I have a friend who is atheist and no matter what i do i cant seem to get him to see what a feeling it is to be a christian?
2007-04-17 11:49:07 · 55 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Show him by your actions instead of badgering him with your words. Your actions will speak louder anyway.
When he sees you helping others, and being kind and non-discriminatory to all, and serving the poor and less fortunate, he will understand.
(You are doing these things, and not just proselytizing, right?)
2007-04-17 11:52:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I'd go for the "let your light so shine" approach. If Christ has given you joy, then be a joyful person.
There's a great story about a religious school opening up in a country which did not allow for proselytizing. The leaders of the school fully agreed that students would follow the law and not share their beliefs. The response to that was "But what will you do about the light in their eyes?"
You're friend may not say anything, but light is noticeable.
2007-04-17 11:55:16 · answer #2 · answered by daisyk 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oh no dear, youre very wrong. He can see clearly that it works... FOR YOU. This is most likely why he continues to be your friend, regardless of having a differing viewpoint.
Too bad you cant see that it doesnt work FOR HIM. If you were a true friend, you'd leave well enough alone.
EDIT: The problem with the above response is that, as an atheist, your friend probably already is helping others, being kind and non-discriminatory to all, and serving the poor and less fortunate already!
2007-04-17 11:52:11 · answer #3 · answered by ? 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Oh I see it already honey. If you care for your friend you should leave him along in his belief system. If you try to convince him you will just make him see what a total idiot you are. I am sure he already feels all the joy that reality can bring. He doesn't need all that fake self induced joy that makes you shout speak in tongues and pee your pants.
2007-04-17 11:59:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just because something makes you happy, doesn't mean it's true.
Try pretending there's a huge diamond buried in your back yard and you'll find it some day if you just dig a few hours each sunday. Doesn't that make you feel great? Why not believe it?
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Read The God Delusion, understand what religion is and how it works, and be freed from it forever.
2007-04-17 11:57:40 · answer #5 · answered by eldad9 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just live your life and show that joy. Whatever you do, don't proselytize. Nothing pushes people farther away from Jesus, and from people claiming to be "friends" than being the victim of repeated proselytizing.
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One question: If your atheist friend is similarly joyful in her lack of beliefs, are you going to abandon your faith for her lack of one?
In other words.. just because belief in Jesus makes YOU happy, please do not presume that everyone will feel that way about him. Your friend may already be happy, so.. just continue as friends, don't try to change her to your religion, unless you are willing to let her lecture to you about why she has chosen NOT to believe in the supernatural.
2007-04-17 12:01:40 · answer #6 · answered by Kathy P-W 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he doesn't share the same views as you do. Just let him be who he is and stop trying to push your views on him. We atheists hate that. I realize that you are just trying to help him and share the joy you feel but there is probably not anything you can do or say to make him believe.
2007-04-17 11:52:02 · answer #7 · answered by Maid of Constant Sorrow 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Maybe your friend already feels enough joy. Why do you feel your belief is the only way to feel joy?
If you really want this person to be your friend, just agree to disagree on this one. If you want to lose a friend, keep pushing it.
2007-04-17 11:53:02 · answer #8 · answered by Kat 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well first do not try to save him with words....that will just turn him off. I think that you can best influence others by your actions.
Respect his right to believe as he sees fit and if he asks about what you believe. ease into it. Nothing sends Atheists or we Agnostics running faster than the hard sell.
Oh yeah be willing to listen to his doubts as well do not dismiss them. A very cutie little Baptist missed out on her Chance to get me to attend services with her by pushing to hard, and not hearing anything I had to say.
2007-04-17 11:56:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You make Christianity sound like a drug! (Come on! Try it! You'll like being high!)
How about if you let your life, your attitude, your joy speak for itself, instead of trying to explain it all to him. If he really sees something compellingly different about you, he will want to know about it. Otherwise, allow him to use his own mind.
2007-04-17 12:34:32 · answer #10 · answered by skepsis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't bug him, i'm not religious either and i've been in this situation. bugging him is just going to make him think you have no respect for him. i understand you want him to feel your joy and join you in heaven but, people are as they choose to be and you can't change the way he views religion. if you are a true friend you'll let him see things for himself.
2007-04-17 11:54:35 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋