why don't christians realize that they themselves keep atheists from converting to christianity?

Question

with all the contradictions and different answers to the same questions and lack of intelligent answers to the tough questions, not to mention lack of proof (and trying to pass silly things off as proof - like rainbows and bananas) you aren't giving atheists good reasons to convert, in fact you're doing the opposite, you're proving their case for them!

you can't convert them by saying you'll go to heaven for believing or hell for not, because you need to get them to believe in those things first.

i'm wondering if the christians would do a better job converting people by not trying to convert them in the first place. your thoughts?

p.s. i'm not against christianity, and i'm not atheist, i'm just trying to point something out.

worship jesus girl - since when is christianity the biggest religion in the world, did i miss that memo?

dixie - no, you're right, free choice is god's fault

Answer 1

i agree.. If you have a point, you need to prove it and back it up with good proof. when your reasoning is shacky, the people become that way... and the just come up with their own reasoning.. I am christian and i totally agree with your statement.. i cannot sit here and try to prove a point if i dont have all the facts sorted out.. an attorney cant go into a courtroom and try to win a case with out studying his materials before hand and setting up a strategy.. good one
:-)

Answer 2

Christians rely on faith about many things that we don't have answers to and that is something an atheist can't come to terms with or understand because everything has to be factual in their minds.

And just as atheists want proof that God exists, they also can't prove the big bang theory or any other rationale on how they got here.

It's true that many Christians have a way of turning others off, not just atheists but, each person is responsible for their own lives and souls and even though there are many who are offensive in their approach (and not acting like a Christian), there are many others who are kind and loving and they can't reach many of them either. The atheist have already made up their minds to be against Christianity and until they change their hearts and learn what faith is, they will never change.

To Adam's Rib ~ good insight and well put. I totally agree there is but one true religion but the devil has caused so many splits and very few study their Bible's and don't know the difference. Sad, isn't it?

Answer 3

Evolution is an intellegent answer?!

Right now there are at least three different SCIENTIFIC views on evolution of which the APE thing is losing ground. Even science is starting to wake up to the fact that mabye APES as a root source is not the correct thing.

I, like 2 billions, was indoctrinated by SCIENCE and SCHOOL into believing PLUTO WAS A PLANET and the Solar System has NINE PLANETS.

Don't give me malarcky about intellegent answers. There are no absolute truths only opinions and political bodies that enforce them to create a belief system.

Pluto IS a planet
Pluto ISN'T a planet

The voters have decided science.

Science by a show of hands NOT IMPERICAL EVIDENCE, but a show of hands.

Even scientists aren't thrilled with that occurance.

Answer 4

I still wouldn't convert to Christianity. In one sense, you're correct, the Kirk Camerons and Jerry Falwells of this world most certainly make it EASY to not be a Christian. But I still wouldn't be a Christian, even if silly, delusional people like these two did not exist.

Now, if the bible actually MADE sense (none of this cramming every single animal onto a boat crap... you'd have to find polar bears, penguins, kangaroos, etc.. none of the stuff you'd find in the middle east, for one) and a man didn't part the red sea and there weren't talking snakes, donkeys, virgin births and Christians stating the earth is around 6,000 years old when fossils clearly state otherwise... yeah, I'd give the bible some consideration. But it doesn't make sense. And all of those things are scientifically impossible.

I think this is a great question, though, by the way. Keep questioning!! That's a HUGE reason Christianity turns me off, you're not allowed to question much of anything.

Answer 5

I agree with the statement about "Christians" trying to "convert", any body. In most, if not all, it is the blind leading the blind. ...I feel though sometimes to be a friend to someone, they must understand the ground you stand on, and you should reciprocate. Philosophically speaking, I have never put demands on other peoples beliefs. Some of the best conversations I've had with a friend about God, were shared with a bottle of good Irish whiskey. We drank the entire bottle that night, and then the sun came up. I have more respect for someone that has beliefs and is willing to share them, with the understanding that we can agree to disagree, than a wanderer that would choose to listen to my "intoxicated" ramblings. Basically, the question categorizes a multitude of beliefs, into two stereotypes. Which if judged, I belong to neither. Gotta go back to the dentist today, a good dentist who has never discussed any kind of belief to me, other than the price of repairs. Just felt like answering! for what its worth.

Answer 6

Yes, I find that to be frusterating. As a devout Catholic, I would love for all to experience the thrills that I receive at Mass, Communion, and in Eucharistic Adoration. However, I try to remember that Our Dear Lord is in charge, and that I'm to work for him. So instead of pumping 'You gotta convert, you gotta convert' into people's heads, I just try to be an example and be ready to answer questions when asked. If I don't know the answer, I honestly tell them so, but I do look into it in order to find it.
I think it's really imporant mainly to be an example. If you're living your faith as best you can, then you're going to be joyful, no matter how many sorrows are in your life. When people see that joy, then they're going to want it, too, and they'll start asking questions. If you know your faith, you'll either be able to answer or find the answer. At some point, they might fall in love with the faith, too. That's my opinion, anyway ;)

God Bless!
InLoveWithCHRIST!!!

Answer 7

because you have people from different religious backgrounds answering... the same reasons there are scientist who do not believe in the big bang theory and evolution (yeah there out there)....*One reason here is like when it comes to being gay where the bible lets us know for a man not to lay with his own kind (another male)... Fundamentalist take this literally hence against homosexuality; whereas, other Christians will take the bible metaphorically and believe that our God is so forgiving he could never send anyone to hell (which he will) hence for homosexuality because no one is going to hell anyways right?.* (the answer is hell is real I don't want to confuse people ;-) )

Another reason is because people quoting different scriptures of the bible to answer a question then giving what they think on that scripture... For someone who never studied the bible before (not saying its you) would be confused in that case.

theres different reasons, but i believe in the Bible and if people would look in the bible rather than imperfect people they might get what they where looking for.

Answer 8

Riegan, the sad thing these days is that people say they are not embarrassed of christianity but they embarrass christianity and keep other people from getting to Christ.
Our actions can determine a lot, as well as our words.
To tell the truth if some people just kept silent, more people would come to know christ, but their actions also have to show christ like behaviors.
But it's also on the heart of the atheist, if they are blocking anything from coming in you won't be able to convert them even if you say really wise stuff.
that's just my view.

Answer 9

lol. You're probably right that its their own behavior proving the case for them. But you won't convince Atheists to become Christian because they aren't rebelling against Christians. They don't believe. First, you must prove god exists, then the Atheists will convert. Atheists are ruled by their mind, not by their hearts.

Answer 10

If I can answer honestly ... and I know I will get thumbs down from everyone. But I never care about that anyway.

This site has many young people - probably early to mid teens - who are in that stage of constantly having to arguing over so much stuff and having to prove they can "one up" another person. If they are older, they never moved past that stage of faith for one reason or another.

And, let's face it, many atheists are the same way on here.

Personally, I don't try to convert. I like to share my experience and knowledge. If someone converts, great. But it's hard to share your experience when it's hard to find good questions to share them on. The site has just become full of questions ranging from "why do people believe in God without evidence?" to "why do atheists deny God? Do they want to go to hell?" type questions.

It's annoying, but I stick around for those gems of people that do honestly want to know the answer to their question rather than finding someone to give the "Best Answer" to who reaffirmed every incorrect statement in their question.

Matt