Is the idea not for believers (in whatever faith) to attract people towards your faith? Do you not think it is somewhat counterproductive to antagonise aheists?
2007-05-23 00:43:42 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am not christian, muslim or atheist. I just believe that by fighting with atheists I would lose my chance of showing them the truth.
Though I do not agree with everything the followers of Christ or Islam says, at least I will listen if you do not insult me. (Only aimed at those who seem to think insults are the best way to speard your truth)
2007-05-23 01:14:41 · update #1
Amen.
2007-05-23 00:50:13 · answer #1 · answered by Tony C 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Actually I do not consider it counterproductive I go further and consider it a meaningless exercise, a complete waste of effort. A true Atheist has decided that they do not believe in God because they have weighed what facts are available and arrived at the conclusion that God is not supported by logic. God is also not excluded by logic but that is beside the point. However if a person is asking questions and still in the process of defining their belief then they are not a true atheist. They may claim that belief but they obviously have not decided on it because they are still searching for answers. This person may be shown that the existence of God is just as likely as the lack. That every argument to deny the existence of God has a counter argument or is invalid due to lack of facts. I wouldn't want to antagonize them but I would meet their arguments with logic and point out any area where their logic is flawed. If they take this as antagonizing then I'm sorry because that was not my intent. I won't change but I regret thier misinterpretation of my motives.
2007-05-23 08:00:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if we're on the same side (!), but what you say is true. To communicate well Christians should be able to take a look at their own faith and the cliches we throw around so easily from other people's viewpoints. Paul was a very good example of someone who used this principle to convey his message to the people of his time.
2007-05-23 08:00:33 · answer #3 · answered by Amelie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With all respects in everyday life I feel that most christians hold a level of respect to
the non-believer in person, but yet really
intervenes more agressively as just a
avatar on a screen.
I have many friends that are athiest and we respect each others grounds in person.
We are not like on a real personal level but
we enjoy each others company as thinking
individuals in expanding our knowledge in
everything we can think of concerning
work, hobbys, home improvements etc...
My christian friends are on the personal level as into deep thinkers when it comes to
creation, prophecy and life in general.
2 totally different people.
I could see where an offense could build
up.
2007-05-23 08:12:59 · answer #4 · answered by PENMAN 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll have to ask John the Baptist, he antagonized Herod and lost his head.
Or ask Jesus, he antagonized the unbelieving priests with the most antagonistic statemts.
Perhaps they loved those they spoke to enough to risk their lives. They sensed a small chance that the transgressors would see their folly and be in the Kingdom.
And that is why I invite people on the street to view http://abiblecode.tripod.com Among other things, it proves Jesus is the messiah. Yes, Christians run the risk of being offensive, even if it causes their death.
Blessings, One-Way
2007-05-23 07:50:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Anyone who claims a belief in a superior being seems to antagonize so-called atheists. Buddhists, Christians, Moslems, and others in secular progressive nations such as China and Cuba are not forcing their beliefs on anyone, but are killed or otherwise punished for daring to go against atheistic government policies.
Who are the antagonists? If a believer is a clown and a rube, why the anger against believers? Why torture yourselves, atheists, by acknowledging someone may dare disagree with you?
2007-05-23 07:51:30 · answer #6 · answered by redskin 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
ah, hell, like one fella says, it's all entertainment but i would notgo as far as the other guy about atheists being in a burning building and trying to save them.... that's pretty extremely warped! however, i don't expect anyone to join me in bungy jumping just because i get a thrill out of it. it's my path and mine alone... if any person of religion or not want to change a person's life, they can adopt as many kids as they can (unless they already have a bunch), have them educated and teach them how to be independent, and give them lots of love and support... and if they do so, then i believe their religion or non-religion is worth considering and would make a considerable difference for our communities and the future. otherwise, it's all lip service without any authentic, heartfelt action....
2007-05-23 12:03:41 · answer #7 · answered by ogg08 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is good policy for believers to sow suspicion and mistrust of atheists among believers... because atheists spread that which is most dangerous. This has been recognized for hundreds of years, as we can plainly see by looking at what one of the most influential Christians in history had to say about it:
"Reason must be deluded, blinded, and destroyed. Faith must trample underfoot all reason, sense, and understanding, and whatever it sees must be put out of sight and ... know nothing but the word of God." ~ Martin Luther
"Reason is the Devil's greatest whore; by nature and manner of being she is a noxious whore; she is a prostitute, the Devil's appointed whore; whore eaten by scab and leprosy who ought to be trodden under foot and destroyed, she and her wisdom ... Throw dung in her face to make her ugly. She is and she ought to be drowned in baptism... She would deserve, the wretch, to be banished to the filthiest place in the house, to the closets." ~ Martin Luther
"Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but -- more frequently than not -- struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God." ~ Martin Luther
"There is on earth among all dangers no more dangerous thing than a richly endowed and adroit reason... reason must be deluded, blinded, and destroyed." ~ Martin Luther
"Reason should be destroyed in all Christians." ~ Martin Luther
"To be a Christian, you must 'pluck out the eye of reason'." ~ Martin Luther
2007-05-23 07:52:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Antagonize? Are you kidding? These people are an ENDLESS source of entertainment! Why do you think so many atheists are here? Who the hell needs an XBox?
And let's call it for what it is : it's not believers as a whole that attempt to ruffle our feathers, it's CHRISTIANS. Pagans, Wiccans, Jews, Muslim, Scientologists, agnostics, etc...not one of them tries to "save" us. These people make me laugh every day, and rarely are trying to.
2007-05-23 07:48:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
The problem is that the truth antagonises atheists. The vast majority don't set out to deliberately antagonise them. It's just that if we say anything remotely approaching the Biblical truth, they get uncomfortable about it.
2007-05-23 07:47:10 · answer #10 · answered by sonfai81 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Truth can be a painful thing. But not believing it does not render the truth invalid. It's still the truth. I think that what aggravates atheists is our strong commitment to our faith in our God. They see no reason in it, and it drives them nuts.
2007-05-23 07:51:35 · answer #11 · answered by singwritelaugh 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋