As a Christian, I would like to know how unbelievers want us to answer questions about what we believe?

Question

This is an honest question- do not take offense by it PLEASE- I know some "Christians" can answer rudely but most of the time we are just telling our beliefs, and that we love God so much that we want others to know Him too. How would you like us to answer why we believe the way we believe. Just curious

thanks for honest answers, so far- however when we say what we believe, we have to speak of heaven and hell- because that is a huge part of what we believe- however I pray I speak it in a way, that would draw people to Him, not away

Answer 1

I am anxious to read all your replies. BUt I also know this. They may not like our words, and for that we are sorry, but God tells us to live the truth and speak it boldly, wihtout fear or compromise. They choose how they need to react to it, we dont. They can say , well what if they are right, maybe I better check into this. OR they can say Even it its true, I dont want to live like that, I dont want to know it, I wont hear it. choice is theirs. ITs a choice to believe and a choice to obey We never mean to be rude or sound judgmental. But we love GOd so much and we want to obey Him, and He tells us to live truth and speak it boldly, and we who love Him will always do that, no matter what the reaction, but you still dont have to bleivee it. I dont now how we can prsent it other than just say it, and try to show that we arent judging you, that we only love you and giving you warnings from God.
That is loving.Its unloving to not tell them. If they could only see it this way, they maybe wouldnt rebel against truth.
Lets all pray they will begin to hear us and see and feel our love and Gods too. Come on Christians, press on with JESUS.

Answer 2

This is a great question and I hope I can answer it in a way that doesn't offend.
I can only speak for myself but for me I want several things.
1. Don't insult my beliefs. This doesn't mean you can't disagree with me or state your opinions. It's more about telling me I'm wrong or that I worship the Devil etc..
2.I understand that your Bible means a lot to you and you feel it is the word of God, but it doesn't help me when you quote it to me. It takes years of Bible study and religious education to understand the Bible clearly. I have often taken passages the wrong way and appreciate it when this is pointed out to me.
The other problem with this is that if we don't believe in the Bible quoting it to us will do nothing to really answer our questions.
Finally, there are some people on here that simply repeat the same answer over and over for each question. This is in no way helpful in education me about their beliefs.
I hope this was helpful.

Answer 3

Probably with respect. Grace and truth is the best way! There are some fellow Christians on here that are immature and unsafe so their answers attack people. However many in the world don't want to hear the truth of Jesus, their need for Him and the consequences of their choices. Looking in the mirror sometimes is the hardest thing we do! There's some bad news in the Gospel of Jesus and that is He is the King and we are not so we must surrender our rights to be the King in both our lives and in life itself.

Answer 4

We must try as hard as we can to over look these rude and hateful answers from non believers! I have wanted to ask why unbelievers answer biblical questions! Such as "Please explain what Matthew 5:23-24 means?" The non believer will answer it by saying "It means nothing stupid!" Please forgive me God that is not my view nor my words.

Matthew 5:23-24 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the alter and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave the gift there in front of the alter. First go and be reconciled to your brother, then come and offer your gift."

This is telling us that it is wise not to have enemies, (we are all brothers & sisters in Christ) and that we need to make peace first.

Just thought that sense I brought this scripture up I'd explain it.

Answer 5

non forcefully.

I'm an atheist. I was a christian at one point, yeah, God's love and all that stuff, and "Him" (no disrespect intended) and then I had a burst of rationalism and decided that the faith didn't feel rational and felt exclusionary to me, and TADA! Atheist. Perhaps one day I'll be spiritual again, but I'll certainly never participate in any organized religion again: and the more my evangelical friends try to force me back, the less I want to give them the time of day.

Remember: most people know what they believe. I'm not "looking" for faith, and neither are many of the religionless friends I know. It's not that no one has reached out to us, it's that we have our own personal set of beliefs. Some of us are buhddists, some of us are atheists, some of us are even agnostic, but that does NOT mean we want to be convinced!

When I talk about faith with a christian, it needs to be done with respect. Respect for the fact that I'm confident and happy in my own beleifs, and I'll respect that my friend is confident and happy in her own beleifs as well. We can discuss why we believe what we beleieve or how it makes us feel, but understand that saying "because you go to hell if you don't" or something that disrespects our own personal beleif system is offensive. Yes, as an atheist I have a worldveiw that relies upon the lack of a known god.

Approach it as a pantheist. Remember, tolerence is key.

Faith is deeply personal. I'm glad people are able to achieve whatever works for them, and I'm glad you've achieved a method of spirituality, ritual and reflection that works for you, but never, ever try to imply that we're missing something because we don't want your system.

Answer 6

"How would you like us to answer..?"

Phrasing replies keeping in mind the vital difference between
"I believe this is true" and
"This is true."

The first allows for real personal conviction without automatically attacking different beliefs, while the latter is a discussion killer since it denies and dirsrespects the views of anyone who believes differently about the point in question.

If you use the first format, and its variants, your story and grounds for belief can be exchanged with those of others.
If you use the second, a split into two entrenched opposing camps is almost inevitable.

Answer 7

A quote from the bible or 'god is the answer' answers nothing. If you say that the bible is the word of god and the scholars all agree that it was written 20 to 325 years after Christ died and then voted on with the rejects thrown away, how can that be 'the word of god'. Please answer that with something other than some fundie bible quote.

Answer 8

Nandina- I've never heard anybody say that.- "If you don't believe what I do..."

When answers are given they are usually opinion. In fact almost always opinion unless they have a factual source.

Abbasangel- no matter how "they" want you to answer remember- "we are always to be ready to give an account of the hope that lies within us."- That's scripture and I don't care if people don't like me quoting to them. : )

**hugs** to you though!!

Answer 9

I'd be happy with people who answer with things like "This is what I believe" without adding on "and anyone who doesn't think like I do is wrong and should change their beliefs to match mine because I'm right and they're not."

Answer 10

Just state your beliefs. Dont tell me I'm going to hell, or make up some stupid crap, just say what you believe.