, GOD expects that. Have a great week.
Eds
2007-01-22 00:25:34 · answer #10 · answered by Eds 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Pose your questions because anybody, Athiest or Christian should be looking for the truth in their life.Remember that Athiests are considered to be in the 10% minority. Something like 90% of the worlds population believe in a Great spirit of creation. From the Australian Aboriginals to the Eskimos to the Jews, Christians, Muslims etc. Just remember don't cast your pearls before swine.
2007-01-22 00:29:36 · answer #11 · answered by oracle 1 · 3⤊ 3⤋