What part do you think is the most persuasive, the most beautiful, the best guidance, or whatever?
2007-06-22 06:09:58 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Interesting answers :-)
2007-06-22 06:15:00 · update #1
As a christian, I have to be willing to understand that the Word of God isn't going to speak to anyone unless they have a willing heart. We can't shove religion down their throats and expect them to 'get it'. Just the same as they can't shove their beliefs down ~our~ throats and expect ~us~ to get it. We should show Christs love through our actions - show them by our love that Christ will love and accept them too.
It's not that they are less intelligent - it's not that they aren't capable. Listen to how other Christians speak badly about someone and really stop and wonder. If that's how Christian's act, why would they want to be one? We need to show love and compassion...not hypocrisy
2007-06-22 06:14:00 · answer #1 · answered by razor_sharp_redhead 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
When I was atheistic, I read the Bible to counter fundamentalist nonsense. I began with the begets, and begats, which would seem at first to be the most boring part. I drew charts, and graphs, and eventually had a very large image to study that was far more practical as a study tool than the chapter and verse reference method. The family tree of the Bible, includes everyone in the Bible (except the devil).
When I was done, I went back the beginning, and read Genesis with much more appreciation. Whether you take my suggestion or not, start at the beginning.
2007-06-22 15:33:46 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What would be the point of trying to get them to read the Bible?
I do accept that most so called Christians would do that or want to do that to try to get others to be like them. However being a "NO" who does read the Bible all the time, I am convinced that a start with the Bible or insisting that the Bible is the answer to an atheist is just a waste of time?
With the 4th word in Genesis 1:1 being translated to God would surly cause anyone who does not accept that there is a God to form the wrong conclusion in my view.
Yes, I do accept I as the only "NO" I know, I may have a different view. However I do accept the fact that all are entitled to their own view. Thus I do not try to make others like me. I only express my view, how I arrived at it, and stop there.
Thus I can only answer your question with the answer of none of it.
2007-06-22 16:35:31 · answer #3 · answered by cjkeysjr 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't see how reading the Bible without the Spirit to explain it to them does much good. All they see is stories, inconsistencies, and contradictions.. I have spent hours trying to get many to see what the Scripture is telling them but without the Holy Spirit to guide them I find it to be a waste of time. I think the best thing to do with them is show that what they see as truth to actually be riddled with holes. That it can't explain the beginnings of life. The only through a divine spark could life have it's genesis. That evolution is nothing more than sudo science. That it has less evidence to support it that Christians have for the flood of Noah.. When these things can be clearly shown then Jesus and the Bible can be introduced.. Jim
2007-06-22 06:30:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Honestly I don't think if someone is an atheist by choice then they are going to be persuaded by Bible scriptures. Depending on how strongly they feel against gods or what their view point consists of, they are going to find ways to counter argue most things that are thrown at them. Plus, as bad as it is, a lot of atheist have read or heard more of the Bible than many Christians. I don't know what the best method would be when trying to persuade an atheist because it probably changes for each person. I do know that most Christians have forgotten that it is important to love everyone and not just other Christians.. It is easy to love someone who loves you and is nice to you and it is not easy to love someone who hates you and speaks against you.
And i love the book Velvet Elvis. It gave me viewpoints and ideas about the Bible and living as a Christian that I had never thought of before.
2007-06-22 06:20:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Gospel. Pretty much any part of that except for the "begats" at the beginning of Matthew are quite inspiring. That said, I don't think it matters WHAT you read. If you go into it with cynicism, anger, or bias then you are just going to misinterpret it or pick out things that contradict what you already believe. So what difference does it make? I've never met someone who believed in God simply BECAUSE he read the Bible. Honestly, the Bible is best understood by someone who has God in their heart already. You'll find God quicker inside yourself than you will in a book. Then the book is actually useful to you.
2007-06-22 06:16:42 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The book of John. The "Word" spoken of is Jesus.
John 1: 3-5 says: Through him (God) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness (unbelievers), but the darkness has not understood it.
Keep reading, it just keeps getting better and better!
2007-06-22 06:19:27 · answer #7 · answered by justme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recommend to anyone to read the book of John and ask these two questions: Who does Jesus say he is? And what does he ask us to do?
People need to get past all the things they've heard and seen Christians say and do and go back to the source. Too many people say they follow Christ, but don't. The most important decision we all must make is what we will believe about Jesus Christ and how that will affect our lives.
2007-06-22 06:15:16 · answer #8 · answered by happygirl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first 3 chapters of Romans.
The gospel of John
The gospel of Luke
and if they have time - the book of Acts
In these they have a sense of the historical content as well as the fundamental message
2007-06-22 06:32:52 · answer #9 · answered by Steve Amato 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Book of John.
2007-06-22 06:12:12 · answer #10 · answered by Dark Angel 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Something to think about...: I was reading about the history of psychology today, and alot came clear...in our schools and unis we go as far back as the Greeks, who "philosophized" about psychology (as if psychotherapy was the only approach to psychology...)
And the rest - Egyptians and Sumerians..-are considered folklore or mythology or something. I mean we don't take those cultures seriously with regard to their understanding of psychology.
It seems obvious why : we want to brainwash western civilians with the bible story. People would see the similarities with all ancient knowledge if we showed it to them and this would de-mystify the bible completely.
We need to wake up and see that we're being played.....!!
2007-06-22 08:22:25 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋