1. Tell him he's going to hell.
2. Treat him with kindness.
*Note that neither of these will work on someone like myself. I view neither threats or kindness as substitutes for evidence.
2007-10-28 04:07:46 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Offer cookies. Cookies work for EVERYTHING.
Ok, seriously...You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, as they say.
Personally, I think the whole "you must do this or you'll BURN IN HELL FOR ALL ETERNITY" makes me think "CULT!" Specifically, a cult invented by human leaders to keep the masses in check and scare them into obeying the rules. So....telling me I'm going to burn in hell is just going to make me RUN like hell in the opposite direction.
Either way, this atheist does not foresee converting to any religion in the near or distant future. And if I ever do, they damn well better have cookies.
2007-10-28 04:15:13 · answer #1 · answered by War Games AM 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion : Choice #1 will turn the intended convert off and possibly turn them in the exact opposite direction you were trying to lead them.
Choice #2: is better. At least you will probably get their attention long enough to put forth the good news of salvation.
But as you say neither is really the magic pill. But perhaps a combination of both coupled with information and truth is actually the best way. Whatever way it won't matter if we are not heard and Christ is not given the forum to bring salvation.
2007-10-28 11:17:28 · answer #2 · answered by Nancy B 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Since neither works on you.
Christians only teach the Gospel to those Willing to hear and learn...
1.) Hell: Only God knows the heart of a person....
2.) Conversion is totally up to you as to whether or not you surrender yourself to Christ or not...The rest is God's job to complete you...You forgot one thing: There is always the example of your own life, without hypocrisy
3.) The Word of Truth, Love with kindness towards others, being hospitable and friendly. It does not work wiith sociopathic persons...
2007-10-28 11:21:31 · answer #3 · answered by ShadowCat 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A true born again christian is not here to try and convert any one; they are here to preach the gospel(good news about the world tomorrow and the Kingdom of God), and tell you to repent of your sins. Now after hearing the gospel, you know about God and Jesus Christ, you have been told. After the whole world has been told the gospel, then and only then will the world end. That is the real work of a christian ; get out the good news.
2007-10-28 11:21:23 · answer #4 · answered by Herb E 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I would probably say the most effective method is the one employed by the inquisitioners in Spain a few hundred years ago. There's a sure way to ensure somebody will accept Pascal's wager, just make it apply--just as painfully--in the real world as is illustrated for the afterlife.
2007-10-28 11:19:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
What makes you think you or anyone else has the right to convert anyone? I know absolutely NO ONE who has the same belief. Everyone hides under an umbrella of truth - called religion, but the truth is different for each of them.
Everyone has a different idea or belief in a god. Why should your believe be the only one? What gives you the right to be so condescending - What makes your belief better than mine?
2007-10-28 11:22:48 · answer #6 · answered by Tricia R 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Burn a few of their relatives in the town square then ask if anybody else doubts that your God is real.
That has been the most effective technique so far, and every major religion has employed variations on that theme.
2007-10-28 11:12:01 · answer #7 · answered by Y!A-FOOL 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Christianity has proven that 1 works best because if they don't convert they can send you directly to Hell.
2007-10-28 11:14:30 · answer #8 · answered by S K 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
1. Tell him he's going to hell.
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. Should mankind be allowed to go on in ignorance to continue in sin that will cost him his soul and have it cast into hell?
Or should he be made aware of what will happen to him if he dies in his sins?
2. Treat him with kindness.
This goes along with the above. It is not the will of God that any man should perish. He loves us. And it would be mean, it would be unloving to not tell those lost that if they don't repent of their sins, they will be cast into hell where they will spend all eternity in torment.
So if a believer has the love of Christ in him, he will love those who are lost enough to tell them they need to be forgiven of their sins so they don't suffer for all eternity.
Is it a love of compassion to tell or warn one if it can prevent him from being hurt? Yes, I believe so, even to the extent of giving your own life.
There is no greater gift then to give your life for a friend.
2007-10-28 11:18:20 · answer #9 · answered by heiscomingintheclouds 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
2.
2007-10-28 11:15:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋