Believers in God: How can you convince an Atheist that God is real? What are your proofs/persuasive methods?

Question

I am also interested in any personal anectdotes you many have about convincing a non-believer to change their minds.

By the way, I am an Atheist. I'm just interested in the opposing point of view.

Answer 1

well,you must first ask the atheist why they dont believe in god. and then you have to be able to prove to them by using the bible that god does exist. Ask them questions such as" humans are very unique creatures. Our body is way too complex to have happened by chance,or by some Big Bang Theory..so how do you think we got here? Dont you think that their must be an intelligent creator?" Also,many of the prophesy's in the bible were written hundreds of years before they were fufillled. Humans cannot fortell such events. Only God can. All the sufering that we see today was actually fortold.(2 Timothy 3:1-5) things will continually get worse and worse,until God eliminates Satan,since he is the ruler of this wicked earth.(1 john 5:19) SO...you cant help the atheist,unless you know what causes their disbelief in god. Try to find that out first and get more details,and then post another question.I will probably be able to help you better if I knew the specifics of the situatioin. hope this helps :)

Answer 2

You can open the dialog with the question: "Do you know everything?" If the answer is "Yes" don't bother going on. When the answer is "No" the next question is: "Do you know 1/2 of everything?" When the answer is "NO" you can say "for the sake of argument let's assume you know 1/2 of everything."

"Is it possible ----- that God is in the other 1/2 of everything you don't know?" The dialog can go on from there. It would be helpful for the atheist to do some Bible study (not just reading) as well.

Good luck. Lots of people simply don't have open minds on the issue of God.

Since you are an atheist, is it possible God exists? If so, it might be important to really try to figure it out. If you are right - good for you. If you are wrong you might be missing an important part of life - perhaps with consequences that last beyond life as we know it.

Answer 3

The best "method" I use is to pray that G-d will send someone who is questioning their beliefs, or in need of answers to problems: to me. I only speak to others about G-d and salvation in the faith of Jesus the Christ; once someone has asked me questions about it.

Otherwise, you just show them G-d's love through the way you live your life. Your actions go a lot farther than your words. I have never just walked up to a person or gone to their door to speak to them about G-d's promise for their eternal life. I also never have the expectation of "convincing or converting" anyone to G-d's truth, that is the 'job' of the Holy Spirit. Usually when people ask questions about Christianity, they actually want to know more about Jesus the Christ, and how to become a Christian.

Unlike here on Yahoo! Answers, asking questions is done in a humiliating way with the hopeful goal of hurting people's feelings. However, when it comes to that type, we can just skip that question and move on to those who are sincerely seeking answers. The best thing to remember, when it comes to talking to Atheists, is that they are thoroughly convinced they have a superior mind.

To counter this put the debate in to true debating form:
(a) Atheists are more educated because they do not believe in G-d
(b) Atheists are more educated than Christians because they have a better education
(c) Atheists want to believe they are more educated then Christians

In case (a) in order for this to be true a person who becomes a Christian would lose all previously gained education. That person would have to go back to school to re-learn everything, because by becoming a religious believer; they have just made themselves uneducated. This is null and void, there is no way a person can logically just ‘lose’ their education by becoming Christian.

In case (b), for this to be true schools would have to be segregated across the nation, with Atheists and Christians attending completely different schools. But because Atheists and Christians attend the same schools and have the same teachers; this argument is then made null and void. Atheists can’t possibly have a better education than Christians, if they are attending the same schools and meeting the same graduation requirements.

So, now to the case of (c) this is the only logical reason that Atheists say they are more logical and educated, than Christians.

Another thing to remember when it comes to speaking about G-d to Atheists is to gently point out to them that there is no way to completely deny there is a G-d. They might not believe in the Supreme Being as we know Him: G-d (with a capital G). But they can’t lie to themselves about the fact; they have made science and themselves into a god (with a little g).

In other words, they have placed all faith in the belief that science is the Supreme Being. They believe with all their heart and mind that they are in control of their own life; they make all decisions concerning their life. This is noticeable when you read their statements and how they are centered on two subjects (self and science).

Answer 4

We are not responsible to CONVINCE anyone of truth. We are responsible to present the truth TO them , and what THEY do with it is THEIR responsibility.

Jesus came to seek and save the Lost. It is still HIS job thru the ministry of the Holy Spirit. FIRST, people must admit that there is a God before they can be saved. God says ALL people are without excuse as what He has created around them is proof enuff that He does exist.

Dont waste your time. Its simply NOT your job to convince anyone.

Answer 5

I think the question should be: How do you convince an Atheist that YOUR God is real? Atheist have their own way just as you do yours...it just doesn't contain your God or Gods. Some of you may percieve them as ignorant just as other percieve you the same. You should respect them and leave em' be.

Answer 6

i have no methods or anything of that sort. all i can do i just tell them how God has been good to me. the rest i leave up to that person. i only tell someone when they ask me. i don't use a soap box or "preach". I'm not going to change their minds. they can do that for themselves.

Answer 7

Unless a person is intellectually honest, there is no convincing at all. Anyone who maintains he is an atheist and not an agnostic is not intellectually honest anyway.

Answer 8

Why would I want to change someones mind?

There is very little we can say to change anyone's mind. Belief in a deity is a personal decision.

Answer 9

I have no "methods", and the Bible says to stick with the simple message of the Gospel. Paul said preach the Gospel, and let God handle it. If the person believes, great. If not, move on to the next. If it's a loved one, pray for them as you share the Gospel with them.

Answer 10

Frankly: in most cases you don't believe in God unless you were raised a believer, so save your voice and don't try to convince others.