Christians: Would you encourage a person to be atheist if you honestly thought it would be best for them?

Question

I really don't think many, if any, Christians would encourage a person to believe as they wish.
The reason for this question: I met a gentleman (Christian) who was going through a particularly hard time. He had contracted viral meningitis, and was left paralyzed. He was blaming the god of his religion for his problems. This fella is not exactly super bright and has little, if any, education. With his health and lack of medical knowledge, I really believe that he NEEDS his faith. I explained that this is a medical illness that is beyond our control, and that no god nor demon had anything to do with it. After a while he started to agree with me. I then encouraged him to go to church and at least take some comfort in the fellowship. The last time I saw him, he was smiling and inviting me to go to church with him. I explained that I do not share his religious faith, but if i could make the time, I would love to attend with him. How many of you would do what's right? I know it was right.

MumOf4: thank you for showing the intelligence so severely lacking in many. Have a wonderful day, and keep doing what's best for you.

8 Track Mind VT: My hat's off to you for doing what you know to be right, rather than what may be expected.

Tricia R: Apparently, you did not read the question carefully. I do NOT attend any church. I am NOT a Christian. I did not invite him, but encouraged him to attend since he believes. I did agree to attend with him, when my schedule allows.

Answer 1

Yes, I would and I do. My sister is an atheist. I've prayed about her, and I feel that her (atheist) path right now is the best one for her, spiritually speaking. I believe there are attributes in her personality that mean she needs to feel independent of God in order to be able to develop the attributes that she lacks - such as standing up for herself, and being true to her inner self, instead of the external pressures.

I have told her my feelings on this... ie that I believe she is still doing the right thing, as far as God is concerned, in spite of the fact she doesn't believe in Him.

I can certainly see the sense in what you say. My Dad believed that God hated him... He went completely nuts. I could never understand why he didn't just say, "God doesn't exist" or chose some other belief rather than continually pitting himself against his own beliefs. It would have been so much better for him to become a true atheist, rather than living in bitterness.

Answer 2

Great honest question. You certainly did what you felt was right for him, good for you. I realize this as well. My mother is like this. I know it would not be healthy to try to take away her faith in her religion for she is not the kind of person who would know how to function without it. She would be utterly devastated and that's not something I would want for her. She struggles enough through life.

I would love to meet the Christian who can see this from our perspective and honestly say -- yes, I would encourage a person to be/stay atheist if I understood that is was the best things for him/her. While I've not met an atheist whose world would be shattered by someone trying to talk them into religion -- it's the concept of understanding and allowing that I see many Christians lacking. While they see their actions and words as being helpful and good, because it's what they believe. The world would be a far better place if more people realized that allowing others to be different and believe in something different is not only okay, but it's good, whether you agree with it or not. It's the lack of this "allowing" that makes some people become violently persistent and dangerous about pushing their beliefs onto others, which is what gives fundamentalists (of any kind) a bad name. It's not their belief system, it's the attitude and actions that go along with it.

Answer 3

I'm a Christian and no, I wouldn't encourage anyone to be an atheist because I don't believe that it is the right path for anyone. To me, it is like encouraging someone to jump off of a skyscraper (with no bungee cord) or step in front of a speeding car.

But, on the other hand I'm not into forcing people to do anything. I believe that everyone must make their own choices, they decide what they are going to do, and it is not for me to interfere with that. I can share Christ with them - but beyond that my call is to love them. Given your scenario, if the tables were turned, I would share a bit about Christ. But I'd focus a lot on loving and appreciating this person.

There are Christians of all different levels of intelligence. One of the reasons I believe that we all need Christ, regardless of our intelligence, is because if you really think about it - the "facts" that we know change a lot over time. I was once editing a dissertation that dealt with the analysis of historical science texts and their relationship to the eugenic movement. It was quite interesting actually -- because much of what was "cutting edge scientific wisdom" in 1879 has been rendered obsolete today. And of course what is cutting edge today will be rendered obsolete in the next few years. Yet God is always the same. But if you don't believe this - I'm not going to sit around a plot how to convert you - or yell at you - or try to force you to do something that you do not want to do.

Answer 4

Wait a sec
First you ask if you thought you would encourage them to be an atheist if you thought it would be best for them and then your next line is that you dont believe a christian would encourage a person to believe as they wish?

If how they wished to believe is atheism then why would a christian have to encourage them to be an atheist?

What you consider is right isnt necc what is right. All people respond differently. You might have very well told this guy to talk to the doctors more and read some journal studies of how sometimes the disease is cured. How do you know he wouldnt have been smiling at you the next time he ran into you in the supermarket? You are assuming giving him the opposite advice of what you agree with was what was best for him. You dont know that. It was your opinion as to what was best for him at the time. That is what someone thinks is best for someone is, an opinion, whether it is in agreeance to your beliefs or not.

Answer 5

I think it is a real shame that some naive Christians, (and well-meaning pastors), seem to believe in a new convenant with God. The deal is something like this. "Lord, I'll believe in You, accept Jesus as my Saviour, and follow all Your rules--and in return you will make sure that neither I nor anyone I love will ever get sick or hurt or killed or have troubles in life". It is a horrible belief, because covenant-based faith is shattered when something bad happens--as it does to us all to at least some extent.

As a Christian, more devout than some, I believe that faith in God in some form or other is better than no faith in God. I don't care what people believe, as long as it is something.

In other words, it is not up to me to think what is best for another person. Everyone is capable of making his or her own decisions about God, without getting preached at or encouraged to believe or to disbelieve any particular religious tradition.

Answer 6

Okay, it sounds like you were working from kind intentions. I did kind of take away from it though that the man was "not educated", "not bright", and needed his faith. Now, as a chrisitan given the belief in an eternal consequence I would have a hard time coming up with a situation where I would think that my encouragement would be for the best. What situation could you come up with (and I don't mean to be snide but are you thinking of the inverse). This individual is too smart and educated to be a christian--he/she is wasting themself on this archaic, imaginary faith...I should give them a nudge the other way.

Like I said your intentions seemed kind, and not because they happen to agree with the stance I hold, but because you seemed to be acting out of empathy.

I'm just not sure how to work this scenario the other way.

Answer 7

Interesting question, I just saw it linked from your other one.

Personally, I try not to get bogged down in labels. I try to find the truth from my own perspective, and to the extent that I can, I try to help others see the truth from their own perspective. That, to me, works better than trying to force my perspective upon others.

I always tend to think of an Orthodox priest who said basically "Jesus said he was the Truth and the Way to the Father. Anyone who seeks Truth will end up in the arms of God whether they realize it or not." You have to have a lot of confidence in the greatness, the forgiveness, and the transcendence of God to accept that idea from a Christian background. But I believe it, personally. I don't think things as trivial as "atheism" or even "death" are that big of barriers to the mercy of an infinite God, really.

Peace to you.

Answer 8

I go to church with my wife for the xmas service. I guess that some people would call me a hypocrite for doing this. I don't know at what age, level of intelligence, or desperation one needs to be at when it becomes a waste of time to try to change them to a more rational line of thought, but it would seem that in the case you describe, you did a good thing.

Answer 9

I find that many Christians hold out this hope for a better afterlife than the life they have here.......thus I cannot think of any situation where it would be appropriate to tell a Christian to be an atheist. I think many exChristians find atheism on their own and that is great, but to tell a person who has put all of their hope into this never never land that they should not believe in anyone or anything beyond this realm is almost like telling them not to have hope. I absolutely believe that I should tell others about my faith or lack thereof, but telling another that the god you have pinned all of your hopes and dreams on is a fake and that there is no god and that they should be an atheist leaves them a little bit lost in my opinion.

Answer 10

Since your question is a hypothetical, my answer must also be. If in fact this case existed, I would not only encourage them to become an atheist, I would do so myself.

However, I know my Lord personally and know his love for me and all persons. I want everyone to experience such limitless, unconditional love.

There is nothing that could happen to change the fact that I know someone.

This is why it is so difficult to explain to those of you who have never experienced this. You cannot see through the door into which you must pass. You can't take a sample from the other side. You just have to walk through the door of Faith. Jesus is there waiting for you.