Christians: do we write off atheists too easily?

Question

An atheist asks a question about what we believe. It could be about prayer. Or God's goodness. Or the probability of a worldwide flood. Or free will.

Odds are, we've heard it before. There's not many new arguments circling around. So we give the stock answer we've been taught and move on. Or if you are like me you roll your eyes and don't answer the question at all. You think "Oh look, they think they are being creative and original and are going to change my mind. How cute."

Is it fair to write them off like this? If these questions are asked repeatedly, shouldn't we give them SOME consideration? What if they are on to something?

I think a lot of time we're afraid to question our faith because we fear the end result will be, as it has been for many, complete disbelief. Does it have to be? Or can we find the best of both worlds?

If a valid concern is raised by an atheist, as they often are, is it right to just ignore it and continue believing the way we always have?

Answer 1

No, it isn't fair at all. Some of their questions are genuine. Others are asked in order to provoke us. ("Isn't it stupid to believe in Jesus rising from the dead?")

Atheists are very intelligent, and they have very logical, scientific minds. For the most part, I respect and admire them.
They have given me pause for thought over and over.

The ones who seem to hate us so intensely disturb me.
The ones who have no respect for my beliefs disturb me as well.

They help me to strengthen my faith because I DO question some things, and I have to think about WHY I believe what I do. They have helped me to see that a lot of what i believe is based on faith. Is that bad? No, it isn't.

Thanks to you , atheists. I appreciate the opportunity to contemplate my beliefs.

Answer 2

I have tried (and will continue) to answer the best I can. I do my best to explain the knowledge (as little as it may be) that I have. I was an atheist at one time. (more like agnostic really)

But sometimes the questions are more like a statement on a soap box than a genuine question wanting a true response.

To continue to ridicule, instead of genuine questioning and answering, gives a sour taste in one's mouth and unfortunately feels like a waste of one's time.

Having said that, I will always attempt to answer a VALID concern raised by an atheist as I feel it is our duty.

Answer 3

I don't write the Atheists off at all. I dislike it when others do. So thank you for posing this question.

Most atheists ask good questions. They are opportunities. If we can't answer them, we should walk away - and research the answer. Not get hostile. If we get hostile then we are no better than the few atheists who offer all out attacks on Christianity.

We should NEVER assume that all atheists are the kind who attack Christianity.

For the most part - those who most solidly validate Christian miracles are atheist scientists. They are very critical and as such offer the very best YES when no natural cause can be determined for a miracle.

Answer 4

While I'm not christian, (nor atheist) I think I have an answer for this. I think it's good to actually put thought into what they are asking. They are challenging what you believe and what you were taught, not because they think you're stupid, but because they want to understand, and on some level, help you to understand. In the same respect, you do the same. But their challenging questions do not help you to understand, they help with something far more important. They allow you to grow spiritually. By constantly questioning what you believe (if you actually do put thought into what they're asking you) they are forcing you to reevaluate what you believe and why. This allows you to come to a higher sense of understanding of your faith. It prevents stagnation and stunted spiritual growth. Personally, I think all the different sects, the atheists, the christians, everyone....we need one another to grow. It's good for our beliefs to be challenged regularly.

Answer 5

How is this for non stock answers?

1) God does not want everybody.
2) Jesus told everyone that God didn't want everybody.

So then the person reading those things are challenged to think differently. They often think that God wants them, when He might not. They MIGHT feel all alone then. If they feel alone by those aforementioned statements, they MIGHT begin to wonder about God being different than they were told. God is not sitting there on His throne in heaven wringing His hands over people's rejection of Him.

God set His ways firmly in the Bible. We all can see it. It's there for any who can read. Even in Braille. So if God's Spirit is working in them they might begin to worry about what they say, and how they recieve the Good News. There MIGHT be a glimmer of repentance born in them, and they MIGHT reconsider their current tact.

So the style I am representing is hard to hear, but it is the truth, and it is shot at them point blank. It's their reaction, not mine, that becomes the key to whether they condemn themselves further, or being the road to salvation. If God's Spirit is working in them, then they will stop their mouths and begin to understand that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Answer 6

Hi Sweetie,

No I think that if it an honest question then they deserve an honest anwser. I noticed that alot of questions asked towards christians that test their beliefs, and help another understand, get met with lots of mean, smart, sarcastic anwsers. No real question should be met with hostility, nor ignored, I think everyone deserves the right to know, regaurdless of how silly the question is.

Answer 7

I like your question. I'm Agnostic, so I'm not quite Athiest yet not quite Thiest and it is really annoying when I ask a genuine question and I get a rude answer from either the Athiests or the Thiests. It's nice to know that there are people that are out there that aren't afraid to question their own religion; for better or for worse.

Answer 8

The Prophets and the Saints-the servants of GOD, testify of a glorious unending world of joy and power promised by THE LORD GOD to mankind who will be transformed as gods or LORD and GOD over universes of THE LORD GOD's creation unto Omega . On one hand, the BOOK OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL was written before our physical time began with two opposing sides and thus, wtih a great chasm in between. And who are on one side and who are on the other side are not mine nor yours to give but THE LORD GOD only; as HE was the one WHO wrote about the characters of this Book. Likewise, the Prophet Daniel said what was written must be fulfilled. Thus, everyone's concern is one's work for the spirit of deposit of guarantee to be transformed into angel-like in the soon coming Kingdom of heaven. And those on the other side of this great chasm are not our works to do nor are they are our co-wrokers. THANKS GOD; FEAR GOD; PRAISE GOD; GLORIFY GOD; HONOR GOD; LOVE GOD AND WORSHIP GOD.

Answer 9

Depends. Questions like "Can God create a rock so big he can't lift it" I want to ignore. Other questions like, "How can Jesus be God's only begotten son if we are all God's children" I answer.

Answer 10

Yes, we should believe what we believe and not change it because an atheist.It's not an atheist choice to change what we chritians believe.