If each person was born with the free will to accept or not accept your beleive or the truth or whatever you want to call it, then why when an atheist tells you that they do not beleive, you insist on trying to change his mind?...All he is doing is exersizing the same free will that you promote!..what are your thoughts?
2007-06-26 15:51:09 · 29 answers · asked by hdy 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
and yes..i know I can not spell...get over it
2007-06-26 15:52:07 · update #1
I can change no one's mind.
I only talk to people and answer the asker's question to the best of my ability.
Only God & Jesus Christ can change the heart & mind.
And that is only possible IF the person WANTS it.
I am ONLY a messenger, offering an introduction and an invitation. People choose to accept the introduction and take invitation or not. If they do, God Almighty/Jesus Christ takes the meeting...not me.
2007-06-26 16:01:12 · answer #1 · answered by faith 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a theist, and I never could understand why anyone would try and convert an atheist to believer status. The way I see it, they've arrived at a decision to reject God and any belief in him. What really doesn't makes sense is why atheists feel a need to come into R&S and ask questions of any believer about anything concerning faith or God. After a while, the easy inference can be drawn that there remains a doubt within them as to whether or not they're really sure about their non-belief position. It's like I've said on numerous occasions that I don't believe in space aliens, but I'm not going to go and look for people who do just so I can argue with them. Unless, of course, there is some trace of doubt in my mind that I may be wrong and they really do exist. Then, I could see searching for those who do believe in alien existence and debating the topic. Just in case, mind you. Doubt is a miserable place to visit or be stuck in.
2007-06-26 23:03:36 · answer #2 · answered by RIFF 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not all Christians think that way. I for one think that free will is God given and if you choose to turn from God then that is your God given right. He is always there to take you back should your wish to turn back. If not then you certainly will be happy with your free will choice, Or Not?
Many Christians are enthusiastic about their faith and are taught to give that knowledge to the world. They are encouraged to share their information, some to the extreme and border line obsession. Jesus said he would make us fishers of men. When you fish, you through out the bait and if the fish does not bite, you move on to the next spot. Some think they are so right, that they won't take no for an answer. They wish to harpoon a gold fish, so to speak. Don't be too hard on those who feel they are doing God's work. Some are taught that if they don't try, then they will not reap the harvest in Heaven because God expects interest on what he Gives us. Certainly they don't want to feel guilty and you maybe wouldn't want to stand in their way. Maybe it would be kind to just to remind them that you are not interested,and turn your back if you are an Atheist instead of giving them an argument. After all if you know you are right, you don't need to argue. God wishes none should parish, but if you uses your free will to turn your back on him, In case he does exist, you have made your choice and I certainly don't feel sorry for them. I think they have every right to make their own mistakes.
I for one will never stand in an Atheist's way because most have made up their mind and you are not going to change them, so as soon as I find that out, the talking is over. I respect their choice.
Rev. TomCat
2007-06-26 23:18:34 · answer #3 · answered by Rev. TomCat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An atheist does have free will to choose not to believe. But as a Christian, I desire everyone to know the God that I serve- I am excited that He gives me a choice to know Him. You are right though, I am not responsible for how anyone responds to God's love and grace. You can choose to believe or not- I could ask this question in reverse= if there is free will then why do Atheists complain when we share what we believe? It does go both ways.
2007-06-26 22:57:16 · answer #4 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
GRS, we don't have the ability to look to God for salvation on our own. If we did, that would put us in charge of God. Some people believe that but I don't. You have to look at man as a damaged being, that can make day-to-day decisions, but none of them lead to God. Therefore free will is nothing to brag about, we still need a Savior..
Therefore, if anyone is going to do the choosing, it's God. And He has a Book of Life. And we don't have access to it, therefore we try to change the atheist's mind. If God has so chosen, then he will change the atheists mind and heart, we have nothing to do with it other than to participate in their salvation -- we don't claim any success for ourselves in saving anyone. We just have a joy in our hearts and want to share it, that's all.
2007-06-29 11:25:02 · answer #5 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God has given every human being free will to decide whether they want to choose him or not.
When a Christian tries to share the gospel with an atheist, we don't do it because we insist on trying to change their mind. We love people, so we want them to enjoy eternal life in heaven with us.
And by the way, we can only present the choices as we know them (and as the Bible gives them). We don't force atheists to believe in Christ. We'd LIKE them to, but God gave them free will and it's up to them to decide.
2007-06-26 22:58:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not a question of free will when Christians try to convert an unbeliever to the Faith. It is the love that the Christian have to thier fellow men that they do it. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." (Mark 12:33). It is for this commandment that all People to first love God. Christians do not want anybody to go to the everlasting torment in the lake of fire.
2007-06-26 23:01:54 · answer #7 · answered by d1754 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Holy Spirit MUST testify to the good news which is truth, which is for all the people. You can’t put the Holy Spirit in a box and hide it under your bed. Jesus warned believes not to do this in Matthew 25.
2007-06-26 23:16:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe in an omnipotent, omnisciencent God--so I am not so big on the "free-will" belief.
I will tell someone what I believe and will counter their objections (if I am able without consultation) but I don't think I have ever insisted that they believe or that they change their mind.
My God will change it if He desires, with or without me.
2007-06-26 22:58:39 · answer #9 · answered by Me 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are correct about the free will not to accept. However, Christians are told by Jesus to go into the world and tell everyone about Him. Because of His love for them. That is what we are doing. We don't mean to bother you. Just to inform you.
2007-06-26 22:57:04 · answer #10 · answered by 4HIM- Christians love 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋