Does anyone else feel like they're talking to a brick wall when talking to a devout Christian?

Question

Not because they're stupid, no.
That has nothing to do with it.
But because they can't actually explain their beliefs,
but just recite what they learned at church/sunday school/quote the bible.
Does anybody else feel like this?

I've gotten a lot of people saying that it's not and then claiming that they can, in act, explain all of their beliefs but in my experience, they seem to THINK they are making sense, while everyone else is just like 'ummm..'

and I never said god doesn't exist and that I can prove it.
I am an agnostic/jew. I believe that the concept of god is highly improbable, but am waiting for proof in either direction. Which will never happen.

First of all, I did not come here to start a fight.
Whenever I have observations, I like to ask and see if anybody agrees with me or disagrees, I like having a wide range of opinions, whether or not I agree with them.
Second of all, being an Agnostic Jew is not necessarily a contradiction. Technically, I am Jewish. By choice, I am Agnostic. But I still respect and am proud of my Jewish heritage.
Have you ever heard of Unitarians? Thats a religion, I believe it is a sect of Christianity, I know Agnostics, Atheists, Christians and Jews who all identify themselves as Unitarian as well.
A person is not limited to one religion.

Answer 1

I'm in high school, and I have a friend who is Roman Catholic, and every lunch hour, we have a debate on God and if he exists or not. What I find anoying is that he presents the same arguments over and over again, and I keep giving my response, but he refuses to even give it a second thought.

Answer 2

I believe in salvation through the grace of God which was brought about by the blood of Jesus Christ, who died and rose again and therefore the world is now under grace if the world wants to accept it. I believe in the Trinity of God, which is three personas or functions or manifestations (pick one) of the same life force which we call God. It's not three separate entities, but One.

Now, I'm betting that was pretty much the answer you got from any Christian, but like most non-Christians on here you didn't want an explanation - what you wanted was some kind of "proof" for these beliefs. And you wouldn't accept any "proof" they might give you anyhow, because all you wanted was a fight. Which is why you come on here in the first place.

Maybe instead of wasting your time coming on here to bash Christians, you should spend it reading. I'd recommend the dictionary, for a start. To be a Jew is to follow the God of Israel, the God of Abraham. To be an agnostic is to be unsure whether there even is a God. You can't really have them both at the same time. It's kind of like being a little bit pregnant.

Answer 3

I am an Independent, NO-denomination Christian Pastor (I have been Ordained with several well-known denominations over the years) and that is my biggest aggrivation.

This comes from My own observations and travels and preaching in several countries around the World.

1. You walk into a Church and only about 25% of the people (have a Bible with them).

2. Only about 1% open those Bibles and read along with the Pastor as "The word of God" is read.

3. Many churches now have "Pew" Bibles, these were (supposed to have been) brought in for 2 reasons...
A: For people who forgot their Bible (sometimes)
B: And for People who may not be Christian and may not have a Bible to bring.

Pew Bibles are now used in (3) different ways.
A: People who forgot their Bible (2%) of the time
B: New Visitors (3%) of the time (new visitors use them more than the (Christians).
C: Coloring Books for the Children and note pads for the ones who can write. (95%) of the time.

MOST Christian DO NOT know the "Word" of God.
They may know what the Bible says and they may read it everyday BUT THEY DON'T KNOW "THE WORD OF"

They will take as gospel what the "Pastor" says (even if they know it is NOT what the Bible says.) and they will hold to that rather then Pray and be guided by the Holy Spirit and Study the "Word" for themselfs"

Answer 4

And yet I can ask the same question:

Does anyone else feel like they're talking to a brick wall when talking to a skeptic, scoffer or other kind of atheist?
Not because they're stupid, no.
That has nothing to do with it.
But because they never actually LISTEN to the reasons why Christians believe what they believe, even AFTER it's been explained 100's of times already in R&S.
Does anybody else feel like this?

You know, the thing is, I HAVE explained very carefully and in detail exactly WHAT I believe, and why I believe it. I did NOT grow up in a Christian environment. In fact, I was always taught that Jesus was a liar, possibly a lunatic, and above all else, dead - very dead.

But when I had an encounter with Jesus, I couldn't deny His existence any longer. (It's amazing how that once you actually meet Someone you can no longer deny His existence!)

And yet, when I HAVE explained my beliefs, et cetera, I am given "thumbs down", because the atheists, et al, do not WANT the Truth of what I'm sharing. I have said it over and over again, and I will say it yet again: people don't believe in God because they don't WANT to believe in God!

Jesus said it like this, (paraphrasing), People refuse to come to the Truth because their deeds are evil and they don't want to be exposed by the Light! (Jesus said "I am Truth!" He also said "I am the light of the world.")

So, I'm sorry, but you're question is really yet another attempt at tearing down a straw man that you created in the vain imagination of your own evil heart!

Answer 5

You just said we are not stupid. the question is why won't you listen? If scientists cannot explain the human brain or figure out the universe, don't you think maybe it isn't stupidity, but a God so awesome man cannot comprehend it all? Maybe that is why Christians can't explain it? Unlike evolution where one lie is built on another. Evolution has crumbled, but no one will admit it. Why can't they explain evolution in plain terms a child could understand? because it doesn't work. The reason that it is recited in school is the same reason we have public school so that we don't have to relive it all to understand it.

Answer 6

I think of that as a compliment. Thank you! If I am a brick wall in my beliefs that means I am strong and not apt to move or change. I am happy to explain my beliefs as are most Christians. We believe in Jesus, the Son of God who died as a sacrifice to take our sins away. All we have to do is accept this in our heart. Jesus is as real as sunshine. I hope you will seek out the truth and not be closed minded about God. I pray at this moment that God be revealed to you in a clear way within the next 7 days.

Answer 7

What about every other religion in this world we live in, why not find fault with the religion that states " Anyone that does not believe as we do, are infidels, and should be killed"? Thus, be headings with steak knifes on TV... There are many other beliefs that are just like Talking to a brick wall...

Answer 8

If you feel that strongly PLEASE don't talk to us. If you want to know what we believe ask. I find Atheists use the same tired arguments all the time
Hitler was a Christian
All war is made by Christians
Your Bible is full of inconsistencies.
Why would a _____ be sent to hell because He didn't hear the word of God.
Your God is a sky fairy
Then, when the Christian starts to explain I hear..Oh you just learned that at church/sunday school.
Do any other Christians feel like this.

Answer 9

I had a friend who used to use different arguments on my beliefs depending on the situation. Because I didn't go to church every week, he said I couldn't call myself a Christian, or even a non-practicing Christian - because Christians go to church and pray every day, etc.
But when we would talk about evolution, abortion, homosexuality etc - he would tell me I wasn't allowed to believe in those things because I was Christian and that it was wrong because I did. And his excuse for saying that those things were wrong was - "I am not prejudice, BUT because I am Christian I believe those things are wrong".

That was like talking to a brick wall because you could never finish what you were saying without being interrupted and told you were wrong without any evidence or support for why my beliefs are wrong.

Answer 10

but am waiting for proof in either direction. Which will never happen

You are a law to yourself. Think about if you want to live with doubt all your earthly days, and be satisfied with a what you see is what you get philosophy.
Some Christians will explain and yet not be understood, while others will explain with elements of misunderstanding, and so it is hard to digest.